Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-23
An Important Meeting in Regard to
It Held Yesterday.
WORK TO Be COMMENCED At ONCE.
Already a Beginning Made at Bal
timore and Laurel.
\ T r LEY B 100 N

In the Boulevard railroad scheme which
proposes the building Of an electric railroad
between Baltimore and this city. held a con-
ference yesterday at the headquarters OF
the company. which is in the McGill build
Ing. Messrs. William L. Elkins, p. A. b.
Widener and Thomas Dolan Of Philadel-
phia and I. Edward Hamilton and David
NJ. Newbold Of Baltimore were the repre-
sentatives present. 1t is understood that
the plans of the syndicate were discussed
as to a number of the details. and 1t Is stated
that final arrangements were made for a
contract for the work of opening and grad
ing the line of the proposed road from this
city to Hyattsville.
As is well known. the controlling interest
in the Boulevard railway scheme also holds
the control by purchase Of the Belt and the
lexington railroad properties In this city
and the Traction Company OF Baltimore.
The control OF these city railroad lines as
sures an entrance into the central part Of
the cities named. In addition to securing
the two roads mentor ed in this city, the
charter right was secured from the WASH
ington and Maryland road, q company
which was authorized by Congress to build
street railway from the bounds Of the
city out Rhode Island avenue extended. 1t
Is cor templated In selecting the route Of
the proposed Boulevard railroad to follow
along Rhode Island avenue extended, be-
ginning at 4th street east, Just south of the
Chase subdivision. and then going north a
short distance. when the line of the Brent
wood road becomes practically that Of
Rhode Island avenue extended.
Where 1t Will Start.
The new road, 1t Is understood, will start
from 4th street east extended at the point
above named and will be built along q
route practically following the line Of the
Brentwood road to the District line and
thence the remaining distance to Hyatts-
vile. AS 1t will be noticed, the new road
will continue along the west side of the
Washington branch of the b. and o. road,
and 1t is stated that the further route Of
the road toward Baltimore will be along
ing the latter road below Muirkirk. From
thence to Baltimore in a general way the
route may be said to follow the line Of
the turnpike road.
1t will not be necessary for this COM
pany to securA an Independent entrance
into the city. for the reason as given above
that 1t now owns a cor trolling interest
in the lexington road and by forming
a juncture with this road on 4th street
east extended the cars Of the Boulevard
Company can either be run over the line
of the lexington into the city or else the
passengers can be transferred. 1t is be-
enc adopted, as the main purpose Of the
projectors of the Boulevard Company in
securing control Of railroads in this city
was to afford a direct and uninterrupted
ntrance into the heart of the city for the
through cars from Baltimore.
Work in baltimore and Laurel.
1t is stated that work has now begun on
the Baltimore end of the Boulevard road
and also at Laurel and now 1t is intended
that the work on this end of the line should
be pushed ahead. The officials Of the Boule-
ward road claim that 1t Is the intention to
have their road in operation during the
coming year. This would, Of course. be
easily accomplished, as the amount Of grad
ing along the route that was selected with
special reference to economy In construc-
ton is naturally quite limited.
A good many people are rather skeptical
that \the projectors of an enterprise con-
templating the construction of an electric
railroad between thirty and forty miles long
are really in earnest. II Is said that such q
road will not pay and that the competition
with the steam roads Will be tmpracucable.
To Boom the Trolley.
However. the fact Is undeniable that men
of sound business sense believe in the prac-
ticability Of such q scheme As a money
making enterprise. 1t IL said. that the pro-
jectors of this road, who are men accus-
toned to embark in large enterprises look
forward to q time when this proposed cleo
trio road between Baltimore and Washing
ton shall only be link In q system that will
connect the cities of Washington. Baltimore,
Philadelphia and New York, and thence to
Boston by q road operated by electricity
1t is also true that the money power which
Is behind this extensive enterprise Is per-
haps more deeply interested in the continued
use Of the overhead trolley system than any
other combination that exists in the coun-
try. They have large money interests at
stake, and it is to their advantage that this
system. which Is VIGOROUSLY the cheapest
method of street car propulsion, should gain
a foothold in this city. The effect, SO 1t is
said, Of the occupation Of the streets Of the
capital city Of the nation by the trolley wire
would be a great help in the contest which
is going on in other cities. where he people
are endeavoring to prevent the further en-
croachments Of the deadly overhead wire.