The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-04-11

cal entries measure from 70 to IS
inches, the longest one being the
greatest that has yet been entered
in the nationwide contest
time the Baltimore & Ohio has in
creased It's entire property invest
ment approximately $685., 000,O
more than s10O,OO0,0cO of which
amount has been spent for nel,
equipment, represented in the pu,.
chase of 1874 powerful and mod
ern locomotives. 1900 freight
cars, and more than 600 pieces OF
passenger equipment.
He also reminded the chamber
of commerce Of the fact the Bal
timore & Ohio Co. since then has
spent over a million dollars in en-
larging the freight yards at Graf.
ton; that 1t has increased the
amount OF double track between
Grafton and Fairmont so that there
Is now only a short piece OF single
track about 7.5S miles long, that
1t has completed third track IN the
Cranberry and Rowlesburg grades
in order to expedite the movement
of eastbound business; that 1t has
built a new low grade double track
tunnel, alongside the old single
track tunnel at Kingwood, at an
expediture of approximately 81
100000 and that 1t has provided
additional terminals for taking
care OF helpers at Hartman and
Rowlesburg.
Furthermore, Of the 1884 new
engines purchased, 1875 are OF the
heavy Mallet type designed for
use between Grafton and Cumber-
land, and we are now operating
that mountainous section of our
railroad with the heaviest and
most powerful type of locomotive
that has yet been constructed.
"0f course, It Will be under
stood, said Mr.. Willard. that
after getting West Virginia coal
to Cumberland, tho problem is only
half solved and It was necessary
to make large expenditures east
'of Cumberland in order that we
might riovo not only the coal from
West Virginia, but also from Som.
erset, and other counties. freely to
tidewater and eastern consuming
centers. and in that connection
within the last twelve years VIC
built third track all the wav be-
tween Patterson Creek and Cherry
Run. n distance of Sc miles. and
four tracks for about six miles. we
removed Doe Gully tunnel and sub
stituted in It's place an open cut.
with four tracks through a rocky
ridge which required the removal
of 1000, 900 yards Of stone. This
one improvement OF Doc Gully tun-
mel cost something over $1,000.0o0
and the Magnolia cutoff, eleven
miles long. which, was built be-
! tween Patterson Creek and Cherry
Run cost something over $4,000, 00U
including Doe Gully Cut.
"All Of these improvements had
a direct bearing upor the service
which the Baltimore & Ohio Rail-
road could render to West Vir.
gInta, The Baltimore and Ohio
Company Is anxious to cooperate
In every possible way towards the
Industrial development OF West
Virginia. We realize that the rate
adjustments out OF the eo.called
Fairmont region have not been In
tho past as favorable to that re-
gion as was to he desired. al
though the company has been able
from time to time to make adjust
ments which it was believed would
be helpful. 1t is naturally the de.
sire Of the Baltimore and Ohio to
see that this important industrial
TERRITORY on its lines is placed in
ms favorable position comparatively
as its geographical location and
other controlling influences admit
Of. we now have the matter ac-
lively in hand and we hope to be
liable to suggest an arrangement in
this connection within the next
week or so which will he more IA
yorable than the existing arra1ge'
ment and believe when all
i things are considered It should be
looked upon by the shippers In thai
region as fair and equitable.
"However, I cannot state toe "H.
finitely that the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad company Is not only will
ing but anxious to do all that 1t
can within the limits Of its author
ity to cooperate in every way to-
wards the industrial development
of your great state"
Blames Government.
"What are we going to do about
the freight rates from Clarkshurs
Falrmout, Grafton and SO forth? 1
can tell you what we might do,
though l can't as yet tell you wha:
we VIII do. You want the rates
regulated. Your representatives In
congress regulated the rates, and
now we are simply living up to
them and you must do the same.
I'VE would be willing to see Pitts.
burgh basis put into effect and ad
justed II 1t can be, but / don't sea
how It can be. You think perhaps
there is no reason why you
shouldn't have the rates. But when
one compares the longer distances
ex Sting In the West than In tho
East, one findssthere Is some DIFF.
ference.
Our traffic people are working
out a proposition. we can't give
lyou the Pittsburgh scale west, but
we will gfye YOU soniething almost