Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-05
RAILROAD BILLS APPROVED.
But the District Commissioners Suggest Be,
eral Important Amendments.


eral Important Amendments.
The Commissioners devoted almost the entire
day yesterday to the consideration of pending
railroad bills. and when they ceased their
labors they had made reports on . number of
them.
The first bill considered was Senate bill 1866
to amend the act incorporating the Washing
ton and Arlington Railway Company. They
urge . number OF minor amendments. notably
the striking out of the second section con-
ferring too general power upon the company,
and say that if the bill is amended as they ad-
wise they have no objections to offer. The Sec
ond section referred to gives the company
power to purchase other railways or to con-
solidate.
Favorable action = recommended upon,
Senate bill 1876 to incorporate the East
Washington Cross-town Railway Company. The
Commissioners say IN their report that this
road, if constructed, would afford much needed
and convenient transportation facilities be-
tween Last W Washington and other points of the
city and in their Judgment be consistent with
pubilc lnterests. They recommend. however,
that section IA be amended as to provide
that whenever more than one of the tracks shall
be constructed upon any of the highways of
the District that the width between the tracks
| shall not exceed four feet.
The following amendments are urged upon
Senate bull 1907 to amend the charter of the
Rock Creek Railroad Company: Section l,
after the word street In line 8, insert thence
along Florida avenue to North Capitol street"
Inns amendment requires the company to con-
struct Its tracks along Florida avenue to North
Capitol street instead of stopping at q point
$50 feet east of It'll street. The bill is further
amended by inserting after the word TACT in
line II the following: Except that portion
from It'll TO North Capitol streets. which must
be completed within two years. and whenever
n tha frae boil
highway that the space between the tracks
shall not exceed four feet
With some small changes favorable recon-
menoation Is made on House bill 1857 to incor-
porate the Maryland and Washington hallway
Company.
Favorable action is also recommended on
Senate bill 2023 TO authorize the Norfolk and
Western Railroad Company of Virginia to ex-
tend its line of road into and within the Dis
trict of Columbia. The Commissioners how
ever, recommend that the time for completing
<he road be reduced to one and two years re-
spectiyely.
The Commissioners recommend the enact
ment OF Senate bill 1902 to amend the act in
cooperating the Washington and Western Mary
land Railroad Company There are several
amendments recommended, one OF which is
authorizing the construction of its line across
the Chesapeake and Ohio canal ard the Gov
eminent road at point about 2, 400 feet east
OF the Chain bridge by means of a bridge with
"
present grade of said road and SO elevated
above the canal not to interfere with its travel
and traffic, and to proceed along the north
line OF the canal and road westwardly TO
the western line of the District of Columbia on
line to be approved by the Commissioners of
the District OF Columbia, and to locate, con-
struct, maintain, operate and enjoy such a con-
tlnuance railroad and telegraph line with all
necessary appurtenances between the point of
crossing and the District line; and, further,
hat
shall construct a stone wall along the west line
OF the River road where necessary, and to make
continuous wall between said point Of cross
ing and the Chain bridge of the same
character as that east Of the point
OF crossing. The bridge over the River road
to be constructed with span sufficient to
allow the widening of that road to Atty feet, and
the District reserves the right to widen il to
NIFTY feet at any future time. 1t is also pro-
vided that the slope of the railroad embank-
ment shall not eucrOach upon the River or
Chain Bridge road, which is thirty three feet
wide. and suitable retaining walls shall be con-
structed to preserve the full width of road
when necessary to prevent such encroach
ments and, further. that whenever the District
authorities shall find 1t necessary to construct
a road interesting the line OF the railroad the
railroad authorities shall provide proper
crossing and replace their roadbed with a
bridge of a span to be determined by the Com
missloners. 1t Is further provided that the
rallroad company In securing ats right OF way
through private property within the District
stipulate that the District of Columbia
shall have right without charge of any
kind to cross the said right OF way with
any public sewer, water main, con-
duit or other underground construction.
In conclusion the Commissioners say that it is
understood that this road is to be branch of
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad and in their
opinion will be of great advantage to the Dis
trict, especially to Georgetown. In making
connection with the main line Just outside the
District line the Topography necessitates a
rapid rise from Georgetown, and the change
asked for they think is right and proper.
With the exception OF several minor changes
favorable action il recommended on House
bill 429 to incorporate the District of Columbia
Suburban Railroad Company.
Favorable action is also recommended on
Senate bill 1878 to authorize the extension of
the line of the Columbia railway. few minor
amendments are recommended.