Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-30
MORE RAILROAD HEARINGS,
The Commissioners Listen to Arguments in
reference to Bills Introduced.

The Commissioners Listen to Arguments in
reference to Bills Introduced.
The noon meeting of the board was entirely
taken up today by railroad hearings-
The first discussion was upon the District Of
Columbia suburban railway bill, which was un-
favorably reported upon by the Commissioners
several days ago, and the meeting this after
noon was for the purpose of a rehearing on it.
The Commissioners based their objections on
the fact that the territory sought for by the
road had not been laid out, and thcy were op-
posed to the occupancy of railroad in terri
tory through which the streets had not been
extended.
Representative J. d. Richardson spoke in
favor OF the road. He could not account for
a change in the minds OF the Commissioners.
They had favorably reported this bill at the
last session, and when adjournment came it was
before the House for final passage, having
been favorably reported by both committees.
Capt. Rossell said he was opposed to the occu-
pancy by railroad of the section sought, for
the reason that the proposed plan for the ex-
tension OF the city streets had not been adopted
Representative Richardson did not see how
this could be an objection. There was pro-
vision In the bill giving the Commissioners au-
thority to change grades, &c. Capt. Rossell
replied that the provision was not broad
enough. There was nothing in the bill author
lzing the Commissioners to move the tracks
of any road. He cited the case of the Queens
Chapel road, over which the proposed railroad
was to run. The road had never been finally
laid out. and when the new plan for the extension
OF city streets was decided upon the road might
be wiped out II this was done what would be-
come of the railroad2 1t was too long to
change. Commissioner Douglass was opposed
to the fve-yeaT clause, which gave the COM
pany that period in which to complete their
road. He thought it was too early to allow any
company to pre-empt that territory from
Hyattsville around the District line westward
Replying to Capt. Rossell's objection, Col
Eppa Hunton said the incorporates were will
ing to insert a section in accordance with his
idea, and he submitted an amendment author
izing the Commissioners to compel the rail-
road company to change their route to con-
form to the streets when the general plan of
the extensionl of streets had been decided
upon.
The Commissioners took the matter under
Amusement and will make an additional re-
sideratiOn Senate bill 1893 to incorporate the
Washington and Bladensburg Railroad Com
pany.
Mr.. NJ. I. Weller approved the general pur-
pose of the bill, blu: thought the route should
be modified SO as to require it to run along c
and D streets northeast to 18th street to accom-
modate the largo section between East Capitol
and H streets, which has no street railroad ia
cilities. II this were done it would receive the
Endorsement Of all people who are interested
in property in the northeast
Judge Jere NJ. Wilson, in behalf Of the Metro
politan railroad objected to so much of the
route that conceded with and ran over the
counsel for the proposed road, spoke in its
favor. The company was willing, he said. to
run up c street and abandon the Bladensburg
road. The meeting then adjourned.