Chap. 85.—An ACT to authorize the Norfolk and Southern railroad to pur-
chase or consolidate other railroad properties and franchises and to sell
its own.

Approved January 15, 1900.

Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That the Nor-
folk and southern railroad company is hereby authorized and empow-
ered to purchase, lease, and operate such other railroad properties and
purchases as it may deem necessary, convenient and useful to its business
as colInmmon carriers; and also to sell or lease its railroad property and
franchises to any other railroad or railroads as and when it may deem
proper so to do, and such other railroad company or companies are
hereby authorized to purchase, lease, operate or consolidate with the
said railroad company in such a manner and on such terms as a ma-
jority of the stockholders of the said companies may determine: pro-
vided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to au-
thorize the said Norfolk and southern railroad company to operate any
ferry between Norfolk and Portsmouth or between either of said cities
and Berkley. Nor shall this bill give them the right, at any time, to
build a bridge across the eastern branch of the Elizabeth river west. of
Nolen and western iron bridge.

This act shall be in force from its passage.