The Times is behind the Governor in his efforts to control the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley railroad and prevent its dismemberment by the Southern and Coast Line for the purpose of developing our port facilities at Wilmington, as the builders of the road determined tht it may have its corresponding influence on freight rates in this state.
If that road had been held intact and leased to the Norfolk and Western, when the latter desired to secure it, and several years ago graded the 18 miles of road bed to connect with it, that might get into this state rich in agriculture and commerce, we would have a rate just as low as the Virigina cities at this time, from all points north and west, and the fight over rates would be stopped for ever.
But when the Coast Line and the Southern found the Norfolk and Westered wanted this road, in order to place its coal at Wilmingt5on when it had trouble securing terminals at Norfolk and was compelled by the other roads at that point to build a belt line around the city to get its road to ?? (word obscured) two North Carolina roads took over the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley and split it into ??
Since then, little freight except of a local nature has been routed over the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley. It is even not listed in the tariffs sent out, and since 90 percent of the freight routed by the railroads one can see why the Atlantic and Yadkin owes the Southern so much money. If that road had been allowed to connect with the roads running through Virginia, it would have hauled enough freight to make money and doubtless would not owe the Southern so much at the present time.
It was quite natural of course for the Southern not to haul its through freight over the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley. It wanted to carry it over its own tracks, and also did not want to turn it over to the Norfolk and Western. But by sending it over the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley and turning it over to the Norfolk and Western, the distance to Cincinnati would have been shortened by 200 miles for over this route, we are 200 miles nearer Cincinnati than Norfolk.
The question of the control of this road by the state is the key to the situation, and the railroad men of North Carolina are aware of it. The Norfolk and Western had just as leif(?) haul its freight to Wilmington for $1.20 as carry it to Norfolk for the same price, and the protection of Wilmington as a port and its development would mean rates as low as those of the Virginia cities.
From the editorial page of the Wilson Times, April 1, 1924
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