Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-09
TWO YEARS OF TROILEYs.
Why the lexington Hallway Company
Wants an ENtcnsion of Timn.

In reference TO the extension for the compile
ton asked for in the bill the lexington Rail-
road Company, through its president. Mr.
George Truesdell, sen. the following letter To
the Commissioners today:
1--WE request your favorable consideration
upon II. r. 975S and S. 1921. to amend the
charter of the lexington and Soldiers Home
Railroad Company, upon the following grounds:
"Beginaing with October 81. 1891, Ibis COM
pauy has mad It's 5th aud "a streets liue operated
by storage batteries under contract
with the AccumUlltor Company of Phila-
delpnia. suit of Brush against that COM
pany for infringement of his storage battery
patents resulted in September last in the Ac-
cumulator Com pany being enioiaed from using
storage batteries. and that company has aban-
doncd the operation of our road under its con-
tract with us.
I'VE are now receiving propositions from
other companies, with a view to equipping our
eXtcnsions-granted under act of Congress
passed In Jlly last-rith a storage battery
system, which will be free from embar-
rassments on account of patent litigs-
ton, with underground electrical con-
duit, and we hope very shortly TO close a
contract for one or the other of these systems
In either case, however. the expenditure re-
quired will be very large and will absorb
all our available means, including the new
issue of stock. If in addition. therefore,
TO the grea: expenditures required for build
ing and equipping the new extensions which
are Of great importance TO the public, we should
be required to take down oar overhead wires
on New York avenue. would be very greatly
crippled and would be temporarily obliged TO
operate that part of the line with horses.
This company has for two years diligently
and at great expense tried to solve the problem
I Of rapid transit in this city withou: resort TO
overhead wires; but it has beeu embarrassed
By the patent litigation affecting the use of
storage batteries, well rs by The great ex-
pense which the use of that system, as at pres
ent understood. has involved.
Notwithstanding the discouragements We
have encountered heretofore, however, it Is our
purpose 20 press forward. and either by the
use of improved batteries. il they can be had
or an electrical conduit, if that can
be secured. TO equip our new extern
sions-amounting 60 about eight miles of
single track. Pending the building and equip
ment OF these extensions with a system that
In either case. can hardl. be said 70 be vet a
commercial success. il would be a great hard
ship upon the company. and no good could
take down our line on New York avenue
and temporarily operate that line with horses
That line is an existing line and is not,
therefore, open to tie objection OF in
Producing a line of wires. 1t is on a
broad street, and no property holder, far
as we know. along the line has ever found anv
fault with il. but. or the contrary We are ad-
vised and believe that it gives general salts
faction.
1--WE only ask for two years longer to main
tain this line, until We can have time TO get our
extensions properly equipped and under sue
cessful operation"