Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-31
TRACTION COMPANY ROUTE.
Mr.. Bates Says the Roads Petitions
Are Fraudulent.

Mr. N. L. Bates has entered q vigorous
protest to the Commissioners against the
cbartering of the Washington Traction
railroad. He states that the memorial SUBJ
mitted by the promoters of the railroad is
misleading and fraudulent More than
forty pieces of property on 18th street, he
says. between 1 street and Florida avenue
have been claimed under oath, when the
owners thereof have signed cards opposing
the road.
Continuing, he says: ct submit letters
from Rear Admiral R. w. Shufeldt, US. N.
owner of lot 20. square 162, fronting 100
feet on 18th street; Capt. V. McNally Z. S.
A, owner Of lots IL and II. square l54. and
lot %, square 49, and fronting 100 feet
on 18th street, and Lieut.. l.. l.. Reamey,
Z. s. N. owner Of lot !. square 116. to
show the truth of these charges. Other
letters of the same character are at the
service Of the Commissioners to show that
the memorial is equally unreliable. From
one end of 18th street to the other it is
padded with the names of tenants who
have no interest in property, the owners
OF which have vigorously protested against
the road
Further on Mr.. Bates denies the need Of a
road on 18th street, and says the colored
church at the corner of P and 18th streets
would naturally reflect any desire for in.
creased facilities in this neighborhood and
the protest signed by the pastor is good EVIL
dence that no such need exists. Beyond the
boundary he claims the region is scarcely al
all improved. There is property, but no
population, and all the needs of a pros
pective increase can be easily supplied by
extensions from existing lines.
In regard to the trunk line and clearing
house arrangements in the bill. he says they
will be found to contain no obligation Ia
perform anything and no penalty for non
performance of anything.
MIR. DuncnnsOn Objects.
Mr. c. c. Duncanson also writes to the
Commissioners today concerning the pro-
posed railway down 18th street. He en-
tiers more particularly upon the suburban
branch Of the matter. He says that the
inhabitants of Brightwood and Tenleytown
already have the means of direct communi-
cation with the city.
The strongest appeal, he thinks, seems to
be from Mt. Pleasant, but in his connec-
ton he figures that majority, if not all
of the Inhabitants of Mt. Pleasant, by less
than five minutes walk can come down
town to the heart of the city, in fact to the
Navy Yard, on one fare After speaking of
the railroad connections already in exist
ence, Mr.. Duncanson says: Now, as
Meridian Hill and Mt Pleasant subdivisions
do not correspond with the plans of the
Commissioners for extensions Of streets, a
road laid out on the line proposed njght
defeat said plans of extension. In the sub
urDS the 14th street line and Rock Creek
line, the metropolitan line and the herdic
line can carry all passengers desiring to
ride. No one at L street between 18th
street and Connecticut avenue has over
one square to walk to take conveyance by
cars or herdc to the Navy Yard, to 9th
street or 18th street east by paving Oh. e
fare, and that through the heart Of the city
and most densely populated"