National Republican., 1882-12-09
THE METROPOLITAN RAILWAY
President Thompson Takes Issue with
the Senator from Vermont.

President Thompson Takes Issue with
the Senator from Vermont.
As reply to the remarks of Senator Ed
munds, made during the consideration of tho
bill for the extension of the Capital and North
street railway, in reference to the delin'
quency of the Metropolitan n'street railway, Mr..
John w. Thompson president of the latter
company, yesterday transmitted to Senator
Ingalls, the chairman of the senate committee
on the District of Columbia, the following
letter taking issue with Senator Edmunds:
OFFICE OF THE METROPOLITAN RAILWAY COW.
rANY' WASslilNGToN, d. c., Dec. s. lSS2-HoN. }. J.
INGALLS,, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE oN THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES SENATE
Sir' learn irom the morning papers that during
the Debate yesterday in relation to the extension
of the street railway in this city some erroneous
statements " ere made, which do great injustice to
ne metropolitan railway, ofwhich am the presi-
1t was said that according to the evidence taken
at former session, there is one corporation in
this District thati said to be strong and rich that
Is taking the blood ont OF the Taxpayers of this
District aud out of the treasury Of The United
mms R ga Tcmig II n 20 P"y penny y for the pave
m Metr9p inn railway is undoubtedly, The
company referred to.
."e i,vto a =, however, that since its organlzl-
ttin This company has paid Tor changing the grade
Of It's tracksnnd relnying them and for paving aud
repaving, streets and avenues under Gsse smen's
made aud required by the District au hOrties over
s2Oo,OOO, wbiuh Is nearly oncthird OF the capital
stock of the company.
| lhis company has paid ali assessments charges,
| ana taxes OF every kind, except those which are
tG subject of litigation i'll II suit now pending in
| the supreme court of this District.
The qu, slion involved in that suit is not whether
| he company has failed in its duty to keep liz RI,
pllr streets ana avenues, but whether or not the
company can be required to pay for changes of
| grade aud for new puvcmcnts whenever aud us
often ana at such eNOrbitant rates as thg ard Of
| punt" W''te ''ou"h' rrorrr to hNrc.
| 1t is notorious fact that by changes in grades
ms Cuiup.sS n.s OapvIiDu ltNv az ICIay
! titracks three times in some places under the
orders of the District authorities, and that in some
Instances the cost of the puvements alone when
were charged against the company was ut the
/ Iaie OF nearly 100000 per mile
rms company hhvlng paid in full uch age
,ums lort the extraordinary expenses incident 10
the improyement of this cny has considered IL its
right and duty to submit the question OF the new
md additional liability, when is sought to bc
mposed By the District authorities for judicial
denomination, and Will pay whatever sums may
Oe found due from 1t i'll respect thereof
respectfully submit that while this suit which
It is not sought to delay, is pending In court It is
oDviou'ly unjust accuse the Impauy ot II mr.
pose to cy, dc its resporsib Ivy and obli at ,ons.
l inclose copy OF communication addre SD
to the chairman of the senate committee d tted
March 4, 1880, which contains u statement OF the
taxation sought to be imposed.
Very respectfully, your UDedieut servant,
JOHN W. THOMPSON.