The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1921-12-02
LITTLE OCK[AWAHA VAL
LEY R. R. PULLS THROUGH.

While the general government act
ed most magnanimously towards our
big railway systems and gave them
generous aid in putting them on their
feet after the hardships endured dur
ing the years Of the Great World War
and replenished their purses by the
loan OF many millions OF dollars. the
poor little 0cklawaha Valley Ry.. was
jumped on by our state officials as
il il had been an migrate and a slack
err and no mercy was shown it what
soeyer
Although it was shown Dy figures
Of its operating expenses that it was
little more than self-sustaining and
that every effort would be made to
pay every cent Of its obligations to
the state. it was told that il must pay
spot down and in order to make II the
more difficult the officers Of
the law were instructed to put 1t
under arrest and handcuf1 il so not
a wheel could turn and so for q time
it was left in that crippled condition.
Then. too. its big neighbor. the Sea
board Air Line Railway. claiming .
trackage indebtedness against It In
the amount Of less than $4,000 refused
the further use Of its tracks until its
Indebtedness was liqaidated. which
was most unneighborly, for, If the
same steps were taken against the
Seaboard in forcing the collection Of
its debts. il would be in as bad fix as
the little Ocklawaha Valley. as its
bonds are not quoted at peak prices
and its stock is only listed at 81
cents. yet no efforts are made BY its
shareholders or others to scrap il so 1t
ought to have behaved more neighbor-
nv.
A deaf ear was turned to the appeals
of the patrons living along its route
and there seemed to be = determine
tion to have the read dismantled and
thrown into the scrap heap at al
hazards.
There was a mystery behind il that
we could neither solve nor under
stand. but fortunately the judge Of
our circuit court decreed that the re-
ceiver in control Of il would be allows
ed to sell freight certificates and un-
der this ruling enough certificates
were sold TO pay on its obligations
to the state and much TO the delight
Of those living along It's right Of way
the little road Is again in operation
and we hope that It viii receive enough
patronage not only TO keep II func-
tioning but TO make Il . valuable
asset to our town and county. and its
stockholders and bondholders happy.
Since the above was written Mr.. H
s. Cummings, the former receiver.
has been succeeded BY Mr.. Andrew
Christensen. who represents the own
ers Of the road
Mr. Christensen in statement
made TO the PaIatka Daily News said
that as soon as practical he would
make statement Of the good inten-
tions Of the bondholders and owners.
those who have put up many thons-
ands Of dollars to keep the o. v. go
ing in order to clear up a misunder-
standing which seems to exist in the
public mind as to the owners in
Itentlons. We have not sought 70
answer the many erroneous. and
sometimes vicious statements made
pending the disposition Of the entire
matter in the courts after both sides
had been heard | think il but prop
er. and due the owners. that the case
be presented in accordance with the
records =
We express the sincere hope that
Mr. Christensen win make the little
road even more marvellous than Mr..
Ford has made the d TIL.
We shall watch its operations under
its new management with increasing
interest: and of Mr. Christensen be.
comes anything like : second Ford
We know the patrons living along
the route viii Nth one accord rise
mp and call him Messed.
The Board q Trade has received