Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-09
THE METROPOLITAN RAILWAY.
President ThOmpson's Answer to the
speech of Senator Edmunds.

As reply to the remarks of Senator Edmunds,
made during the consideration of the bill for
the extension Of the Capitol and north o street
railway, in reference to the delinquency Of the
Metropolitan street railway, Mr.. John W. Thomp-
son, president of the latter company, yesterday
transmitted to Senator Ingalls,, the chairman OF
the Senate committee on the District of Colum-
bia, the following letter:
OFFICE OF THE METROPOLITAN RAILWAY
COMPANY, WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 8, 1882
Hon. j. J. Iagals, Chairman of the Committee ON
the District Of Columbia, United States Senate
SIR: learn from the morning papers that dur
ing the debate yesterday in relation to the ex-
tension of the street railway in this city some
erroneous statements were made, which do
great injustice to the Metropolitan railway, of
which / am the president.
1t was said that, according to the evidence
taken at a former session, there Is one corpora
ton in this District that is said to be strong and
rich that is taking the blood out of the tax-pay-
ers of this District and out Of the treasury of
the United States by refusing to pay penny
for the pavements that it, by It's charter, was
bound to pay for.
The Metropolitan railway is, undoubtedly, the
company referred to.
The facts are, however, that since its organi-
ZatiOn this company has paid for changing the
grade Of its tracks and relaying them and for
paving and repaving streets and avenues under
assessments made and required by the District
authorities over $500, 900. which is nearly one
third of the capital stock of the company.
This company has paid all assessments,
charges and taxes of every kind. except those
which are the subject of litigation in suit now
pending in the Supreme Court of this District.
The question involved in that suit is not
whether the company has failed in its duty to
keep in repair streets and avenues, but whether
or not the company can be required to pay for
changes of grade and for new pavements when
ever and as often and at such exhOrbitant rates
as the board of public works thought proper
to charge.
1t is a notorious fact that by changesi in grades
this company was compelled to take up and
relay its tracks three times in some places,
under the orders of the District authorities, and
that in some instances the cost of the pavements
alone, which were charged against the company,
was at the rate of nearly $50. 900 per mile.
This company having paid in full sucn large
sums for the extraordinary expenses incident to
the Improvement of this city, has considered it
it's right and duty to submit the question of
the new and additional liability, which is sought
to be imposed by the District authorities. for
judicial determination. and will pay whatever
sums may be found due from it In respect
thereof.
l respectfully submit that while this suit,
which it is not sought to delay. is pending in
pany of purpose to evade its responsibility
and obligations
| inclose copy of communication addressed
to the chairman of the Senate committee, dated
March 4, 1880, which contains statement of
the taxation sought to be imposed.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN w. THOMPSON.