Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-20
A RAILW AY H AIRING
What the Alexandria and Mt Vernon
Company Wants.
Proposed Loop in the City and n
Transfer Barge to Cross
the River.

The Washington. Alexandria and Mt
Vernon Electric Railway Company had a
hearing before the subcommittee of the
House District committee this morning in
behalf of its proposition to extend its line
into this city. This company proposes to
lay its tracks along Z street from the
9th street depot westward to 2lst street to
the river connecting with a barge to trans
port the cars across the river; thence across
the Arlington reservation to Alexandria
and to Mt Vernon. 1t is proposed to build
branch line from B street up 14th to the
south side of Pennsylvania avenue and
down 18th to b street. 1t is also proposed
to extend the tracks down 14th street to
the Long bridge where a station will be
built to accommodate passengers alighting
from trains, who may desire to go imme
diately up town. The company will use the
overhead trolley ouside of the city. but is
willing to use such motive power within
the city as the Commissioners or Congress
may see fit to provide.
The Proposed Route Explained.
Mr. A. ID. Anderson, general counsel and
Col. F. A. Reed, vice president of the COM
pany, appeared before the subcommittee
Mr.. Anderson explained the proposed route
of the road, and said that the object of this
company is not TO conduct a regular street
railway DuSlHeSS Wltnln tne CITY, Dut II
only wishes to come into the city to give
easy and quick connection with Mt. Ver-
non, Arlington and Alexandria.
Mr.. Heard remarked that he could see no
objection to the route. He was opposed.
however. to authorizing any more horse
power railroads in this city. Mr. Reed re-
piled that the company does not intend to
use horses. 1t is proposed to use some
kind of mechanical power, other than steam,
of course, which may be acceptable to
Congress and the Commissioners
Mr. Rusk asked what provision is made
to pay the city for the charter thus given.
Mr. Anderson said the bill provides that 4
per cent of the gross earnings within the
city shall be paid to the city. This provis-
ion has been fixed in the bill by the Com
misSloners, who have decided upon a gen.
eral form for street railway bills
The Transfer Barge.
Mr.. Reed explained the plans of the COM
pany to the transfer across the river.
A frst-class steam barge will be built to
carry the cars. No ferry business will be
done. and if any persons desire to cross
en- that barge they must get into the cars
and pay fare The company desires an
amendment 10 the bill extending the time
for making annual reports to February ID
of each year. The company desires also
a privilege of 100 feet front on the river
for the purpose of a transfer slip. Mr.
Heard said the War Department will have
use of the river front.
Mr.. Heard asked particularly about the
interests of the Washington and George
town Railroad Company in the proposed
loop around the 14th street power house.
and whether the latter company would
object. Mr.. Anderson replied that he thinks
the company will not object. Mr.. Heard
asked why it would be necessary to en-
circle the power house at all, to which
Mr.. Anderson replied that the Engineer
Commissioner objects to cars standing on
l4th street and blockading traffic. Mr.
Heard said the Washington and George
town company is in possession there and
should not be interfered with unless the
public interests require it, He suggested
talking with the Washington and George
town company about it.
After some further discussion 1t was de-
cided that II might ba feasible to use a
the terminal station and not make the
proposed loop.
A Proposition Sat Down Upon.
Mr.. Reed asked that the proposition re-
quiring the road to be commenced within
one year end completed within two years
be changed so that the road be commenced
within two years and completed one year
thereafter.
The committee sat down on this PROPOSE
ton Immediately. Mr.. Heard said he would
not agree to any such proposition as that,
and he felt sure Congress would not farm
out charter for two years in this way.
The company then abandoned the request
Mr.. Anderson said there is no desire to un-
necessarily delay building the road
The committee will act upon the bill to-
morrow.