Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-02-05
District Afai rs I'm Congress.

THE POINT LOOKOUT RAILROAD DISCUSSED
BEFORE THE HOUSE COMMITTEE.
The House Committee on the District of CO.
lumbia held meeting this morning, at which
the bill providing for the extension of the Wash
ington and Point Lookout railroad into the
District was under consideration. Col. Samuel
Smoot, president, and Gen. T. T. Crittenden,
behalf of the Southern Maryland railroad COM
pany, and Duncan G. Walker, solicitor, and b.
). Randolph, engineer, in the interests Of the
same, on behalf of the Washington and Point
Lookout railroad. The Southern MARYLAND
railroad company oppose the franchise on the
ground that the road around this CITY from
Bladensburg to Alexandria, claimed to have
been built by the Washington City and Point
Lookout railroad company was, in fact built
by the Baltimore and Ohio railroad company
ana that 1t belongs to them by perpetual lease;
road under its Maryland charter from Brandy
wine to the District line. Accompanying is an
argument of Hon. Benz. Harris against the
granting of the franchise. on the ground that
the washington City and Point Lookout rail-
road company have not complied with their
contract with the Southern Maryland railroad
company. a copy OF the alleged violated con-
tract was also submitted with the argument
On the other hand, the arguments sub mitted
IN the interests of the Washington City and
Point Lookout railroad are to the effect that
they did violate the agreement entered into
with the Southern MARYLAND company, but
claim as reason bad faith on the part Of that
corporation, having acted, as alleged, in utter
disregard OF Its obligations. AS to collision
with the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, the argu-
ment says "the protests produce no shadow of
evidence to substantiate the charge, and that
1t is, in point Of fact, untrue; that the officers
Oh that com pany are not even acquainted with
the proposed route, and have never been soli-
cited 70 render or have rendered assistance,
moral or otherwise"
The committee, after hearing personal state
ments of both parties, decided to reconsider
their former action in ordering the bill reported,
action.
CONSOLIDATION OF GEoRaErowN AND WASH
INGTON.
AT the meeting Of the House Committee on
the District of Columbia to-day, the sub,com-
m ttee appointed on the subject made a report
In favor OF consolidating Georgetown with the
city OF w ashington. The subject was placed in
the hands OF General Chapman to prepare a bill
looking to this end, and to report the same at
the next session OF the committee.
AN UNSAFE BRIDGE.
subcommittee OF the House District Com
mittee this morning presented q report to the
ADacostia bridge over the Eastern Branch of
the Potomac is unsafe, and should be removed
altogether and a new structure erected. 1t ap.
eral government were Obligated to Keep t in
repair. This has been done at an expense usu-
ally or about 81 600 per annum. The SUBJ
conn nittee recommend in effect that the bridge
Is not susceptible Of permanent repair, and, to
Ihls emo, advocate a new bridge. An estimate
for new bridge was submitted which was
mace maze ~ Zen: Babcock, setting forth that
10 $500 600 The question being raised as to
the duty OF the government in the premises,
tne subject was referred to Mr.. Hale, chairman
OF the committee, to ascertain the obligation
imposed in the government by their purchase
OF the present structure, and whether the same
required new bridge to be erected at the ex-
pense or the United States when il was deter
mined that the old one was useless and con-