Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-11
THE AQUEDUCT PIERS.
Citizens Want Street Railways to Be Al
lowed Their Use.
A Committee Calls ON the Commits
sfoners TOday-The Strength of
the Bridge Piers.

A special meeting of the board Of commits
sioners was held this morning to receive q
committee composed of Messrs. F. l.
Moore, John Marbury. jr., and DIR. L. W
Richie, representing the citizens of George
town, and a number of residents and prop
erty holders in the surrounding counties OF
Virginia.
The object of the hearing was set forth in
the following petition which Mr.. f. L. Moore
read:
I'VE are convinced that the cost of the
erection Of an independent bridge over the
Potomac river at or above Georgetown, for
the use of the ordinary suburban railway,
and TO AFFORD access to the city would be SO
great. that no company or companies hay-
irg for its. or their object the building of
such railways to Arlington cemetery, and
other points on the Virginia side, in the
vicinity Of the city could or would be justi-
ned in undertaking the erection Of such a
bridge. by any patronage possible for them
TO receive.
The general utility and advantage of
cheap and convenient communication with
SUCH points, by means of such RAILWAYS Is
manifest, but We fear that so long as their
construction and operation is coupled with
q Ieg9lrement Tor the construction of such
bridge, capital will not be available for
sucn enterprises; that in our opinion is sum
clentiy indicated by the fact that COMPANIES
incorporated NC, In the past for the purpose OF
pulluihg such railways have failed to effect
the object OF their Incorporation.
we believe. however. that If autbor,tr
were granted such company and compa-
mes TO use the portions of the piers of The
present Aqueduct or Free bridge which
project on either side of the present viaduct
and at a point feet below ito Is,1a,
the construction OF such RAILWAYS would he
a. once simulated. and that a number of
mem would soon be in operation. to the
great benefit of the District and the neigh
boring part OF Virginia; sucn use under
proper regulation, are assured by those
capable of judging, would materially
strengthen the bridge and in no way inter
iere with existing methods of travel
Inc undersigned property owners and
resiuents or Washington, Georgetown and
the neishborins part of Virginia. in view of
me premises. respectfully recommend. If
control in the matter rests with your honor
able body. that such permission TO use said
portions or said piers be granted to any and
every company which constructs a line of
railway (other than are to be operated nv
steam TO the Virginia end OF said bridge"
The petition contains a number of sigma
lures OF prominent citizens and business
men or Washington, Georgetown and Nir-
GINA, together with the Endorsement of the
georgetown Citizens Association
Question of Piers.
MIR. Marbury said he had lived within a
stones throw of the Aqueduct and witness
ed the driving of the first pile. The piers
were laid upon foundation Of rock. COT
ferdams were built and the builders of the
bridge went down many feet until they
struck natural rock. The people believe the
bridge is strong enough, and he believed
mere were no better constructed or stronger
piers in the United States.
Capt. Powell said he understood that a
report had been made
weakness of the piers. They could be
strengthened, however, If upon further in
'estigation they were found insufficient to
MI Marbury set forth the advantages to
De derived. and invited the Commissioners
o visit the locality and examine the situa-
ion.
The Commissioners promised to personally
inspect the bridge and do whatever they
,ould.