The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-08-17
THE WASHINGTON and GETTYSBURG ROAD
Col. AnderS0n'S Report Of His Progress In
Promoting the Enterprise.

Col. Alex. ID. Anderson, who is promoting
the scheme to build an electric railroad from
Washington TO Gettysburg, via SykeSville,
Westminster, Union Mills and Littlestowu
was in Westminster last Saturday and reported
TO the directors of the Westminster and Union
Mills Electric Railway Company upon his
operations up to date. His report was highly
satisfactory, and he was engaged to continue
his plans and push forward the enterprise.
In his report Col. Anderson spoke of the
| favorable reception the scheme had met with
upon the part of the general public in Wash
| ington. and of the interest manifested by
electric railroad men and capitalists, while
his plans cannot now be made public there
may be something of an encouraging character
that can be published in the next thirty days
| The enterprise is a large one that will require
considerable capital 10 carry out, and in it
will have to be enlisted men of wealth and
high business character. Some state aud
national legislation will have To be obtained
before the actual work of construction can be
begun. Before this is obtained n strong COM
pany will have TO be organized, an accurate
survey be made aud the cost aScertaiued.
Col. Anderson has progressed well toward
this and from the character of the man, with
his high standing, large acquaintance with
capitalists and well-known untiring energy.
it is safe to predict ultimate success for him.
Col. Anderson was the originator of the
Worlds Fair that was held in Chicago. He
began on it in 1884 and made public his
plans in an interview published IN the New
York Herald, in November of that year. His
plan was To have 1t held I'm Washington. aud
he organized strong committees in Washington
and Baltimore 10 aid him. Mr.. John +.
Hurst was at the head of the Baltimor. com
mitiee. and Col Anderson saws he not only
gave valuable assistance hat was one Of the
most clear headed business men he ever met.
Col. Anderson spent -four wears ia iurtherlHg
the exposition aud expended some S33, OO0,
but Chicago came along and stole it from
Washington. through some political Juggling
and schemes. He did not relinqnish interest
in the celebration. bat conceived the idea ot
n naval display in Hampton Roads and al
New York He got the matter before Con
greSS aud secured au appropriation OF about
$3.50. 600 and had his plans carried out At
the New York display be was a guest Of the
Government, by special invitation of Secretary
Of TIE Navy Herbert His work IN this matter
well illustrates the influence. tenacity Of Pnr-
pose and energy of the man. but this has
not been his only work. Col. Anderson has
had large experience with corporations A.
their attorney and been very successful ~
pushing enterprises 10 completion, and Il Is
not doubted that he will be able 90 carry To-
success the Washington aud Gettysburg Eiec-
tric Railway. II Is certain that no enterprise
projected for some years . more inviting
field for investors. Connecting. as Il viii. the
capital of the country with its most interesting
historic spot. aud being thirty seven miles
shorter. and consequently much cheaper. thau
any other route. il will I've the popular one for
tourists Il viii occupy q territory. large M
extent, that j. inadeqaaiely supplied with
railroad facilities, and local bushes, along
the line will be very considerable.
Col Anderson's plans emhnca lateral
branches that vii be- valuable feeders. aud
Westminster will have two electric roads IN
stead of oue-the direct line from Washington
"a Gettysburg. and line 10 Baitimou'. Wa
Reisterstown aud the lne nov running g. thai
point Westminster viii b. strictly "iu O..
In use a common expression. and deserves ."
be-. fnr II the plans nov uuder consideration
are carried out. aud W. hav. faith that they
will be- before the great Baltimore Centennial
Exposition begius. in Nav, 1885,. Westminster
will have the CREDIT of having started the cu-
terprise aud paid most II the preliminary
expenses. and 1he Apvug sTr vii fe-l Er'iih-
cation la having first directed Pal'lsc aiiet'inn
her. to the advantages Of having an electric
mad