The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1914-07-09
Discusses Proposed Ex-
tension of Blue Ridge
Railroad
WILL IMPROVE
THE SERVICE
No Hope, However, Held Out
For Immediate Extension of
the Line To Knoxville,
Tennessee q

-
conference waa held yestcrday at
the home of A. S Farmer with Hon.
Fairfax Harrison president OF the
Southern Railway. and officials OF the
chamber OF commerce. the purpose of
the same boIng 10 discuss the possi-
bllity OF tie completion OF the Blue
Ridge railway to Knoxville The con-
ference had been arranged several
wecks age. NJ F}i
The nature OF the, conclusions
reached at the conference were conf
Dental. aud nc statement, was given
out regarding the same by either
President Harrison when seen at
Williamson by u reprrtar for The In
telligencer Just before fiis departure
for washington. or by officials Of the
chamber of commerce, when asked
about the matter last night. II is un-
derstood. however. that the conference
was generally satisfactory.
To Improve Service.
MIR. Harrison stated, however, that
the policy Of the Blue Ridge would be
to improve the service over that line
and make the same fully up-to-date
and standard in every respect; the
ROAD TO he ,ballasted; and steel equip-;
ii, tssa Gssns1s,ag is sai pss ts
very serious obstacle before us right
now which places the extension OF the
road over the mountains. iEsthe indef-
mite future
Tennessee river neAr Uusfinell, not
far from Knoxville. Tho Aluminulb
company of America, one OF the two
largest aluminium companies In the
country, has certain rights In the
gorge. which they wish to develop.
spending approximately $10,000,000 on
the improvements. 1t Is necessary for
the railway company to have these
rights for us to extend our road
through the valley and tits necessary
for the aluminium comnany to have
the rights owned by the Souther
Railway company for them to go
ahead with their developments. and
the board of directors Of the Southern
Railway company have been making
searching Investigations hoping to ar
rive at some conclusion that will be
In favor OF the railway company. The
conditions are serious, and are NO
shaping themselve" up SO that some
satisfactory arraE sements can possi-
bly, be made. but how soon I do not
know. ! would not attempt even to
make guess
Have Other Plans.
eve will continue to exert our ef-
forts to work out some plan," declared
President Harrison. "and. In the
meantime we propose to give you and
the people along the Blue Ridge rail-
way the best service possible. The
placing Of the gas-electrtci service on
the road recently Ia only One Of tho
moves Of our policy toyincrease and
better the service. We have other
plans which will be made
known and made effective from
time to time. Capt. Anderson, SUPER
intendent Of the road. urges ballasting
the road between Belton and Seneca.
This we expect TO do In the immediate
future" NJ
Concerning New Industries.
Discussing the possibilities OF build
ing up certain lines OF new industry
and commerce along the proposed ex-
tension Of the Blue Ridge, President
Harrison seemed very much Impress
ed with the prospective hardwood
timber business which such an Ak
tension would secur.. ns Il is known
that large tracts Of vsr.t fms hard
woods. suitable for the best floorings
and furniture are l0ca;et IN prox-
unity - tho proposed extension He
was impressed with The coatinuec
growth Of the cattle and sheep iI dus-
try in the foothills and on the n ,nu-
tain ridges. and With the future ros-
sibility Of securing packeries f.. this
section. supply to be received largely
from thu territory along the proposed
extension. In fact. all these featu-es,
including the great tourist trade
which would he built up,3coal 81 ip-
ments. etc were favorably consider
cd. The extension Of the Blue Ridge
means ultimately the accomplishment
Of many new things. The tremendous
demand for more cattle and packeries
are an incident thereof, due to the un-
precedented shortage Of the same In
the west, can be made q great Indus
try In the highlands OF thiS section
and a great source otS tonaage to the
railroads. and this day. ID ratidly COM