Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-01-25

yet would be the one which would pay
the most. He proposed another line,
either out Columbus and by Madison
street, or by st. Asaph Junction, and
perhaps by All extension up the Duke
street line, through West End, to the
High School. He proposed also line
to Washington, to Arlington, and to
Falls Church, so as to bring that section
of the country to the city Of Ale1an-
dria.
Mr. 8Iushbach asked if he was as
sured ola suticiency of capital to do
the work.
Mr. S. responded that he was sure of
ample capital for the purpose.
Mr.. John NJ. Johnson said he came
as the retained attorney of the Wash
ington, Alexandria and Mt. Vernon
Railroad Company, but his opinions as
a citizen were in accordance with the
argument he should make on the occa-
sion He said Mr. Spears proposition
was both illegal and ineSpedient. The
Council had no right to grant right of
way over the streets until authorized to
do so by the general assembly. The
proposal of Mr.. Spear was so general
that the Council had no right to COM
nit the city to it.
He explained the difficulty which the
Washington, Alexandria and Mount
Vernon Railroad Company had had to
contend with in crossing the Henry
street and the Fayette street rail-
roads. In both cases there was time
lost, and but for that the road would
now be extended to Payne street. They
had had the material ready for q long
time. He said that the two things
which helped community were quick
transit in the city and quick transit to
the city. The Mt. Vernon Railroad
Company wished to carry its road to
Washington.
Mr.. Mushbach ;"That is what we pro-
pose to do"
Mr.. Johnson, continuing, said that
the aim Of the Mt. Vernon Company
was to get a track to Washington and
now that was opposed.
Mr.. Mushbach "You are only oppos-
ing Mr.. Spear
Mr. Johnson: 1--WE are opposing no.
body. We want to go on in harmony.
We do not oppose anything. 1t is
valuable right, and we make modest
request"
Mr. Mushbach "And you pay mod
est sum-" (meaning they paid nothing.)
Mr.. Johnson "If you are going to
hawk it up, put it at auction and we'll
bid as much as any one else"
Mr.. Mushbach "Tell lis how much
you will give"
Mr.. Johnson said the Mt. Vernon
Electric Company had brought here
$3.50 900 capital, and invested it.
Mr.. MushDach: "Who brought it ~
Mr.. Johnson Il don't know any
thing in Gods name about that"
Mr.. Mushbach Did not Luther w.
Spear bring it?
Mr.. Johnson "If he did, why did he
not have skill enough to keep it?'
Mr.. Johnson, continuing, said there
WAS ample room for two roads. The
increase of the population might need
three railways. Don't he said, make
any exclusive right for S25, 900 extend
ed over thirty years. The Mount Yer
non road had $4,000 capital now sub
ject to taxation here which would give
81 800 per annum taxes. He asked
Council TO act in the matter for the
benefit of the town and not Tor mo-
nopoly. Mr. Johnson spoke quite ve-
hcmently and during his address asked,
WHO is this man Spear
Mr.. Spear having still 90 minutes of
time, said he could not make as
much noise as Mr.. Johnson but he
thought he could lay business matter
quietly before Council. Mr.. Johnson
had asked who is l.. w. Spear. He
would reply; "Heis the man who built
or caused to he built the finest electric
road in the country, the road from al
exandria 10 Mount Vernon" ZAP
plause) Mr.. Spear quoted from To-
cal item in the GAZETTE Il few days
ago, in illustrating his faith in the
growing prosperity of Alexandria,
wherein the question was asked, "Who
would have thought few years ago
that rival street railway companies
would ever contend for right of way
over thoroughfares on her very sub
ur5s9" He believed that Alexandria
had a future and when he came here
he came on business, but he knew no
one here until he met Captain
Knox, Mr.. Fisher and Mr.. Har-
low and fell into the hands of Mr.
Agnew, Mr.. Reed and Mr.. Cation.
He worked with them as hard az he
ever worked in lis life and he built the
Mount Vernon electric road. He was
not now connected with that road.
Why he had left was personal matter,
and did not canGern this occasion.
At first after leaving the Mt Vernon
company, he had considered the pro-
priety of leaving Alexandria but he saw
room here for another deal, and he de-
termined to make It. ue Went after
mole eapital, and he had now backing
to make this street railway. and to 30
make other developments. He desired
to contradict most emphatically some
of the statements that Mr.. Johnson had
made. 1t was not true that tae w, A.
& Mt. Y. Co. was delayed by reason of
trouble in crossing the Pennsylvania
road at Fayette street, Sc. That is all
for effect. 1t is not true aud they know
it is aot yrue. Yhe electric road
managers did not want to make any
improvement to benefit the Alexandria
side of the creek hut wanted to use all
their capital to build on the New Alex
andria side. He had, however, insist
ed that the north and west end c. Al
exandria should have some chance, and
it was so understood when he ieIt last
year to go Wast, but when he came
back he found the northwest had been