Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-04-04

nroaosj.i II ;ti. Washington,
lrount Vernon and Alexandria Rail
raad 10 cross with its tracks the north
crn boundary OF the Potomac flats was
discussed at the adjourned meeting Of
m, Washington Board of Trade, last
mint. The attendance was large, a
number from this city being present.
Many members participated in TIE
debate, and the report of the committee
IN parks and reservations, submitted
at the meeting last week where the
question at issue was first raised, was
recommitted by close vote.
Mr.. 4. D. Anderson opened
the debate. He declared that the
Washington, Mount Vernon, and
Alexandria road did not seek iu-
d6rsement from the Board of Trade
He was attempting to correct inac-
clrate impressions and asked that the
board should not commit itself against
the proposition TO cross the Potomac
flats at the upper boundary. He re-
ferred TO the resolutions offered at the
previous meeting III the conclusion of
the report of the committee on parks
aud reservations as unfair, judged by
the bylaws of the organization. The
new road was not in the interest Of the
PENNSYLVANIA Railroad. The board
should not waste its strength in con-
demning any individual enterprise or
corporation. Mr. Anderson then re-
terrcd to the term Of vandals used in
the report with reference to those who
proposed 10 cross the flats. He wanted
10 assure the gentlemen that the var
dads who were proposing to invade the
flats were men that had proposed to
build q substantial iron bridge across
Arlington, and to give roadway and
iootway to the public in order to get
their road across the river. He thea
pointed out the proposed route of the
road and insisted that than road did not
curve or touch the reclaimed flats eX-
cept at TwciltN- street, where it
proposed to cut oil 80 feet on account
of engineering difficulties. The War
Department had sanctioned the route
rs laid out, except that ii advocates Il e
road going up 26th to T. street and
there crossing the river. At this point,
however, there were rocks aud a steep
grade. 1t was impossible TO drive piles
and the current was swift aud strong in
time Of! lreshct. at had been sug-
gested,n he continued, that the road
could 90 up Virginia avenue and ND as
far rs the Three Sisters, but this was
absurd, because this made it necessary
to 90 two and onc-half miles out of the
way The company proposed to con
form 10 existing laws on overhead
trolley. On the Virginia side and
on tie steam transfer, also, there
would he lie overhead trolley
MeSsrs. H. +. Blount and A. p Far
don interposed certain objections to Mr..
Andcrson's propositions, and suggested
other routes for the road some where
heavy grades would be encountered,
others two and three miles out of the
way and some where considerable on
g;ncering difficulties would be cncount-
cred or where it would be impossible to
drive piles.
Mr.. +. a. Reed, of this city, plainly
and logically showed the impractical
biiity of these suggestions.
lie was followed by Mr.. Anderson
who further stated the objects Of the
proposed road.
Mr. Theodore w. Noyes spoke in op-
position to the route.
Mr.. Thomas J. King thought there
had been too much protection in Wash
ington. Recently it had driven away
a magnificent project which the city
should have had, an opera house. He
cited examples of New York, Philadel-
pba and other cities, and appealed to
jhe members TO get away from the eX-
ampes of Baltimore and Alexandria.
Mir King moved that the whole report
be referred back to the committee with
Instructions to modify it so as to pro
vide for the interests of the District Of
Columbia.
lIr. Charles C. Lancaster thought the
report was not fair, and that the men
who came to build the road were repu-
tublo men 1t was an injustice to inn
pose upon the enterprise. 1t was COM
hitting the Board of Trade to a narrow
principle, which was not in keeping
with its scope.
Mr.. Reed said the company would
pav for the land asked for, il good
title would be assured. Mr. Moves had
alluded to fast trains, but the rails TO
he laid on the proposed road would be
Ike those laid on Pennsylvania avenue,
and the cars were not so long as the
steam cars.
Mr.. Kings substitute was carried by
vote of SO to -. The motion to re-
commit was passed by q vote of IS to 50.
Mr. NJ. &. Harlow, of this city, said
he thought there should be a provision
for the election of the officers of boards
of trade and chambers of commerce in
other cities to membership, and it was
voted to instruct the committee on
membership to take this matter under
advisement.
Mr. Harlow had previously, in refer
ring to the intentions of the Mount
Vernon Railroad, contended that Wash
iustouians should by no means under
take 10 keep people from entering the
capital city by throwing barriers in
their way, and said the Potomac river
should not be made sort of checdUr &c
'rif between the entire southern @oun-
Try and the metropolis of the nation.
The meeting was then adjourned for
two weeks.
FALLS CHURCH AND PoToMAC Il. H.
The report of the District of Columbia
-, 3I,, J',Ils ('hDrpn and