Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-31

A good deal of surprise was manifested at
special meeting Of the directorate of the Co
lumbia street railway company, called yester-
day, when Mr.. Henry A. Willard (who has
been president of the road ever since the late
John c. McKelden severed his connection with
it). announced his resignation. He stated that
he had disposed Of his entire interest in the
company and would consequently resign. The
announcement was a severe shock to some Of
the members OF the board and they were anx-
ious to learn the reason for Mr.. Wizards ac-
| tion. All that could be learned was that some
| capitalist, desirous of giving Northeast WASH
ington better facilities for reaching the heart
| of the city, had purchased Mr.. Willard's shares,
and with the aid Of a reorganized directorate
proposes to proceed to business as soon as pos
sible
REORGANIZATION.
The first step toward this reorganization was
the election of Mr.. w. H. Clagett to succeed
MIR. Willard as president Mr.. Clagett has been
secretary-treasurec of the road ever since its
organization. 1hen Mr. r. F. Baker was
elected director to fill the vacancy caused by
Mr.. Wizards withdrawal The remaining
vacancies will be filled soon as the con-
trolling spirit, now absent from the city, has
| nominated those whom he desires to represent
him on the board. Weekly meetings of the
directors will be held until all the necessary
| arrangements have been made to extend the
Columbia road 80 that its connections will cover
all the most desirable routes in the city.
None Of the gentlemen connected with the
new management will say a word as to their
intentions, and none of those who were in the
old management will say anything, because
they don't know how it was done or what it
was done for. But even the strictest secrecy
| could not conceal all the facts.
WHAT A STAR REPORTER LEARNED.
STAR reporter got an inkling of what was
going on, the way in which Columbia stock was
jumping giving him all the pointer he needed.
An investigation was as once entered upon, and
sufficient has been learned to give solid founda-
| ton for the announcement that in all proba-
bllity, before July /. traffic arrangements will
be made by which passengers upon the Co
lumbia road will have the privilege of free
| transfers to the cars Of the Metropolitan street
! railway company, and the compliment will be
returned. The two roads will, it is already EVIL
dent, be practically under one management.
THE ADVANTAGES
| accruing to the people of the northeast from
this transfer are held to be of importance.
Heretofore, whenever they wanted to go any,
| where off the line Of the Columbia road they
| have been compelled to pay two fares. and
when they desired to return home there were
two more fares. To those who are blessed with
| large families the expense has been no incon-
siderable item, and they will doubtless hail with
| joy the contamination Of this new deal. It will
open up to Northeast Washington, for one fare.
the railroad depots, Center market, steamboat
wharves. North Washington and Georgetown,
and those who love base ball better than any,
| thing else will be able to reach the grounds
| direct by transferring to the Columbia cars at
one of the transfer stations which will be estab-
| lished. There will probably be two of these
| stations-one at 9th street and New York ave-
| nue., the other at 14th street and New York
| avenue. The time on the Columbia road will
be quickened considerably, and additional cars
will be put on 80 that the constantly increasing
| traffic may be properly cared for.
How a majority of the stock was secured
without the old management becoming aware
of its having been done until it was all over is
yet to be explained, but the fact that the prop
erty is In new hands is an indispu:able fact
The Metropolitan road is also reaching out in
| other directions, and has, it is understood, made
an arrangement by which it will work the new
Brightwood avenue street railroad in connec-
ton with its city lines.