Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-03

to finally close up all this controverted Dis
trict matter; and If that be the good judg-
ment of the committee We submitted an Of
fer to pay to the District the entire amount
Of the alleged cost Of the work done be-
tween 18th street and the Capitol which
was the only portion of the road construct
ed and In operation at the time of the
board of works existence. This PROPOSE
ton calls for the payment of $50 .993. 50, and
excludes only the amounts claimed for
work on streets and avenues where the
company had not constructed it's road and
was not operating when these pavements
were laid.
'The Metropolitan Railroad Company has
endeavored, without evasion or conceal
ment, to submit all the facts of this case
fairly for your judgment. We have en-
deavored, in good faith, to meet all reason
able objections, and am authorized to say
that the company. indicating it's prefer
ence for a bill without amendment, or for
the amendments in the order Of above
statement, will accept and execute which,
ever of them Congress may approve"
The Commissioners Brief.
"A brief glance at the Commissioners
statement" said Mr.. Nathaniel Wilson,
when the committee was called to order,
shows that there is nothing new in the
matter"
matter in the statement" said Mr. Cogs-
1t was decided to have the Commissioners
brief read by the clerk. which was done
II just wish to say one word" remark ed
Mr. Stephenson. when the reading was con-
cluded. I'VE would be glad to pay you
nine per cent on our gross receipts If We can
charge a straight five-cent fare. The diff
ference between that and the present rate
of six tickets for a quarter would amount
to about $500 a year"
Mr. Nathaniel Wilson explained that in
his statement that there Is nothing new in
the Commissioners brief he meant 20 say
that the facts detailed therein are already
In documentary form or record.
This paper from the Commissioners
comes rather late" he continued 1T is
hard to be called on at the last moment
to answer charges. when we have tried in
every way to come to an understanding
and / say that with all due respect 10 the
Commissioners"
Wants Adjudication.
Mr.. Wilson said there is no reason why a
court constituted as the Court of Appeals
Of the District of Columbia cannot be given
Jurisdiction to determine the case by this
DO you hold that after the bar Of the
any legislation can revive the action?"
asked Mr.. Cobb.
There might be consent on the part Of
the defendant TO waive that objection" an
company would consent to such a plan
to get adjudication, but he does
not want arbitration.
One objection to the plan OF the Commits
sioners is that they insist upon trying the
case on a new record, and the company
could not produce a new record. Many Of
the persons who contributed to the record
are dead.
In answer to questions by the committee
Mr.. Wilson explained that the pavements
which were laid by the board of public
works, and to which this claim applies
never did the company any material bene-
fit The pavements were not suitable for
the purposes.
No Action.
In concluding. Mr.. Wilson said that the
is willing to go more than half
way to meet any proposition from the COM
mittee to settle the question. but the COM
pany begs the committee not to allow that
fog bank. that mysterious cloud of an al
legged claim, to obscure efforts which the
is making to perform an improve
ment of services which is to be a public
benefit At the conclusion of the hearing
the committee went into executive session
to take final action upon the bill The hour
for adjournment arrived, however, before
a decision was reached. and the matter will
be taken up again next Tuesday.