Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-12

There was good r ews for Washingtonians
in the interview with President David M.
NewboId of the Washington and Baltimore
and lexington and Belt Line railways,
printed exclusively in Saturdays Star. The
projected and soon to be constructed Wash
ington and Baltimore road has engaged in
no controversies with the people of the
national capital and its management gives
evidence of strong and wise desire 20
secure the favor and support of local pub
lie sentiment instead of its antasonism.
The lexington and Belt lines, on the other
hand have caused remarkably discom-
forting series of disturbances, from which
neither the stockholders nor the patrons
of the roads have received any benefit. 1t
is therefore pleasant to learn that the three
roads are to be openly consolidated and
operated as ore. under a management
which pledges itself to correct the evils of
which Washington has complained. Per-
haps the most important of the conclusions
announced by Mr. Newbold was that which
dealt with the overhead-trolley nuisance.
Mr.. Newbod stated very emphatically that
the corporation which has recently ac-
quired the lexington and Belt properties
recognizes the powerful public sentiment
In Washington and in Congress adverse to
the overhead trolley, and that the company
proposes to install speedily all its lines
within this city a modern motor which will
be entirely satisfactory to even the most
critical of the many who insist that Wash
ington shall be model city. Another ma
terial reform to which Mr.. Newbold has
voluntarily pledged himself is the restora-
ton to its original status a belt line Of
the road that is now a belt line only In
name; this is undoubtedly due to the lesson
taught by comparison of the receipts
during the present summer and summers
past; not even free transfers have sufficed
to induce the return of hundreds Of the
men. women and children who habituaiiy
rode on the Belt when it was a belt indeed,
but who when 1t was broken spent their
money on other roads. AS yet MIR. New
bold speaks without formal authority from
the board of directors but. as was stated
in the interview, he is confident that the
directors will sustain the views he holds
and will support him in his endeavor to
improve the business of the roads and to
smooth down the ruffled feelings of the
thousands of people whose affections have
been alienated by miserable management.
1t is improbable that the president of the
road would declare himself so positively
unless he knew in advance that he voiced
the sentiment of the directors. He would
hardly make wild and unfounded guess
at the action of a body which is, he de-
clares, so soon to meet.
Fortunately, both for the company and the
public, 1t will not be necessary to await
congressional action as to the proposed
betterments; the parent company has funds
enough and to spare to do all that is likely
to be required of 1t and 1t has authority
sufficient upon which to proceed with the
he WI he
will, 1t is declared, see Mr.. Newbolds as
surances take formal practical shape. 1t is
not at all likely that the pleasing prospects
set forth by Mr.. Newbold will fail to ma
terialize, for without those changes the
company will be continually in the hottest
kind of hot water. Washington will not
submit in the matter of the overhead troll
ley; 1t will fight so long as a single one of
the obstructive poles and wires remains on
airy of the streets. A liberal management
of the combined roads will be as profitable
for the company 1t will be gratifying
to those from whom the company must de-
rive whatever of financial advantage is
obtanable. Rapid transit by underground
motor will make the Belt road-operated
a belt-one of the best paying street-rail-
road properties in the District, while atten-
ton to the suburban business along the
to the corporation and to those VINO are in
terested in suburban growth in that vicin-
fly. This forward movement of the con-
solidated roads is especially pleasing to
The Star. From the day VIXEN the overhead
trolley first ma terialized into an ugly threat,
The Star has been opposed to the granting
of trolley privileges within the city limits,
and now that the last and most obstinate
local advocate of the trolley has apparently
surrendered, The Star deems Il proper to
make mention of the pride which it justly
feels in victory to the contamination of
which it has undoubtedly contributed more
than any other factor. For the exclusive
publication of the important news chapter
on this topic on Saturday. The Star has no
apologies to offer. The publication of news
is The Stars business; the frequently ex-
elusive publication of news has become
habit.
Some of Cbicagos newspapers are ex-
Satisfaction from