The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-06
alexander Hamilton Disap-
proves Of Main Street Prop
osition as lmpracticable
DECATUR AXTELL
FAVORS DOWN TOWN
Chamber of Commerce and
Travellers Protective Asso-
citation Proclaim Their
Stand for Union De-
pot in East End

Representatives of all the railroads
entering Richmond graced the coun-
Gil chamber with their presence last
night at the meeting of the special
council committee appointed to con-
slider the movement toward the es-
tabiishment Of union station In
Richmond. Remarks were heard
from high officials representing the
railroad companies, representatives OF
the chamber OF commerce and the T.
p. A.
After consuming three hours or
more. Chairman Disney adjourned the
meeting, on motion of Alderman
Grundy, to Friday. June 18th. at
which time representatives of all as
sociations will be heard for and
against a union station.
AT the meeting last night Decatur
Axtell, Of the Chesapeake and Ohio,
spoke f'rs. He felt that the present
Main street station could be en-
larged by acquisition of adjoining
property and fitted to suit the re:
v,uirements Of the situation.
II think" said Mr.. Axteli. that
the logical location for a general sta
ton Is lust here. The business OF
Richmond is in this section. The
postnfice is near The malls may
reach their destination quickly. and
the travelling public. who have to get
in touch with the business conditions
may land close 10 their objective
points With union station else
where the travelling man, who comes
here for business. will be far from his
poln. Of vantage. and the mails may
be from half an hour to more from
the doors of the office or the other
place OF business"
Room For All.
w l.. Seldom, assistant to tho pres
fcent of the Seaboa-d Air Lime. rrac-
tiraily agreed with what had been
said by MFR. AxteN. n answer to q
question hv Chairman Disney he said
that in order to accommodate all the
railroads eentering or passing through
Richmond. about twenty tracks would
be necessary.
I'm order TO reach this end" said
Mr.. Seldom, "the Main street station
might be easily enlarged by the &C
uuirement of property not only on
the west side Of the present station,
but on the east side as well To my
mind there In plenty of acduirahie
property The business OF the city
seems to me to be practically CEN
tered in this part of the city. This
business Is not going away. with
the opening of the new bridge II viii
naturally increase. In order TO &C
commodate this. believe that O
union depot, II the city is to demand
such a station. could not be placed IN
q better location"
Henry p. Spencer. vice-president OF
the Southern. said that his line han
died little through business
Most OF our traffic" he said. SIS
local. We can handle 1t very well
where we are. So far as our road Is
concerned, we cannot see that II Is
entirely essential to enter into any
agreement for union station But
we are willing to consider the mat
ter. and viii look into the PROPOSE
ton at the proper time. when 1t Is
determined what the other roads may
do. Our action will depend entirely
lupon what may be done by the other
companies. whether In the West End
! or AT the site at Fifteenth and Main
streets"
Mr.. Hamilton Talks.
Alexander Hamilton, OF the Allan
tic Coast Line. favored the West End
Hts line ceased after
reaching the north side OF the river,
hut under an agreement and a lease,
the Coast Line operated over the
.'connecsing line" which runs from
Ryrd street station to Eiba, and then,
lin its progress north used the tracks
OF the Richmond. Fredericksburg and
Potomac Eoth his line and the r..
r. and p. use the "cor Meeting line''
undor contract.
$50 far as cur company In cor
cerned." said 'Ir. Iamil.cr, I'VE
would prefer the West End site. i,
would cost US considerable to run
into tho Main street station. because
of grade. That grade is much hiChe-