The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1893-12-15
THE DEER CREEK ELECTRIC RAILWAY
Town Ordinances for Rights of Way
Passed.
ELECTRIC LIGHTS FOR BEL AIR PROM
ISED.

Mr.. L. L. Watkins, President of the L. $.
Automatic Service Company, of Worcester
Mass, was before the Town Commissioners
of Bel Air, at meetings held on Friday and
Saturday evenings of last week, with reference
to the passage of an ordinance granting to his
company rights of way through the streets OF
| the town for an electric railway and for cleo
trio light and power purposes.
A number of prominent citizens of the town
were prese nt at both meetings. Mr.. Watkins
explained that his company is interested in
the projected enterprise for constructing an
electric railway from Bel Air to Stafford,
through the Deer Creek region, and from
Stafford to Havre de Grace In order to Sc
cure immediate connection with broad gauge
system it was proposed to first connect Bel Air
with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, at Van
Bibber or Joppa. This being completed the
next move would be to extend the road to
Stafford and Havre de Grace. After consider
able discussion the ordinance was passed. 1t
is published in another column. 1t will be
seen that the Town Commissioners have re-
served the right to designate the streets upon
which the tracks are to be laid; that the
grades of the streets are not to be changed
without the consent of the Commissioners,
and that the work of construction is to be en-
tirely under their supervision, as far as public
rights are concerned.
The work is to be completed within one
year, and if, after the road is built, there
should be a failure to operate it for ninety con-
secutive days, the franchises granted by the
town will be void An indemnity bond of
$4,000 is to be filed, for the protection OF the
town from any suits which may arise in the
construction or operation of the road.
The franchise is not an exclusive one and
does not prevent the Town Commissioners
from granting rights of way to any other cor
poration seeking to build a railroad through
the town.
The rights and interests of the citizens of
the town appear to be thoroughly protected
in this ordinance. Every facility should be
granted the projectors of this enterprise, the
successful completion of which will certainly
greatly benefit the town.
There was also some talk at the meetings
last week, of an electric railway connecting
Bel Air and Aberdeen. This is highly desir
able and If a beginning is made we have no
doubt the project would be carried out.
Mr. Watkins informed the Town Commits
sioners that his company will at once proceed
to establish an electric light plant in Bel Air,
material for the same being on the way here,
provided temporary power for running
dynamo can be secured.
Mr. Watkins had an interview, on Monday
night, with the Town Commissioners of
Aberdeen. who passed an ordinance granting
the company franchises in the town for their
electric railway and for electric light and
power purposes. An agreement was also
made that citizens of the town would sub
scribe $50, 900 to the capital stock Of the rail
way company, for the purpose of building
branch road from Aberdeen to Chenille,
where it would intersect the main line, and
from thence to the Susquehanna Paper Mills.
Mr.. Edgerley, representing the Paper Com
pany, was present at the meeting. The citi-
zens of Aberdeen also guaranteed to secure
rights of way. Mr.. Watkins stated that a
corps OF engineers, under Mr.. Edward II.
Hodges, would arrive at Aberdeen on Wednes-
day, and would Immediately proceed to sur
vey the route of the proposed branch. Mr..
Watkins went to Baltimore on Wednesday, to
superintend the transportation of his electrical
to Bel Air