Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-06

Those interested in the construction of the 4
proposed Washington, Alexandria and Noun, /
Vernon electric railway think they have over |
come in bill which was introduced in both
houses Of Congress today the objections TO
their bill which has been pending before Con-
gress and which were made chiefly on account
Of the bridge they proposed 10 erect across
the river from the Arlington estate between
the Long bridge and the Aqueduet bridge.
Objection was also made by Mai. Davis Of the en-
gineer corps to the provision permitting the rail-
road to cross the reclaimed area of the Potomac
river without fixing any limit as to the width
OF the right of wsy or providing any compeusa-
tion to the United States for the ground TO be
occupied. The bill introduced today 10 entitled
a bill to authorize the Washington, Alexandria
and Mount Vernon Electric Railway Company
TO construct bridge across the Potomac river
opposite Observatory Hill, and to construct a
railroad over the same and through certain
streets and reservations.
The bill authorizes the company Ito con-
struct and Law down a double track railway,
with the necessary devices for operating the
same by electrical, cable, compressed cir or
other power. except steam, to be approved by
the Commissioners of the District of Columbia
for carrying passengers, parcels, milk and truck
by the following route, namely; Across the
lower portion Of the Arlington reservation IN
the state OF Virginia TO q point on said river on
posite Observatory Hill, where said company is
hereby authorized to construct and maintain
an iron bridge across said river on
such plans ~ the Secretary Of War
may approve: and from thence across the
extreme upper corner of the reclaimed fats
to a point where New York avenue extended
crosses the lower portion of Observatory Hill;
thence along New York avenue to @ street;
along & to Virginia avenue; along Virginia ave-
nue. to b street; along b TO 18Th street. and
along 18th street to the south side OF Pennsyl-
vania avenue. opposite the Hotel Randall
Also from said bridge along New York avenue
TO 18th street;and along 18th street to the south
side OF Pennsylvania avenue opposite the War
Department.
That said bridge shall be constructed of
iron. with a carriageway and footwsy side of
the railway tracks. which csrriageway and foot
way shall at all times be free to the public
That said bridge shall have draw erected Of
suitable dimensions for the accommodation OF
vessels. That the construction of said bridge
shall be commenced within one year from the
passage OF this act and shall be completed
within three years after the commencement of
construction.
That the tracks OF said company on the
bridge may be freely used for the passage of
cars with motive power of the kind described
by this act belonging 10 any individual or cor
poration legally authorized thereto upon max
any dispute shall arise concerning such COM
pensation or manner of any party in in
terest may apply to the Supreme Court Of the
District of Columbia. which court is hereby
empowered to fix the amount TO be paid for
such use and the mode IN which such use NAV
be enjoyed.
That the said railroad company shall have
power and authority to borrow money and TO
Issue and sell its bonds from time to xime for
such sums as its board Of directors may deem
expedient and proper for the purposes of the
company. and may secure the payment OF its
bonds by mortgages or deeds of trust upon all
or any portion of its property, real or personal
Its contracts. privileges and franchises acquired
under this act''
The District Commissioners will be asked TO
report this bill to Congress a substitute for
the old bill.
THE coMPASys PLANS.
Referring to the bill Mr.. Alex d. Anderson.
the general counsel Of the railway company,
said today to a STAR reporter:
Il consider the proposition made by my
clients. who are mainly capitalists of Pbiisdel-
phia and New York. remarkably liberal one
and most valuable precedent for the people of
the District. They accept the site urged by the
War Department, which site has always been
the fayorite one with the public: also substan-
italy accept the style of bridge recommended
by Col. Hams IN his report TO the Senate. The
structure recommended by him was an iron
truss with four spans of about 300 feet each
the second span from the Washington side 20
be pivot draw. The height Of the bridge is
to be twenty-eight feet above low tide. BY
adopting this site il is unnecessary to cross the
Potomac flats except the extreme upper corner
between Observatory hill and the river, TO
which can reasonably object
Ny clients offer to build this bridge at their
own expense. and throw open the carriage way
and foot way free to the public. II authorized
hvH harnr A%l
pect to have both the railway and bridge COM
plete within nine months, and in operation be-
fore Congress assemblies in December. Under
the terms of the bill steam power is expressly
prohibited. The principal starting point of
the electric railway is the south side % Penn
sylvania avenue on 18th street opposite the
Hotel Randall, thence along 18th to b,
along 3 to Virginia avenue; thence
by c street to Observatory bill. After
crossing the bridge the railway will pass by the
front gates of the Arlington cemetery, and
thence southwark directly to Alexandra, where
it will connect with the existing electric rail-
way to Mt. Vernon. In brief the road connects
the hotel, street railway. theater and depart
ment centers Of Washington on the one side
with Arlington. Alexandra and Mt. Vernon on
the other By direct line with the best equip
ments of any electric railway ever before at
tempted"
MAJOR DAVIS REPORT.
The report Of Major Davis on the bridge
which was proposed in the old bill making OBJ
jections which the present bill was drawn to
meet, said: The Long bridge is now the only
bridge across the Potomac below Georgetown.
The United States, however, proposes to build
bridge on or near the line Of New York ave-
nue. extended to afford direct and convenient
communication with the national cemetery at
Arlington. resolution of the Senate of Nav
"a 1856, called for report upon a government
bridge, with a suitable draw, at this locality