Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-27
The Alleged Cause Of the Fight on
the Suburban Railway Company.
SENATOR DANIEL STATES His POSITION
An Interview With the President
of the Columbia Company.
DENYING THE TROLLEY STORY

The allegations and limitations made by
Senators Hill and Daniel at last nights
session Of the Senate to the effect that a
syndicate or combination had been formed
to secure the control of the street railroad
privileges in the District, to the exclusion
of other companies. attracted quite good
deal of attention among Senators today
There was just enough of half-concealed
suggestion IN what was said to indicate
that these Senators knew great deal more
about the matter than they said publicly.
What they did say was in line with the be-
lief of those who assert that the Philadel-
phia trolley syndicate has by no means
abandoned the fight for trolley franchises
within the District, but has been working,
and is still working quietly, paving the way
for future legislation in their interest
What Senator Daniel Says.
Senator Daniel said today to a Star re-
porter that he had no other knowledge Of
any combination or syndicate or organized
opposition to the bill which he was advocat-
ing, the District of Columbia Suburban
bill, than what was told him by certain
people. which he told the Senate last night.
He had therefore made public all the in
formation at his command. He said he had
heard the rumors of combinations for some
time. but could not say whether or not
there was any foundation to them. The
projectors of the Columbia Suburban road,
he added, assure him that they are anxious
to go ahead with the construction, II this
extension Of the charter Is granted. He
hopes that he may still obtain day In
court for his bill. but this will depend en-
tirely upon the opportunity and time of
the Senate. Representatives Of the
local corporations that are known to be
affiliated with the Philadelphia syndicate
have been constantly on duty in the lob
bies of the Capitol for some time past.
There Is a great deal of buttonholing and
engineering going on, and 1t may be that
the debate Of last evening Is. in meas
ure, the result OF this unusual enterprise
and display Of interest.
Mr.. HIPS Interest.
Mr.. Hilrs connection with the suburban
railway bill in question is said to be mere
ly this: An Albany friend became interest
ed In the corporation and invested his
money in the enterprise; he recently died.
and his widow is practically without means
except that which was thus invested. Mr..
Hill has been appealed to. 1t is said. in
her behalf, and has been assured by the
friends of the measure that 1t is the OBJ
ject of an antagonisdc combination, formed
by the existing roads on behalf of the
trolley syndicate.
The Coinmbin's President Talks.
Mr.. r. L. Baker, the president of the
Columbia Railway Company, said today to
a Star reporter that the strenuous opposi-
ticn to the proposed construction Of the
suburban road on the part of the Columbia
road. and.that on the part Of the Ecking-
ton road, as he believed, has nothing
whatever to do with any intended use Of
the overhead trolley. He regarded 1.-The
trolley scheme as intended to divert atten-
ton from the real evils that are threat
ened by the promoters of the suburban
THE Columbia road does not oppose the
construction of the suburban road in the
suburbs" said Mr.. Baker, but does op-
pose its extension into the city on G street
or on e street parallel to the line of the
Columbia road on H street. because the
directors and stockholders, all Of whom are
residents of this city. believe that such ex-
tension would destroy the value Of the half
million dollars of stock owned by them
and the half million dollars of bonds that
have just been issued to equip the road
with cable power, and also because the
Columbia seeks, and has long sought to
extend its own line to Bladensburg and
also to Benning. and to give greater ia
cilities for transportation to suburban resi-
dents than the suburban road can possibl
give and all for a single fare"
Lines Mt Present Running.
Pointing to railroad map on the wall
Mr.. Baker called the reporters attention
to the fact that at the present time there
are running west of 18th street east and
within a space of less than a half-mile in
width, between East Capitol street on the
south and H street on the north, three
parallel railroad lines, the Columbia, the
lexington and the Metropolitan. and also
tended, furnish the residents of East
Washington with all the transportation IA
cilities they require.
1.-THE Columbia" Mr.. Baker continued, 'fs
now earning but miserable dividend on
its stock about six per cent? and the inter-
est on its bonds will be a heavy burden,
but one that can be borne by the increased
travel expected on the cable cars. which
will be superior to any cars heretofore
brought to this city; but 1t is certain that
IL new line Is constructed within this
territory the receipts of the company would
he brought below the paying point.
There Is no necessity for this practical
conflscation Of the property of citizens of
this District for the benefit Of a suburban
company, whether the people interested
are residents of the District or Of New
York, because the Columbia itself asks
legislation which will authorize and re-
quire it to extend and complete its line to
the District Ane near Bladensburg within
one year. and to convey passengers over its
whole line. also over the lines Of the
Metropolitan road. for one fare.
The Proposed Transfer Plan.
But that Is not ALL" continued Mr..
Baker. 1.-The Columbia the lexington and
the Metropolitan proposed to the Senate
committee in writing to withdraw all OBJ
lection to the construction Of the suburban
along the Bladensburg road and along 18th
street east to East Capitol street, provided
the road was not permitted to come further
west than 18th. street east, ard also to
make free transfers at such fntersecting
point on 18th street, or to charge cents
for a transfer and to give the suburban
road 2 cents and the city road 1 cent
This plan would enable all the suburban
residents along the Bladensburg and Benz
ming roads to reach any part of the civ NV
either one Of the three roads have named
for one fare or for Scent transfer
For some reason these propositions are.
not acceptable to the suburban road. For
some reason. unexplained, they want all
their passengers to be taken direct down
to It'll street near the Bank Of Washing
ton and nowhere else. To accomplish this
they are willing to destroy the value
of the property Of the existing roads and
to make 1t improbable for this company to
construct its intended road to Benning."
GOES UP HIGHER.