Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-15
A N AGO TIA
Efforts to Reorganize Matters With New
Management
The Strikers Ultimatum and the
Bonded Indebtedness-Cap
MISUNDERSTANDING Tonight.

Invitations have been sent to a number
of the business men and moneyed citizens
of Anacostia requesting them to attend a
meeting tonight for the purpose of dis
cussing ways and means to secure a con-
trolling interest in the AEacostia Railroad
Company in order that the operations OF
the road may be resumed at an early day.
Much good is expected to result from this
meeting, but, meanwhile. Rev. H. T.
Stevenson. pastor of the Baptist Church In
Anacostia, is trying to effect compromise
and get healed all the differences between
the Protective Street Railway Union and
the citizens on the one side and President
Griswold on the other.
At Mr.. Stevensons request President
Lawrence of the Railway Union has given
the former the ultimatum in the matter
from the members Of that body, to wit:
The unemployment of all the men in the
service of the company on the day that
the strike was begun, and the payment
Of $50 per day as wages to each one here
after. The citizens are determined not to
be satisfied with less than the demand as
promulgated by President Lawrence on the
authority OF the union, with the addition
Of 4 better schedule than has been in use
for a long time past, and for better
equipment Of cars for at least that part of
the line between Hillsdale and Anacostia
Washington.
Having obtained the unaltcrable demand
of the union, Mr. Stevenson will, 1t is un-
derstood. call upon Mr.. Griswold and ask
sum demanded, and If Mr.. Griswold will
not do this (and he has said repeatedly that
he will not. then Mr.. Stevenson WILL 1t is
expected, make canvass of the business
men of the town and ask them to subscribe
a sufficient sum to pay the striking en-
ployes the difference between what the
president of the road says the company is
able and willing to pay and $3.50. as de-
manded by the union.
But little confidence is expressed in Ana
costa in the success of Mr.. Stevenson's
creditable and self-imposed mission, as the
merchants ana citizens generally say that
they can see no relief ahead, except In a
change in the management of the railroad
company.
The Roads Debt.
The great reported cost for building the
Anacostia Railway Company's lines seems
to present the greatest barrier in the way
of an early deal, and a gentleman who is
expected to be present at tonights meet
Ing and become a subscriber to some
Of the stock of the new company If
one shall be organized told a represent
tative Of The Star that he was Informed
and mortgage debt of the road amounts
to $3l1 900, on which interest has hereto
fore been paid at the rate of per cent per
year, which required the annual expendi-
ture of $4,000. The same gentleman said
that he had 1t from the same authority that
just previous to the strike the company re-
ceived blank bonds which they had had
printed representing 100000, also to bear
per cent interest, which it was proposed
to put upon the market, but which, owing
to recent occurrences, principally the
strike, are now quietly reposing in one or
more Of the compauy's big safes at their
Office in Anacostia.
1t is understood that during the last few
days very careful examination of the
property Of the compaffy Has been made at
the instigation of some persons who are
inclined to invest money in the stock of
the road provided there is a change of
management. and these gentlemen have ar
rived at the conclusion that the various
lines can be duplicated In every particular
at an outlay of not more than $4,000, and
that this will be their soutside bid II they
make any offer at all for the road.
Strikers' Condition.
So far as the strikers are concerned mat
tiers are moving along about the same as
has been the case for now almost two
weeks. The money raised: by the managers
Of the lawn party held iatrthe home of Mr..
H. A. Ltnger Friday night last, and
amounting to about $500 after all expenses
shall have been paid. will be turned over
and DR.. George Havenner, the subcommit-
tee, to President Lawrence of the Street
Railway Union, and by Mr.. Lawrence plac-
ed in bank for pro rata division among
those for whose benefit the party was
given.