Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-03
THEY WANT RAILROADS,
Enthusiastic Meeting of Prominent Citizens
in Georgetown.

| TWO RESOLUTIONS PASSED SETTING FORTH THE
NEED OF STEAM RAILROAD FAcnrTIEs-A
LIVELY DEDATE-wHAT SOME GENTLEMEN SAID
TO A STAR REPORTER AFTER THE MEETING
WAS OVER.
The citizens Of Georgetown want railroads
| 1t is almost matter of indifference to them
what railroad they get or how many of them,
but railroads Of some sort they mus. have.
Mr.. George ". Kings insurance Office on High
street, Georgetown, last night contained about
| fifty of the prominent citizens Of Georgetown.
They were there in answer to a call and they
were there to express firm desire for and an
earnest invitation to any railroad to extend its
tracks into Georgetown.
There was big table in the room and in
very short time John T. Mitchell was installed
behind it as chairman, while II. r. LOCKER sat
at his side secretary. The others present
ranged themselves along the wall. while Mr..
King occupied the vantage ground Of position
behind the Office railing. The meeting was in
earnest and did not waste much time in pre-
lin,inaries.
THE RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
Here are the two resolutions which were
passed. the first without trouble and the sec
ond after some debate.
The first declared "that the honorable Com
missioners of the District of Columbia be re-
quested to exert their influence in Congress in
obtaining permit charter looking to the
entrance Of roads into this town and the con-
struction of bridge north of the present Aque-
duct or Free bridge, and the location of said
road or roads to be designated by the Commits
sioners."
The second read: ''Resolved, That it is of
vital importance to the welfare and business in
terests OF Georgetown that there should be
some steam railroad facilities here, and it is
urged that Senators and members of the House
who have charge of District affairs use their
influence and votes to have the bill asked for
by the Norfolk and Western railroad passed as
amended and recommended by the District
committees at this session OF Congress, and
that they also desire the passage of the bill
asked for by the Baltimore and Ohio company
to enter Georgetown"
THE DEBATE INTERESTING AND LIVELY.
The debate on the resolution was interesting
and at times rather lively. 1t disclosed the
fact that the desire of the meeting was for more
railroads. The two plans which have been ad-
vanced lately, the Norfolk and Western and the
scheme fostered by the Baltimore and Ohio,
were both Endorsed. as in a general way was the
plan for any railroad into Georgetown.
Mr.. q. w. King thought the resolutions should
be passed. in order to show the Commissioners
that residents of Georgetown were in earnest in
their demands for railroads. He did not speak
from authority. but was OF opinion that such a
movement would brace up the authorities at
the District building in their advocacy of the
various Measures.
Mr.. Boteler thought stand should be made
on one road. The Norfolk and Western had
received the Endorsement Of the Commits
sloners and he thought the meeting. without
wasting ammunition. should indorse this rail-
railroad. The Pennsylvania road had refused
the road use of the Long bridge. as the
projectors desired entrance into Washing
tor. They were i'll earnest with their George
town scheme.
THE MORE THE MERRIEa.
Mr.. Theodore King thought that the princi-
pie 1.-THE moro the merrier' applied to the
case. He wanted the road mentioned to come
into Georgetown as well as the Baltimore and
Ohio and as many others as possible.
Mr. g. ": King expressed like kindly views
toward projected roads.
Mr.. a. Greenless, who offered the second
resolution, thought the meeting should do
something definite. 1t ough: to express its
opinion fo- or against the Norfolk and Western
road. He asked that the bill charterirg this
company and pending before Congress be real.
This bill, il will be remembered, provides for
a railroad from the Virginia side, across the
river on suitable bridge. and by way of Water
street and bridge across Rock creek to a sta
ton west OF 26tk street west and between PENN
sylvania avenue and Virginia avenue.
oUGHTN'T TO INDoRsE ANY ONE ROAD.
Mr.. John Leetch thought it rather remark
able that persons who were not interested in
any one road should come to the meeting
armed with bills and resolutions in the interest
of one specific road. The Norfolk and Western
plan had been antagonized by many of the best
citizens of Georgetown. The bill gives the
road Water street and provides that no other
road shall come over that street without per-
mission. BY indorsing the bill. said Mr.. Leetch
you antagonize other roads which are DESTROYS
OF entrance. The meeting should simply in
his opinion, express its desire for additional
railroad facilities and leave the choice open to
the Commissioners and Congress.
Mr.. G. w. King agreed with Mr.. Leetch. He
wanted all the railroads possible and did not
think it wise to antagonize other roads by in
dorsing one.
Reference was made to the Barge Dock. Ele-
vator and Railroad Companys tracks ana Mr.
Mitchell stated that in his opinion if this con-
pany did not do more in the future than it had
III the past their charter should be forfeited
Mr.. MitCh hell compared the company to the
proverbial dog in the manger.
MIR. Greerless disclaimed favoring any spe-
ciic railroad scheme. The Norfolk and Western
plan had been much talked about and he
thought an opinion of the merits Of the plan
should be made by the meeting.
The discussion was continued in the same
strain Tor few moments and afterward the
resolutions were passed
THEY ARE IN EARNEST.
Prominent citizens of Georgetown are I'M
dOubtedly in earnest in their endeavors for
railroad facilities. At the close of the meeting
last night Mr.. Greenless said: 1--WE must have
railroads. We have Endorsed the two projected
roads and will indorse others as they come up'
One prominent citizen said to a STAR re-
porter that Georgetown was the natural and
coming railroad center for the District. He
favored almost any railroad project which con-
tanned plan for terminal facilities in George
town. be did not approve of making George
town way station, but wanted the depots sit
uated there.
Another gentleman said: Railroads will be
the making OF Georgetown. Iapprove of any
plan for roads into Georgetown. l would
favor o road which ran its tracks through
my back yard, and it isnOt very big back yard,
either
The resolutions passed last night will be sent
to the Commissioners and to the District COM
mittees.
Among those present last night were s. T.
Brown. Willis Manogue. William Tenney. ]. T.
Mitchell, J. A. Baker. MIR. Libbey. Mr. Laird.
MIR. Nordlinger, Mayhem Platter, H. B. Gilbert.
c. d. Cropley, ID. Tickling, Maj George Hill.
n. j. Laughlin, W. h. Grimes and A. j. Bare
Aid for the Destitute.
The following suhsc rintiooe for &bo h.-.cx