Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-11-30
THE LoUDOUN AND HAMP>HIRE
kAILROAD IONNEIIInN


Georgetown do not seem disposed 70 shut
thsr eyes 10 the advantages which will ac-
crue TO the District cities from increased rail-
road facilities, aud they show their faith DIV
thelr works, having through their CITY Cjun-
CHS early this year, expressed their willing
ness to incur a debt of S}uOOOJ to secure
connection with the LOudon and Hampsh hire
hdIrOan- Their committee had conference
with the Board of Directors of that rJad last
summer, at which it was agreed that the COM
pany would Join Georgetown In a survey u
determine the best route for the proposed con-
neeuOn, A. being understood that 1t should IN
tersect the nam road at point about equi-
distant from Alexandria and Georgetown.
Three routes were spoken of, as follows:
First. The Upper Route by Pimmett Run,
which wound require a transit over the Little
Fails bridgr. The point of connection would
be about thirteen miles from Alexandra, aud
eleven miles from Georgetown.
Second he middle route from tue A4Ge-
quot bridge to point between Cfrlin's
Springs and Falls Church, which would con-
meet AT point about i've miles from George
town and six 10 eight miles from Alexandria
Third. The lower or Four-mIIe Run route,
which would also require crossing al the
Aqueduet, and would connect at point threa
miles from Alexandria, and five miles from
Georgetown.
The Georgetown committee expressed a
preference for the midtile or Falls Church
route, If practicable. On their return they re-
ported their action to the Councils, when the
Mayor, Recorder, and President of the Com.
mon Council We're appointed a committee on
the survey. They considered the Pimmett Run
and -Four mile Run routes both practicable in
point of grade, but inadvisable; the first by
reason OF Its length, and the expense of the
bridge at the Little Falls, and the second on
account of the nearness of the point of connec-
ton 20 Alexandria; and as the corporation
had repeatedly refused to act at all in the
matter of a connection by the latter Route the
committee did not hesitate 10 entirely ignore
IL The third route was 10 overcome the diff.
Guilty presented by the hills between the
Arlington House and the Alexandria AIue-
duct, and thence proceed to Falls Church or
Carlin Springs. To satisfy themselves of the
practicabiliiy Of this third route, the Com
mltiee ordered preliminary survey BY Mr..
Brewer, the Surveyor of Georgetown. Upon
the receipt of Mr.. Brewers report, which
was in substance that the hills could BE- crossed
At a maximum grade Of eighty feet 10 the mile
ascending westward, the Committee informed
the President of the Alexandria, LOudon
and Hampshire railroad OF their readiness to
proceed 10 work with the Joint survey.
intendent of that road, was appointed to confer
with MI Brewer. A conference was had
ana the route surveyed by Dir. Brewer was
examined by Mr.. Blythe, who By letter.
communicated his disapprovaI thereof, and
indicated that the route by way OF FOur-
mile Kun was the proper one. From the
letters of Messrs. Blythe and Brewer Il ap-
pears that the President OF the Alexandra.
LoudOn and Hampshire railroad refuses TO
participate in even the survey of the middle
or Fails Church route favored by the Com
Hlttee, and thus there Is a s.dead lock-" The
objection to the middle route is stated 70 be the
heavy grade and the great expense Of rock
cutting. Those who favor it in Georgetown,
however, say that the grade is only eight-tenths
OF foot greater 10 the mile than the grade on
the main stem; the former being 81 feet to the
mile. and the latter s9.2 feet, and that as the
heavy grades are TO be surmounted by trains
gong westward, II is NO objection, because
the bulk Of freight will come eastward
and empty or partially loaded cars only
will go In the other direction; and they say il is
very strange that President Mckenzie should
object to the expense OF this particular connec
ton, when Georgetown proposes TO build II
entirely al her own ccst, and without expense
10 the railroad company. general meeting
OF the stockholders of the Loudon and Hamp-
shire Railroad Company will be held in Alex
andrla next Thursday morning, and II is prob
able the matter will be brought up then. II
they should decide TO sustain the views OF their
presIceLt- Mr.. Mckenzie, aud their engineer
MI Blythe, as TO the impractca0Ility of the
middle route, would force GEORGETOWN 10
adopt the PImmett run Route, As they Will not
consent 20 the connection AZ FOur-miIe run.
The PImmett run connection would be a very
expensive one, costing probably half a million
dollars or mCre, even II the piers of the Little
Fails bridge, bull; by the Government. are
used, and in event Of being driven TO that
route, Georgetown VIII, II Is stated. call upop
Washington for aid IL its construction. h..
hevns that il will greatly increase the trade Of
The District, and thus benefit both cities