Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-03-30
Railroads and Public

W. tiN Inc CHAIRMAN OF inc board the f.
w lantic Coast Line and the president of
tn" richmond. fredericksburg and Potomac
should have any objection to the publication
Of the plans drawn by Harry Fra zier for tbo
construction of union passenger station at
Fifteenth and Main Streets. is difficult for
the ordinary mind to comprehend.
The Timcs-Disputch asked the privilege of
presenting those plans to the ltichmond Dublic
as matter of news interest. 1t is under
stood Mr.. Frazier contends and other eng
neors agree. that he has solved the enpineer
Ing and traffic problems connected with the
use Of the Main street site. If that be so the
public should have opportunity to know tho
facts in detail and so he enabled To form, ~,
unbiased opinion
II the West End station he Drcfera hlc-ir
indeed, il be demanded-as the Atlantic
Coast Line and the Rich mond, Frcdericksburg
ana iOtomac officials contend. no harm will
be done by exhibiting whatever advantages
the other site possesses, If. on the contrary,
the Frazier scheme meets every technical
objection and promotes public convenience
we should all know OF it. so that those of us
VINO have stood with the Chamber of Com
m"rce III approval OF the Broad Street and
RoSencaih Road solution may have oppor-
tunity to weigh contrasting superiorities
But Mr.. Walters and Mr.. White do not
admit Richmond 10 any Interest in the final
adjustment of these differences. In response
10 telegraph request for permission 70
print the Frazier plans. Mr.. White wires that
compliance is impossible. because it would
be inconsistent with the resolution of nv
directors expressing preference for West
Broad street Mr.. Walters is more en-
phatic Impossible for us to give consent
i'll any form" he photographed even to sug-
gestion OF Fifteenth Street as . station for
the Atlantic Coast Line"
ferhapS Mr. Walters and Mr.. White have
not mad occasion TO become acquainted with
the fact. but the position they now occupy
became untenable for railroad magnates scv-
erai years ago. The location of a passenger
station is not solely matter of railroad
convenience The people Of Richmond have
an Intimate interest in il and right to make
themselves heard. All railroads are quasi
pupIic corporations, exercising TO some de-
gree the functions of government, and profit
ing by the special privileges they enjoy and
the growth and prosperity Of the territory
they traverse. The communities serve them
IN as true sense as thcy serve the Communi-
TICS Duties and obligations are reciprocal
nus game OF supplying adequate passenger
iacllltles for Richmond will not be PLAYED ont
until all the cards laid on the table and
the whole proposition discussed in frankness
aud mutual good Will Tie Richmond Fred
erickSburG ana pcluuac particularly should
recall mat tn" game goes on in the house of
us friends and ihat The house owns an in
'"reSt III It's stack. 1t would never do for the
richmond Fredericksburg and Potomac. un-
der such circumstances. ia keep any cards nm
its sleeve.
When Representative Fess mentioned the
name o! Justice Hughes in the House there
"cr" demonstrations OF approval by some Of
the Republican members. If anybody had