Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-04-23
COAL INTERESTS OF THIS ms.
TRICT.
The Conference at Cum berland.

RETURN OF THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS
Inc District Commissioners returned from
their trip to Cumberland last night, and were
In attendance at their Office, on AZ street, this
morning. They report that they had very
peasant trip, and looked over the situation OF
the proposed crossing OF the Georges Greek
railroad. and were present at the meeting OF
ton was discussed at the meeting and Engineer
commissioner Twlning was given an audience
10 present TO his views. Later In the day the
board Of public works held conference at the
hotel, and another on board the train on the
return trip home. Governor Hamilton left the
t-alA at Weayerton for his homeat Hagerstown,
next, and will probably be made known at An
nap0lS on that day.
HISTORY OF THE CONTROVERSY.
The question under consideration at Cumber-
land, Nd, yesterday was whether bituminous
coal from the Maryland mines for this District
is TO be allowed TO be carried across the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad track to the Cne5ape AXE
and Ohio canal, for shipment to thts place
some time ago the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
purchased the Cumberland and Pennsylvania
former running out OF Cumberland. Md, to the
large coal fields, known as the Cumberland
coal region" and which had, up to that time
' aed spPhg trade n o. Geo
the north and east At the same time the Bal
timore and Ohio railroad absorbed majority OF
the stock OF the Consolidation coal company
which corporation owned about three -eightns
OF the entire Cumberland region. The llti-
more and Ohio railroad thus secured monoo-
Oily of carrying coal, and the other companies
were placed In dependent position. Ii was
then determined to open up the coal fields In
The George s Cree region, and bring the coal In
to Cumberland by an independently road. A
company known as the Georges Creek and Cum
DeTland rail- DAD was formed, q charter obtained
and the construction OF the line which is about
twenty mile In length. was commenced. This
U limo fhnHA
more and Ohio railroad company has baen
lighting its rival, and almost every inch of the
Georges creek road has been marked by con-
test. The road, however, was Completed to
Cumberland, and the ties and rails broughE into
the city. Here the trouble eliminated IC De-
came necessary to cross the main stem to the
west OF the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. The
latter corporation refused to allow It's rival to
cross It's tracks, and the matter was brought
Into court. AT the January term of the court
the case was decided In favor OF the Georges
creek company, and the exact point of connec-
t1On was left to the pOard of public works of
Maryland as arbitrator.
The Baltimore and Ohio railroad then erected
a strong oarricade at right angles 10 the con-
tending road, which has Its ties and rails laid
on either side OF the B. & o. tracks and only
waits the final decision OF the arbitratOrs to
connect TIE separate rails So close are these rails
together-a double track and a siding only d.
Vldlng them-that they can be Joined in q
rev hours Close up against the barricade is
coai sraln, which was loaded at the Georges
creek mines, and only awaits the connection
10 De switched on to the Baltimore and Ohio
track and thence direct to the canal basin.
Wnefe IL can De unlOaded into the canal boats
VI course II the right to cross or switch upon
Cne Baltimore and Ohio track is lost no coal
can reach here by the Chesapeake Ohio canal.
me coal trade TO Georgetown has In some
years reached as high as 900, 600 tons per annum.
and unless the crossing is made the thousands
OF laDorers now employ ed In and about the coal
WnarVe8 ana along the canal would be thrown
out OF employment. Eighteen hundred
miners. nearly the same number OF bOatmeu
nave petitioned the board of arbitration to
grant the application OF the Georges Creek
coal company.
NO CONCLUSION YET ARRIVED At
Nearly Two hours were Speat by the board
the laWy ers and the engineers yesterday in sur,
vey1ng the proposed crossing in considering
the Feasibility OF connecting by a switch OF
tunnellng under the Baltimore and Ohio track
anu OF other schemes to accomplish the object
sought. The whole party then adjourned
10 queen City hotel, where a conference was
neld, with closed doors. between the board and
Ing roads.
VIEWS OF MAJOR TwINING.
Major TW1n1ng was first called and his views
stated that he had fully surveyed the situation.
anu Denesed thaJ the crossing was not danger
BUS, and that no good reason could be urged
against the application Of the Georges Creek
company: IL was perfectly feasible under
;aking. he presented at length the important
District interests which were involved, and WAS
lnequivocal in his answers to the Directions
ohio railroad. After spending some time in
executive session, the board of arbitration ad-
burned without rendering the expected de.
'iSlon WHICH IL Is expected will be announced