Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-01-24
COMMUNICATED.
Railroad Matters. =

A gentleman, in this place, has received the
following letter. from friend in indianapolis,
which contains some information in relation to
railroad matters which will be of interest to
our citizens in this city:
"ISD1ANAPoLIs, Jan. 1G 1871.
II have received thy favor making enquiries
in reference to our railroad and depot arrange
ments. AT the start of our Union depot arrange
mcnts, there were some two or three railroads
which bought the ground, our City Council CIV
ing the use of the streets FREQ, only requiring
them to keep up the crossings. If they crossed
private property in crossing streets, they usually
paid the property holders balance between the
injury and the benefits and in many instances
when n railroad passed right through lot, I.
irrv of our own citizens said there was as much
benefit rs injury, and the lot owner got nothing.
We have now twelve railroads coming into the
Union depot. There never has been dime OF
money paid by them for the use of streets, alleys
or any other privileges beyond paying for the
injury to private property on the other hand,
we have given them these privileges and several
of them gratuty for coming to our city o! from
forty to sixty-fvc thousand dollars. This was
not subscription to their stock but q gratulty.
The present arrangement Of our depot is some
what different from what is was at first. we
have now Union Depot Company; it owns the
Union depot, and all the railroads are switches
for about two squares and half west-tW0 east
and south and three squares nortn Oh inc UNION
depot This was coded by the original railroads,
and then they all participated in the stock-so
that each railroad now uses this depot and pays
the depot company for the privilege The whole
arrangement now works with the utmost harmo-
nv. These twelve roads seem to be fully accom-
modated; but, in addition to this, there are
branches at no great distance from our city that
arc also made up here.
''When the eleventh road came into town, our
city received it as kindly as to privileges, as it
had tho Others but inasmuch rs it was a COM
pcting line, the roads competed with got up an
interest to prevent it from having the privilege
of using the Union depot, even though it was
willing to pay its full quota. This was effected
by the different roads holding tho stock of the
Union Depot Company. But our Council pass
ed an ordinance that in effect meant this:
Gcntlemcn of the several railroads: 1t IS our
wish and command that this new brother rail-
road shall be received, on the same conditions, to
the same privileges Of the other roads
'"rhis was done partly by ndiscretlon, by al
lowing them to como in SO near them rs to reap
the advantage, to II great extent of this building
without cost SO they found it better to receive
the new brother On equal terms. We are thor
oughly satisfied and pleased with the arrange
mcnt rs public, and we believe that the railroad
companies are equally satisfied. If there is any
other point that can benefit you with at any
time, SHALL be pleased to do it. l think your
Council have greatly erred and should rctract.-
/ should like to hear Of your future doings.'