Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-01-20

though in order to do so it will cause US to
run train deadhead from Washington to
Quautico and also to bring back the engine
and crcE that now runs TO Quautico OH No
D, deadhead from Quautico TO Washington.
give you this detail 50 as TO show you how
much ne are endeavoring to rectify this con-
dlion Of affairs. With regard to the short
runs, l am endeavoring to heat the lay-oYer
ears n alexandria so rs not 10 cause SO much
deiay, and nope 10 get them on time again.
We will watch this matter daily until We do so.
Yoars truly,
J. B. HUTCHINSON, Superintendent.
Mr.. Herbert Ramey then gave his
experience on late trains and cold cars
and said the reasons for such were not
all as stated in Mr. Hutchinson's letter.
Others also thought that the reasons
for the delays were not as stated in the
lie ter.
Mr.. George A1cBurney said that he,
too, had written TO Mr.. Hutchinson in
regard to the matter and had received
the following letter:
p. W. 4 B. X. L. Co. MD. DIV,
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT,
WuMISGToN, Del. Jan. ID, 1898.
lfr. G. McBuraey. care of Mr.. !. ". Pousrs,
No 915 Louisiana .iceaue, ". ". Washing
ton, d. C.
Dear Sir am in receipt of your favor of
the It'll instant and the petition referred TO
has been received. l will take pleasure in
giving the matter immediate attention and
endeayor to rectfy the difficulties referred to.
Yours truly,
J. e. HUTCHINSON, Superintendent.
One of the speakers said the delays
in running the trains worked injurious
" to Alexandria. as he knew that three
gentlemen had been compelled to re-
move to Washington solely for that rea-
son.
Mr.. G.. d. Hopkins wanted to force
the railroad company to give better ia
cilities. &c. He advocated the patron
ling of the boats when the river open
ed again.
Mayor Strauss suggested that imme7
diate relief was needed. He said the
railroad company had led the city by
the nose long enough; the company
should build better depot and give
better facilities and accommodations to
| its patrons, but he did not know what
the meeting could do. He called on
Capt. Mushbach for his views on the
subject of the city's right to secure bet
ter railroad facilities.
Captain NJ. said he was in sympathy
with every effort that might be made
to secure better railroad accommoda-
ton. but did not know what right the
city had to require the railroad to give
better facilities, &c. If railroads adj
vertised to run trains at certain times
and failed to do so they were liable for
damages which might eusue, In reply
to an inquiry Captain NJ. said there is
no building inspector in this city.
Mr. DePutron suggested that build
ing inspector might condemn the pro-
sent depot and thus compel the cree
ton of better one.
Mr.. d. r. Stansbury said that much
of the trouble was caused by the COM
pany trying to do too much work with
one train instead of running two.
Mr.. DePutron wanted the price of
tickets reduced in proportion to the
charge TO points near TO and north of
Washington. He gave figures showing
that the cost of tickets between this
city and Washington was higher than
between this city and the villages north
of it.
Mr. J. NJ. Barrett moved to appoint
committee Of three to go Wilmington
or elsewhere and confer with the rail
road officials and see if the evils COM
planned of could not be remedied.
Mr. +. d. Hester offered resolution
arraigning the railroad officials for the
inadequate facilities and aocommoda-
tons furnished its patrons, and urging
the Virginia members Of Congress to do
all in their power to secure the passage
of a bill for the erection Of Il bridge
across the Potomac for the electric rail-
way company. He favored stringent
measures, and violently attacked the
railroad company, which he termed a
selfish octopus.
Mr.. Z. Z. Thompson advocated the
appointment of n committee of five to
wait on Mr. Hutchinson in person, state
the grievances of the patrons of the
road and demand redress.
Mr.. G.. w. Fisher said abuse of the
COMPANY would accomplish nothing. He
advocated the appointment of a COM
mittee to go to Wilmington and in a
proper manner state their grievances to
Mr.. Hutchinson and freely discuss the
matter with him.
Mr.. NJ. B. Harlow said he had fire.
quently been on committees that had
waited on the railroad officers in refer
ence to the needs of Alexandria, and
with but poor success. He said the
''shcdn used for depot building here
was not fit for a village and the COM
pany should build better one. He
said that Gen. Hill, the State railroad
commissioner, had told him that when
the people of Alexandria wanted him
to come here and compel the erection
of better depot he would do so. Gen:
Hill had said that under the railroad
law ofthe State he had the power to
compel railroads to erect suitable de-
pots, and that he had compelled the
erection of a fine depot at Woodstock:
Mr.. Harlow then narrated what had
been done by Council in reference to
securing better depot, the running OF
more trains, &C., but all that had been
secured was the paving of certain
squares on Henry street By the railroad
company. He said Alexandria needed
Communication with Washington sepa-
rate from the Pennsylvania railroad
an electric railway, with a five-cent
fare between the two cities, and then
Alexandria in short time would
double her population. lie advocated