Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-15

\ ISro THE cIrY-rHE TWO LINKS OF THE LINE
now IN ITs PossEssIoS-rBE GREAT POSI-
/ BnrTIEs ron GEORGETOWN.
| There Is good news for the people of George
/ town and for the whole District for that matter
| in the fact that the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road has definitely and beyond all doubt sue
ceeded in getting terminus in the old city on
the other side OF Rock creek.
This fact, borne out by the further one that
! In all probability will be running into
Georgetown by next spring has caused large
sized rejoicing in the hearts Of the people Of
that staid but sanguine burg.
For some time past there have been runners
| that the D. and o. people had some large deal
on band that would give them the desired
| entrance for their tracks into George
town, but for the most part it was mere
conjecture. Now. however. the officers Of
| the Georgetown Barge. Dock, Elevs-
tor and Railway Company admit the soft
impeachment that they have sold their railway
to tho Baltimore and Ohio and that they have
not lost money by the deal. either. The STAR
il I'm position to state that qualified sale has
been made and there il reason, il is said
why the people over in the west should not just
get up and hustle and make things as lively as
they were in the days of the old canal.
TO BE coSsUMMArED TODAY Or TOMORROW.
Ane safe 10 SAIL 70 Ue quaiAueu oHe eimpiy
for the reason that the money involved in 1t has
not yet passed from one corporation to
the other The sale will be finally contaminated
this afternoon at latest within a day or two.
The presumption is that every one is satisfied
with the exception OF the other railroads
that now see how neatly they have been
cuchred ont of a very valuable privilege. How
ever much Of boon the railroad may be to
Georgetown there can be no doubt that the
move a wise one on the part OF the railroad
company. for it will give them freight and pas
senser facilities such as they have never had in
this city. in addition to first rate southern con-
nections
The Georgetown Barge, Dock, Elevator and
Railway Company owns . line Of tracks on
Water street. Georgetown, that is really not
much longer than the conipanys name. but 1t
was all important to the Baltimore and Ohio
people in their efforts to get into the District
IRON the west that they should get
possession of this email property. for it
bridged over the hiatus that would other
wise have existed between the point where it
was already possible for them to enter George
town and the point further cart, where it was
necessary for them to 60 in order to make 1t
worth their while at all.
THE RIGHTS THAT HAVE BEEN PURCHASED.
Under the act of Congress by which it was
incorporated. approved September &c. 1888,
'<he Georgetown Barge. Dock, Elevator and
and maintain single or double-track railways in
the city of Georgetown or West Washington,
District Of Columbia. through and along
Water street. beginning at point
on the west side Of the Aqueduct
bridge through and along said Water street
under said bridge TO the eastern terminus Of
said Water street ut Rock creek, with the priv
ilege of extending its tracks from the intersec-
ton of Water street and Washington or 30th
street along Washington Goth street to the
n - L. 49, II
Virginia avenue and Washington or 30th street
along Virginia avenue to Rock creek. with sid
in9s, turnouts turn tables and switches neces-
sary for the delivery Of cars to ware houses and
depots along said streets, and also to construct
and maintain ware houses depots and elevators
in said city of Georgetownaor West Washing
ton, with the right to receive and dispatch
boats and freight of all kinds and to run cars
on said tracks. sidings switches, turnouts and
turn tables. propelled by steam, horse or cleo
trio power"
THE OTHER CONNECTING LINK.
Several years ago a charter was granted to
the Washington and Western Railroad Com
pany to construct tracks along the north side
Of the Potomac through that stretch of country
that lies between the Free bridge aud the Chain
bridge This charter was to lapse unless the road
was completed by the 1st Of next March. It's
doubtful if the charter was obtained with any
actual intention Of building the road, but it
was thought that it might prove good invest
ment
has been laid nor a cutting made, and it was
work OF no great difficulty for the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad to get possession OF this
right It will be but a simple matter for them
then to Law out a track connecting at the Dis
trict line with the Metropolitan Southern, now
under course Of construction, to point near
the A9ueduct bridge. -.
This would still nave left them in a very I'M
desirable position. however. at the foot Of the
bluff at the western end of Georgetown. What
was necessary was to get into the heart of the
city to a point that would be much more
accessible from this side Of Rock creek.
The barge company's tracks along Water street
would enable them to do just this very thing
and to establish there freight depot at Water
and streets, where their is plenty Of avail
able room for freight yards and shifting tracks.
Hence the significance in the news that the b.
and D. has obtained possession Of the
Barge Compauy's property. With the land
the b. and o. will have in case it obtains
possession of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal
and the land that belonged to the Barge Com
pany the Baltimore and Ohio will have all the
land it really needs. especially as the Barge
Compsny's charter gave it the right of
access to the river at Both street.
where it had considerable holdings. In
order to comply with the provisions
Of the Washington and Westerns charter as to
completing that road by the LIST of March it
would be necessary to begin work at once
though it 10 believed that il work was begun in
earnest Congress would grant an extension of
the time If necessary.
REJOICING IN GEORGETOWN.
Georgetown people are naturally jubiant
over the prospect of a railroad in their very
midst and claim that it is but the omen of great
prosperity in the future. According to them the
Georgetown freight depot will Of necessity be-
come the receiving point for all freight whose
destination is west Of 18th street. Moreover it
will be possible to bring in cars in bulk. and in
this way grain can he run directly into the ele-
vators, doing away entirely with the hitherto
heavy charges incident to handling and trans
portation across the city. Lumber can be
dumped Just wherever il is desired in the lumber
yards and as for coal-well, Georgetown is lust
going to be regular storehouse for coal With
the road access to the river grain, lumber and
coal can be loaded directly an board schooners
that have discharged the cargoes they have
brought from other ports. With the
present freight yards for the railroads such
a state of things would be impossible. George
town will thus become once more an important
commercial point As it is now more than a
half OF the lumber business Of the District Ii
done in Georgetown, and with the increased
facilities there Is no telling where the prosperity
of the lumber men alone will cease.
The ultimate aim OF the Baltimore and Ohio
in running a branch south from Linden it is
generally admitted. is to make connections
Il Al ~