CHAP. 20.—An ACT to authorize the Chesapeake and Ohio rail-
way com any to construct or acquire branches or extensions and
to issue ita mortgage bonds thereon, or to hold stock in and
guarantee the bonds of corporations owning such branches or
extensions.

Approved December 22, 1891.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia,
That the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad company be, and
it hereby is, authorized to construct or acquire by pur:
chase, lease, or otherwise, and to maintain and operate
branches or extensions, not to exceed in Virginia fifty
miles in length, to any of the lines now or hereafter
owned, leased, controlled, or operated by it within this
state, or to purchase and hold stock of any other company
owning any such branch or extension: provided that no
competing line, nor the stock of the company owning any
such competing line shall be acquired hereunder. It shall
be lawful for the Chesapeake and Ohio railway company
to create and issue its own bonds, and to secure same by
one or more mortgages on any such branches or exten-
sions, built or to be built, or which it may acquire hy pur-
chase; or to guarantee bonds issued by other corporations
owning any such branches or extensions.
2. This act shall take effect from its passage.