Chap. 73.—An ACT to authorize the Norfolk and Western railroad
company to make contracts forthe u-e and operation or lense of
connecting lines, and conferring certain other additional powers on
said company.

Approved February 7, 1884.

1. Beit enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
it shall and may be lawful for the Norfolk and Western rail-
road company, from time to time, with the consent of a
majority of its stockholders present at a general or special
meeting thereof, to make and carry out contracts for the use,
operation or lease of any connecting line or lines of railroad
located or constructed in this state or other atates, upon such
terms as may be agreed upon with the company or companies
owning or operating the same, and to use, complete, maintain
and operate such road or roads in accordance with such con-
tract or lease, and such company or companies with which it
may make such contract or contracts are hereby empowered
in like manner to make and carry out the same: provided
that the line of the road of the company with which it may
so contract shall not be a competing or parallel line.

2. It sball and may be lawful for the Norfolk and Western
railroad company to acquire by subscription, purchase or
otherwise. or guarantee any portion of the bonds or capital
stock of anv company or companies organized for or engaved
in the construction or operation of any line or lines of rail-
road in this state or elsewhere: provided that it shall not be
lawful for said company to acquire or hold any shares of the
capital stock or to own or guarantee the bonds or other obli-
gations of any railroad company of the state, the line of
which does not actually connect with the line of said Norfolk
and Western railroad company: and it shall not be lawful
for said company to acquire or hold any shares of the capital
stock, or to acquire, own or guarantee any of the bonds or
other obligations of any railroad company of this state, the
line of which is parallel to or a competing line witb the line
of said Norfolk and Western railroad company.

3. This act shall be in force from its passage.