Chap. 880.—An ACT providing for connection of railroads in the state of
Virginia.

Approved March 6, 1900.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That any
company heretofore, or that may he hereafter incorporated by act of the
general assembly of Virginia, and authorized to construct a railroad
within the jurisdiction of this state, shall, when such railroad is con-
structed to any other railroad track, or to the right of way of any other
railroad being operated under the laws of this state, have the might
to connect with such railroad in any county of this state at its own cost,
at any suitable point that may be agreed upon between the chief engi-
neers of the two railroad companies, and if the said engineers shall fail
to agree then the circuit court may, after hearing evidence viva voce
or otherwise, decide the question in dispute and enter the proper order.
But such connection, if made, and all costs and expenses of such
operation and maintenance of such connection, including signals and
other things deemed necessary by the company with which said con-
nection is made, for the proper operation and protection thereof, shall
be borne and paid by the company making such connection.

2. Should any railroad company now, or hereafter being operated
under the laws of this state, refuse, after such point has been agreed
upon, to :nake or permit such connection to he made as aforesaid, then
the company applying for such railroad connection, may proceed in
equity, in the circuit court of the county, wherein such connection is
sought to be made, make complaint against the company refusing to
make or permit such connection to be made, and if the court shall be
of opinion that the company refusing to make or allow such connection
t)> be made has not just reason for so doing, and shall further be of
opinion that such connection should be made or allowed, the court shall
decree that such connection be made, and shall, by mandamus or other
wise, enforce the decree and compel the connection to be made, at the
cost and expense-of the company desiring such connection as set out
in section one of this act.

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