Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-06-24


throes of war
Martinsburg joined last night with
many other cities and towns OF the
state in celebrating West Ntrginia's
ffty-third anniversary with an elabor-
ate banquet under the auspices OF
the Martfnsburg4 Business Mems
association at the Y. M =. A. gym
nasium More than 200 repre-
sentative citizens Of the city and
county were present, all breathing
an air of patriotism and proud that
they belong to such a prosperous
commonwealth The invocation was
by the Rev. r. l.. Wright While
there was considerable dsappoint-
ment because of former Speaker
Cannons inability to be present,
those who appeared on the speakers
program entertained the large mum
Der Of banqueters in splendid style
At S15 Attorney Wade G. Kilmer.
POSTMASTER, announced the purpose
of the gathering, stating that through
out the state preparations for the
celebration OF our admission into the
Union had been made, and through
the courtesy OF the Bell Telephone
company messages would be received
from several places as well as ono
from President Wilson. Following
this announcement all turned to the
menu prepared by the Aides Auxili-
airy from Berkeley county products.
Martinsbure's Greeting.
AS each city was to send So
word greeting to the parent associa-
ton at Charleston at 80 Toastmaster
KiImer sent the following: TN keep,
ing with the spirit OF the proclamation
OF the governor, the metropolis OF the
eastern panhandle extends greetings
and best wishes to her sister cities,
and begs to assure them that in the
renewed efforts TO make better,
grander and greater state, Martins
burg with her $1,000 loyal citizens
enthusiastically enlists."
Mr.. CampbelPs Address.
G. RI. Campbell, assistant to Pres
ident Daniel Willard OF the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad company, was the
first speaker, and announced he would
tell something about 1.-THE b. e. o.
and Martinsburg." He congratulated
the Business Mems Association upon
their splendid banquet. the interest
they had manifested In the states
anniversary and the patriotism so
much in evidence He said wherever
he went he found Martinsburg men
leading in the business and profess
sional life, and every newspaper he
read found something about Martins
burg and Berkeley county
The first report fled by the b.
& o. was made September 80, 1863,
but It was submitted te the stock
holders until September 10, 1865 be-
cause settlement had not been made
with the government. During 1863
the main line OF the road was operat-
ed only months and days; that
% bridges that year were destroyed;
spans OF the Harpers Ferry bridge
were burned and As miles OF the road
destroyed between Dufiields and Pax
tons Cut.
On October. 20, 1862 the engine
houses at Martinsburg and Newberg
were burned, the hotel at. Martins
burg was given over to the flames
and 92 miles Of telegraph lines de-
stroyed On June II, 1863 the Con
federate army occupied 107 miles OF
the road west, and he also reclted
a number OF incidents in connection
with the civil var.
In 1853 the gross earnings OF the
company were 1859 .28951, and the
net earning s5,016,513.1 Today the
b. & o. employees in West Virginia.
1900 men, and has a payroll OF ST.
100000 annually, while it also pays
into the state for supplies taxes, etc,
10000 Ia 1915 the company paid
in taxes on system 3.503 900. In 1916,
1886 900. The company paid into
the state treasury last year $S43, 900
to Berkeley county for taxes 100000
The assessment OF the company's
property in Berkeley county is s105,-
600 per mile.
Turning to West Virginia Mr..
Campbell said that last year there
were mined in the state 100000
tons. OF coal, making West Virginia
rank second in production. We have
sos 900 acres of coal estimated
at 10000 tons per acre. We have
6OS,OO0O0 tons yet undeveloped.
Mr.. Cmapben spoke of the relation
OF the B. & o. to the state. He said
the company was our best customer:
that the state and company had
grown up side by side, and their in
terest were mutual.
He spoke Of the great business the
B. e o. is doing today. Of how its
president was working day and night
m give tho naOnla thu hast copvfoa
possible, Of his deep interest in West
Virginia. and how anxious he Is to