The morning times., 1895-08-29

The Baltimore and PotomacR ailroadCom-
pany ard 4he Metropolitan Street Railway,
respectively. Were represented yesterday
by a number OF officials in a conference
with the Commissioners over a PROPOSE
lion. made several days ago by President
Philips. Of tie latter company, TO require
the Baltimore and Z Potomac trains TO come TO
a fun stop before crossing the Metropolitan
tracks al the IuEcuon OF Four and-a-half
street and Virginia avenue southwest
The proposition made by Mr.. Phillips
was embodied in a communication left with
The Commissioners on the occasion OF his
previous call, as stated in The Times at
the time.
In the conference held yesterday Presi-
dent Phillips reiterated the statement con-
tanned in his letter, and gave additional
reasons why, in his Judgment, the order
asked for was necessary.
WHERE DANGER LIES.
The Metropolitan cars are always stopped
before crossing. he said, and the conductors
go forward and look out for approaching
trains, but the chief danger ie that when
the electric cars get 10 the point where
the tracks lntersect with those OF the other
road ne accident may check their prog
ress and permit heavy train, runn.- a
at the rate OF twelve miles an hour, 10
collide with them He demonstrated how
such an accident might occur. He in
sisted that in calling attention to the mat
ter his company was simply discharging
a duty 10 tie public. and the question for
the Commissioners 10 decide was as 10
whether the situation presented an aspect
OF danger serious enough 10 call for action
Attorney Enogh Totten, as spokesman
for the Baltimore and Potomac Company,
iEsiSgedthat the request for the issuance OF
such an order was wholly absurd and one
that would be in the interest OF the few
against the many. It presented what he
termed an 'apprehended contingency,' -
and he added thatif the motive power intro
duCed is not capable oc doing the work, then
be ought TO take ii out.
ELEVATED TRACKS SUGGESTED.
Attorney Nathaniel Wilson made an
argument for the position taken by the
Metropolitan, and several coIloquies oc-
Cured between him and and Mr.. Tot
ten. Mr. Wilson said the steam rail
ways had long been OF the opinion that
they owned the streets and avenues of the
city. but. strong as il may seem, Congress
has the right TO lay its hand upon these roads
and decide in She interests OF the people
III is very easy" said Mr.. Wilson, ''fol
the steam railroads TO elevate their tracks
1 as Is done IN Philadelphia, the home 0.
i TD....--.---1--ra,,F1 l..
Mr.. Tutienasked himirhe wantedaregula
! tionrequiring that TO bedune. Mr.. WilsOnsaiC
/ he was only requesting the Commissioners
! 20 dowhat tney had a right To do.
IF the Commissioners had the authurityto
/ Observation-Disclosures Mr.. .Wilsonretnrted, .
would ask it Of them, with fun confidenc-
! that they would Go it. II would meet The
/ approval OF every citizen OF Washington.
The Commissioners rendered no decision
I but VIII communicate with the companies
/ later
Those present Were Messrs. Totten, cas-
/ sell. Barnard, and McKeever, for the Bal
timore and Potomac road, and Messrs
Phillips and Wilson and other officials o
the Metropolitan Company.
The garbage question did not Great
much OF a stir at the Commis ssioners
office yesterday, the resumption OF it
consideration being set for to-day at II
o'clock.