The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-06-02
Arbitrary Stopping Of Traffic
on Underwater & Western
Causes Serious Situation
RECEIVER SUMMONED
BEFORE COMMISSIONER
Must Show Cause on June IA
Why Situation Should Not
Be Ameliorated by Resump-
ton Of Traffic

ShATacteri1tne the situation along
ths line Of tho Tidewater and West
fprn railroad A. having become de-
piorabie since the operation Of trains
OVER the road was suspended, that
people arc suffering from want Of
food for themselves and live stock.
and that industries built up and de-
pendent on the road are facing ruin,
y. B. Blanton and D. 8. Hobson, both
~ PowhatAn county. have petitioned
the state corporation commission to
have LAngbourne n. Williams, re-
ceiver Of the Tidewater and Western
railroad. appear before that body and
show cause why he should not re-
store service. Acting on the petitions,
Chairman c. b, Garnett. OF the COM
xpisston. yesterday issued an order,
AummoninS Mr.. Williams to appear
before the commission on June IA,
1877. at 10 A. n.
Charge More Than Doubled.
Ii is asserted by Mr.. Hobson. who
10 n lumber dealer at BelonA. that
the receiver will not now place cars
for the shipment of lumber unless a
In advance. The charge heretofore was
ss6o. /, in claimed, and II IL impos-
aible for the dealer to make use OF
railroad facilities at this excessive
price. The petitioner claims that the
increased rate Is not In accordance
with that allowed by the commission.
knd that punishment should be I'M
NJ Hobsos 1Srsksr sisssss s,ssx 10
has 100000 feet Of lumber on the
line OF the Tidewater and Western
xx,hf~ he ~ az 70 IA
ilrer to hts customers The only May
he can reach a railroad Is by going
cross-country abont eleven miles to
Rock Castle, but most Of the year the
road over which II Is necessary to
travel 10 impossible. Mr. Blanton.
the other petitioner. who IL in the
Marty business. IL Ballsyille, Pows
hstan county. stated that he ii fac
inK ruin on account of the suspension
Of shipping facilities over the Tide
water and Western. and uniess II Il
u quickly restored his business Will he
destroyed. Mr.. Rlantnn- furnishes
milk to Richmond. and since the
trains have been discontinued this has
represented . total loss to him
Since LAnEbourne NJ. williams has
been the receiver Of the road. the
petition Of Mr.. Hobson states. he has
tNSn unxbte to make shipment of any
'1lumher over the road. and that ~ \
Consequences his business Is practical
n Aectroyed, because no has been
forcsd to aba don the operation of his
Awmill. and by reason OF this
abandonment q number OF men en-
ployed BY him have been thrown out
People Ieft In Bsd Fix.
'sYour petitioner further shows and
charges" the document reads that
fhis general situation exists through
the whole section OF the country in
vhtch he lives, for several miles
|x11cne the limo Of the Tidewater and
western railroad. and many Of the
/ xoople living In said sactinn are even
Il worse situation. for unless they
Aays the means OF transportation by
automobile, they are practically I'M
nAle 10 procure food for themselves
81 livestock. and = number Of them
| Aevo already been TO your petitioner
80 urged him TO LEI them have an
Ittls - . oushei Of corn In order
= Keep theis stock alive.
sYour pstauonsr alleges that the
| naeue4aon along the line Of thiA road
= absolutely dsptorabls: that there
$3.50 poeoons who are actually suffer-
- FOR food for themselves. their
XHnitteo and live stock. and IN addi-
3Son. owing TO their inability to ship
mt ruc4t eh1ngs - they have fer sale.
fhev ere unable 10 procure the means
~ buy them. svsn II they were access
efbie. and In addition thereto. the
farmsfs who have to uss fertilizer In
~ conduct Of thar farming opera
| fions would hs rendered unable to
make 1 crop this year"
the right 1T railroad to suspend
without first notifying the
/ meonie whom II serves. and making
/ - proper provisions to take care
a thar hus.nNss in denied by the Pc
fst.,r Il IL claimed that tho public
Sss,s rseter Of railroad In such that
~ ufvrs It's eatrons q voice In IT.
IA enaEerse:,t and q suspension Of
nrArstions ahould not be made until
E9rey were consulted.
kesuilty of voluntary ManstnuShter.
Easa 80 ~,-,saifA Tam. Lima -Ruah