National Republican., 1888-02-16
OBJECTIONS TO RAILROADS
WHICH THE COMMISSIONERS MAKE
KNOWN TO CHAIRMAN IEMPHILJ,
what Should be Required of Those
with Electric Motor Power-The
Times DO Not Justify the Construc-
ton of Elevated Roads.

The commissioners yesterday addressed
Chairman Hempbill communication in re.
gard to II. X. bill $500, to amend an act to
incorporate the Capitol, North o Street,
and South Washington Railway. This bill,
they say, is too general and the company
fails to state the motive power which is TO
be used. II electricity, then the methods OF
construction and operation Of the electrical
power should be under the control OF the
commissioners, and the latter should have
power to compel the company to make
such changes, removals, and repairs to the
plant as may be necessary for the safety and
convenience Of the public. Where horses
are used as the motive power the spaces be-
tween the tracks and rails for distance OF
two feet outeide OF the outer rails should be
paved with the same character OF pavement
as now required by law. When streets are not
paved the railway companies should be
required to lay such pavement as the COM
missioners may direct. All new roads
should pay at least per cent. on their gross
receipts in addition to personal and other
taxes. Speaking Of the bill 1856, referring
to the same company, the commissioners
say that the route in this bill Is good one,
and the proposed extension will be Of
benefit to the public. The bill should pro-
vide that when any part OF this route Is
occupied by the rails Of another company
the cars OF this company should be run
over these rails, and new ones should not
be laid.
OF Ii. r. bill 2O75, to Incorporate the
Capital Rapid Transit Company Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia, they think that the pres
ent time does not justify the Disagreement
of the streets by the construction Of any
elevated railway. The route proposed by
this company is substantially covered by
railways already existing, The motive
sioners claim that the same .stipulations
should be enforced as are stated by them In
answer to bill 5306.
House bill 515S, referring to central cable
railway, is objected TO upon the same
grounds alluded to In the elevated railway
bill. The same stipulations are also re.
quired as are noted In the Belt line bill, ex-
cept that the commissioners think that out
side of the corporation limits where streets
and roads do not now exist the right OF
way, condemnation Of land, and awarding
OF damages should be provided for. The
words "engineer commissioners" should be
stricken out and commissioners" inserted.
The same objections made to the central
cable railway are also made against II. X.
bill $3.50, which provides for the incorpora-
tion of the Washington cable electric rail.
way. This route Is not considered either
necessary or desirable.
II. r. bill 2454, to incorporate the Wash
ington and Suitland Street Railroad Com
pany, is commented on without objection.
The motive power within the city isvaguely
stated. The use of steam In crossing the
Eastern branch bridge is considered OBJ.
jectionable. In other respects the bill
meets the view OF the commissi oners. The
8 per cent. clause Is also recommended.
II. r. bill 2434, to incorporate the Wash
ipgton Suburban Railway Company, is OBJ.
jected to for the reason that It appropriates
a larUa rart NJ tho Srnithq0 rlr for n
depot site and other purposes. The VIA
duct along the line Of b street will dis
figure the mall, the white lot, and the
monument lot, and be an obstruction to
traffic between the government buildings.
1t will destroy the site OF the Rock Creek
Park. No provisions are made to indem-
nifty the general government or the District
for the use of government land and public
highways. No provision is made to indem-
nifty individuals whose property may be
affected by the road and Its trains. 1t will
postpone the filling and retard the develop
ment of that portion Of the valley between
Rock creek and Woodley lane road.
The provisions In lines S5, SO, and 81 Of
section (that the several officers Of the Dis.
trict Of Columbia are hereby prohibited
from doing any act or thing To hinder, de.
lay, or obstruct the construction or opera
tion Of said railway should be stricken
out, as they abrogate supervisory powers
granted the commissioners. lnere lS no
provision requiring this company to pay
the District percentage Of its gross re.
ceipte, aud they add the clause which is
appended to all the railroad bills In this
regard. They also recommend the passage
of II. r. bill 1897, to regulate the subdlvi-
sion of land within the District Of Colum.
bis, after making some minor changes.
The commissioners say, in regard to Fl.
r. bill 4g56, "to amend an act to restrict
the ownership Of real estate In the terri
tories to American Citizens" &c. approved
March 3, 1880, that as the bill relates to
question OF national policy, the advisable
ity Of which has been publicly aud thor
oughly discussed, the commissioners doubt
their ability to contribute any additional
light on the subject that could be of service
to the House District committee in Con-
gress. They, however, would add that they
see no reason why the amendment should
not be made.
In difference to II. r. bill SO to arbitrate
and settle the questions at issue between
the District of Columbia and Samuel Strong,
thet-say that the data is already In the
hands OF Senator Faulkner, and 1t would
be inconveuient for them to duplicate the
matter In this case. Should 1t be required
the matter will be attended to, although
they feel assured that 1t will be printed by
nvder Of Senator Faulkner.