Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-05-19
STREET RAILROADS IN THE CITY.
Another Hearing Before the Senate
Subcommittee.

STREET RAILROADS IN THE CITY.
Another Hearing Before the Senate
Sub.COmmittee.
STREETS AGAINST RAILROAD TRACKS IN
FRONT OF THEIR PREMISES-CTTIZENS WHO
FAVOR NEW LINES,
The second hearing of the sub District COM
m1ttee OF the Senate on the subject Of additional
street railroad facilities took place this morn
Ing. The District committee room was pretty
Wei filled with projectors and incorporators OF
new roads, officers and representatives Of ex.
isting roads, ana citizens who both favor and
oppose the granting of new franchises.
At 1880 Senator Ingalls, called the committee
to order.
THE NORTH WASHINGTON CABLE COMPANY NOT
WILLING TO CONSOLIDATE.
Mr.. Tyrrer, Of the North Washington Cable
company, which he represented, was not willing,
he said, to unite with the Washington cable
road or any other. His company had laid out
an extensive route, far beyond anything con-
templated by any other company, through
sparsely settled sections of the District, and 1t
Of any other. The route of his company is from
louisiana avenue through Indiana and New
Jersey avenues to B and North Capitol streets
charter is granted Mr.. Wharton, OF Philadel-
phia, who built the Washington and George
sSWA 1oau, WOulU cOuhtTuCL IT,
AGAINST ANY MORE HORSE CARS.
Messrs. Geo. G. Gorham and 8. p. Brown
spoke in behalf of the Washington Central COM
pany. They proposed to propel their cars by
cable or electricity, and opposed any further ex-
tension of horse cars.
was before the last Congress, and reported upon
adversely by the District Commissioners He
read reply to the objections of the Commits
which it was charged that Mr.. Edmonds had
persistently opposed an extension of street car
facilities. He maintained that the granting of 9
charter to his company would break up railroad
monopoly and rapidly develop the city. MI.
Brown said he obtained the charter of and built
terested in building the Washington and George
town. He contended for the superiority of the
electric system OF propelling cars, and referred
ent cities. MIR. Brown said there was a good
deal of opposition from the existing companies
to new lines.
COST OF THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM.
Mr.. ingalls, wanted some Information as to
the cost OF the electric system per mile. and
other details.
Mr. Brown could not reply, but Mr.. Gorham
said written statement giving all the informa-
ton wanted would be filed.
The proposed route, Mr.. Brown said, would be
twelve miles long, double track. AS to cable
companies, he said, there are seven in operation
In San Francisco and they give entire satisfac-
ton.
MIR. ingalls, said the practicability of the cable
system was not an open question.
PROTEST AGAINST LAYING A TRACK ON
TWELFTH STREET.
Mr.. NJ. M. Parker presented q written protest
against laying any track on 10Th street, on the
ground that there is no public necessity for
such road; that it would injure the street and
property, and all fOr the benefit of corpora
ton. The protest was signed by about 100
property owners on 18th street, above Pennsyl.
vania avenue, among whom were Judges Cart
ter and Macarthur. Mr.. Parker spoke OF 18th
not like to advise the use of that street,
Mr.. Ingalls,. (sarcastically)-"But you have no
objection to the use OF 18th street?' Y Laughter
Mr.. Parker said that 18th street is only thirty
feet wide between curbs
Col. Boyer said he had measured the street
and found it to be forty-six feet wide. A dispute
arose which Mr.. Ingalls, cut short
MIR. Parker commended the route out North
Capitol street for q railway.
A REMoNSTRANCE FROM NORTH STREET.
MIR. Il. Ross Perry presented a remonstrance
against permitting a railroad track on North S
street, signed by property owners along that
street, on the ground that it would iniure the
property. Mr.. Perry said that most of the
charters asked for were by non-residents and
Tor speculative purposes. There are, he added,
plenty OF men in Washington to build all the
railroads needed.
Mr. Paul said it was only proposed to occupy
hVe blocks on street, and that it was necessary
to provide the people with facilities.
Mr. Perry gave u list of the existing roads,
and sai6 they supplied all the facilities needed.
Mr.. Boyer said these existing roads do not
afford the northern part OF the city with facili-
ties.
M, Mr.. Perry asked Mr.; Boyer. care you resi-
NO. sir" was The reply [Laughterl But I'm a
citizen ofthe United States" added Mr.. Boyer,
land this is the national capital"
YES and you help pay the taxes for Wash
1ngton," put in by-stander.
Mr.. Perry inquired If Mr.. Boyer owned any
property In w ashington, TO which a negative
reply was given.
A WEST WASHINGTON PROTEST..
Mr.. John I. Mitchell, in behalf of the resi-
dents Of N Or Gay street, West Washington,
protested against track ON that street, saying
1T was only thirty feet wide,
Mr.. BIackfOrd said a route could he laid ont
that would avoid street, and he was satisfied
that 30 out OF every 100 citizens Of West Wash
ington want cable road. If the route would
ton In its behalf. He added that very many
residents of West Washington, as a rule, have
10 ma hang to straps when they take the cars.
Sharp. mad laid tracks on broadway that do not,
In the least, interfere with vehicles; that the
tracks are as smooth as the pavement ITSELF
Another objection urged to the occupancy of
n street was that 1t is the regular route for
country people hauling produce to town. and
that wagons loaded with hay could not pass
street cars.
MIR. Mitchell was satisfied a railroad would be
OF great benefit to West Washington and was
only opposed 10 the occupancy OF n street.
SIXTH STREET OBJECTS
A protest against the occupancy of 9Th street
northwest was presented by MIR. Dubant 1t
was stated that a petition in favor of a road on
that street had been presented, but it emanated
from tenants not property owners and perma-
nent residents. Mr.. Dubant declared that ne
was opposed to any further extension of street
railroads in any part OF the city.
Mr.. w IN. K. woodward supported the protest
and mentioned that the people along 9th street
have all the railroads they need.
MORE PROTESTS.
Mr.. John H. Magruder (by request) presented
a protest signed by w. W. Corcoran, Judge
Cox, Mrs. Riggs, the Wormleys and others
against the occupancy of street, between 18th
and 18th streets.
Mr.. James read protest, numerouslv
signed, against the use OF 10th street for .any
railroad. 1t set forth the beauty of the street
that would be spoiled by q railway track. II
was stated in the petition that the residents
own carriages and do not need railroads
Mr.. Brown said 1t was not contemplated to
occupy 10th street, and he would oppose such
occupancy.
Mr.. A. J. Falls presented q protest against the
occupancy OF 18th street for the same reasons
substantially given In the other protests North
Washington, he said, wants no further railroad
facilities. He said a foreign corporation wanted
to tear up the beautiful streets Of Washington
simply to make money.
MIR. BlackfOrd said he had watched the grant
Ing OF railroad charters here for nineteen wears
and in every case protests had been filed against
the occupancy OF every street named in the
charters, and in every case the building of the
roads had been followed bv a rand ipccoo co IN