The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-10

and NAPLES being set out on about a
mile of the streets.
Then realizing more than ever before
! the disadvantages to progress caused
by the lack of transportation facili-
ties, and recognizing tho Importance
! OF having a depot which should not
only he credit to the town. but would
be- attractive to it's citizens rs we'll Az
strangers passing by. the league has
been lending every effort to attain
that object.
! Up Against the Railways.
The EtrSinian Railway has made
{. Sedley n rcguiar station. but. they have
done all they could Owe believe uuin-
tentionaily) to drive business from the
place, us the house In which they store
freight was built for Toulouse,
which would only comfortably house
about nifty chickens, and was mistaken
for such chicken house by visitor
| l. the town Il few days ago. The house
| is fastened by n switch lock, and cnu
he opened by any ono having n switch
key. the floor being In such condition
that chickens and pigs can enter ut
VIII. At this time there is no agent
mere, but until rccontiJ they haa a
| merchant agent" who was supplied
with switch key. ard received no
pasNior ms services, except pass over
their road. 1t being Il prepay station,
the railway claims IT Is not responsible
| Tor goods after they leave their train,
! or until 1t Is received on their ira ils
ut this point; therefore u shipper can
not get u bill of lading for his goods I'M
III signed by the conductor of q train.
Under these arrangements. the people
cannot afford to patronlze the road at
| TINS place, where no one assumes any
responsibility for their freight, whe-
| ther going out or coming in, only
while 1t Is actually on the train a
short while ago travelling merchant
delivered into this little "toolhouse..' d,
load OF freight to be shipped to Nor
! folk, and after waiting several hours
for the merchnnt-agent, who was away
from home. and after finding tina, he
could not get Il bill of lnding until tho
conductor passed tho next day and
signed same. he reloaded his freight on
his wagon and hauled II n distance OF
| ten miles to Franklin, because tho
merchant-ngent could not sign a bill of
| leding.
| While the virginian gives the best
| passenger service to Norfolk and Suf-
folk Of any road through this section
| giving the public more hours at either
| place than the other roads, yet rather
than stand in heat or cold, rain and
storm. without any protection Of any
Kind from the weather. without know
Ing the latcness of the train people
| are driving long distances to other
reads. while the merchants and farm
ers living within from two to three
miles OF Sedley are being forced TO
! hnul their freight eight or ten miles
to and from other railroads, on ac-
count OF the above named incon-
vonionces. and from lack of facilities
! TO load or unload their goods.
The Rouds Disagree.
The Virginian Railway has promised
I ftrz.G
the Surry, Sussex and Southampton
Railway will extend their frelgh, and
passenger service to Sedley. They still
state mat they are willing to live up
to this proposition. This proposition
appears to be entirely unfair, both to
tho people of Sediey und the Surry
Sussex and Southampton Railway. The
Nirginian also states that unless this
| arrangement Is made, they cannot say
when. II ever, they will build depot
| hero. certainly not at any early date
claiming that the freight and passenger
receipts are decreasing every month in
stead of increasing. How can they eX-
| pect it to 10 otherwise when the above
| facts are considered.
This Is rather unique situation,
two railroads, neither of which are
doing anything to encourage business
| for their roads, or to accommodate the
people. each appearing TO be waiting
| for the other. and while they are wait.
! Ing the traffic which IL legitimately
theirs Is being carried 10 other roads
The People Howl
With the one idea In view OF getting
a union depot. or depots, erected Oft
deal of cost and trouble. planned a
grand rally for February "a Invita-
lions were issued 20 many prominent
men In the state. There were present
on Nthat date many representative citi-
zenH from all phases Of public life
court officers. State Senator'S. members
| from the lowor house. Representatives
from Congress-, speakers on aBrIcul-
ture and prominent railway officials.
| also representatives from nearly every,
wholesale house in Petersburg; the
| Chamber of Commerce, Travellers Pro-
/ tective Association, United Commercial
Travellers. together with other business
| organizations.
Our people were sorry not to see a
better representation from the capital
city at this me sting. There was only one
Richmond house represented This will
be vast new territory for Richmond
| and Petersburg trade when 1t is open
ed up. at this meeting many ablc
speeches were made, and were
thoroughly enjoyed by the large crowds
present, a splendid dinner was served.
'
err to make the day an enjoyable one
for all present.
Although no direct promise was OBJ
Ntained from either road passing through
:. the town, Ii was easy tn see that moth
ing short of what this community feels
I to be their rightful heritage would sat-
isfy them. and 1t. is certain that scnti-
mcnt has been aroused to such a point
! that these roads Will in the near flu
/ ture have to take some action 10 give
the town what all so kcenly feel 10 be
| justly due It,
The natural resources and advant-
ages which lie at the very door of Sed-
/ ley, situated as it Is i'll the rich county
| of Southampton, in the heart of the
peanut and Smithheld ham belt, with
| Il surrounding back country, which al
though to q great extent undeveloped.
| is composed OF soils suitable to the
| cultivation and profitable production OF
nearly all farm crops and capable of
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