Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-15
Proposed New street Railroads.
BILLS BEFoBE TIE HOUSE DISTRICT COMMIT


The House District Committee held regular
meeting too day, and referred several bills 10
subcommittee for report, after which they
considered the subject OF new street railroads
in this District. The particular bills under
consideration we're, first, the bill giving the
approval and sanction of Congress to the termi
nj and route of the OF the
ASACoSTIA AND POTOMAC RIVER RAILROAD.
and TO regulate its construction aud oper alton,
which bill Was passed by the House last session
and favOrably reported by the Senate Commit
tee on the District of Columbia. Gen. A. ID
Mussey made statement relative TO the route
OF thie road, and its desirabity as a means OF
taeliltshhg inter communication. The bill pro
woes Tor the construction of a road from tn
northern end of the navy yard bridge to the iE-
terst ctlen of Pennsylvania avenue aud fltu
street west, VIA llth street east. VI street south
80 street east, street south, Water street 18th
street west, Ohio avenue aud 18th street.
The committee next heard Mr.. l.. H.Chsndler
in behalf Of the bill introduced last session to in
corporate the
NORTH CAPITOL AND o STREET RAILWAY
company. The bill provides for the construc
ton of street railroad, commencing on Isyst
West, IN 'front.' OF the Capitol grounds, and run
nlng thence due north along LIST street west to
Indiana avenue, to 81 street west, TO New ,Jer-
sew avenue, to y street north, to 18th street
west, to street north, to 14th street west, to
ONO avenue to 18th street west, to Virginia ay-
enue, to Maryland avenue to LIST street west
the place of beginning, with the right to run
RuDHC thereon. drawn bY horse -DDY-
er, receiving therefor a rate of fare not exceed
ing six cents a passenger tor any distance on
sad road, from its beginning TO its terminus on
LIST street west.
Mr.. g. b. Church was next heard In behalf of
the bill to incorporate the
18th STREET AND SOUTH WASHINGTON RAIL
company, and which provides for the construc-
ton OF street railroad: commencing at the in
teTsection of 9th street and Water street south
west; thence west along Water street to 18th
street, 10 virginia avenue, to 18th street; thence
north along said street to the county-lne, with
the privilege of single track from 18th street
along Water street to 18th street, and on 18th
street TO Virginia avenue, with the right to run
public carriages thereon, drawn by horse-
power, receiving therefor a rate of fare not eN-
ceedlng hve cents passenger for any distance
Oh said road
VIEWS OF GOVERNOR SHEPHERD.
Alter hearing these gentlemen in behalf of
the railways, Mr.. Hale, chairman of the com
mittee, intimated that he would like TO hear
the views Of Governor shepherd, who was pre-
sent, on the general subject OF street RAILWAYS
The Governor stated that while everybody re
cSognized the necessity of street railroads, he
believed that they should be authorized and
constructed under some general system. The
citizens of Washington, he said, had been at
much expense in improving the streets and ave
nues, and 1t was but just that the street railway
companies should bear their proportion ate
share of the burden. For instance, on Penn
SylNania avenue good wood pavement hal
been paid for by the property owners, while A
figure the street by a dirty cobbe- stone pave
ment between their tracks. He referred to this
TO show the necessity of some general system
The subject might be lett to commission OF
competent officers 70 prepare a map ami to re-
commend where railroads might be laid with
out detriment to the public interests.
Mir. Eldridge desired to know who ought to
compose such a commission, whereupon the
Governor replied that while having no special
preference in the matter, he thought the sub
Jet might with propriety be referred to the
Board of Public Works, who have control OF
the streets, since they have a thorough kuowl-
edge of the subject, and they might submit
their report to the committee for any moditica
lions which might be deemed necessary.
No action was taken by the committee on any
OF me bllls discussed, and they adjourned until
half past ten to- morrow morning. IL was also
gwen out that on Saturday week, should the
weather prove favorable, the District Commit
zee VIII make tour of the District, to inspect
the various Improvements made and tn at they
VIII invite the Committee on Appropriations to
accompany them.