Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-09
SOME RAILROAD MATTERS
The Falls Church and Mount Vernon
Electric Companies
Trouble in Getting an Entrance Into
the City Over the Pennsyl-
vania Tracks.

al tors of the Falls Church Electric Railway
Company to secure a hearing before Con-
gress OH a bill introduced year ago last
autumn by Mr.. Hunton granting this COM
pany right of way into the District OF
Columbia. The bill was allowed to slumber
at the last session because of the willing
hess of the Washington and Mount Vernon
Company to allow the Falls Church road
to enter the city on its tracks. At hear
ing before. the Senate District committee
representatives of the Washington and
Mount Vernon road said that the company
was perfectly agreeable to such an ar
rangement, and provision was according
ly inserted in the bill granting right Of
way to the Mount Vernon road. stipulating
that the Falls Church road should have
this privilege. Under the circumstances.
therefore, the Falls Church Company was
willing to allow it's bill to remain on the
calendar of the Senate. But 1t Is under
stcc Information is reaching them to In
duce them to believe that action will have
Independent rights If they are to have
terminal facilities in Washington.
The Mount Vernon Road.
The bill granting the right of way into
the city to the Mount Vernon road pro-
vided for a ferry around the flats, with
landing at point near the Washington
end of the Long bridge. The right to ac-
quire 400 feet of ground at this point Is
also granted. 1t was definitely stated, how
toned that the company did not expect
to be Obliged to use this ferry, as negotia-
TONS were about concluded with the Penn
sylvania Railroad Company to allow the
Mount Vernon road the use of the Long
bridge.
Tie understanding was that the steam
road people were anxious to get rid of tho
local traffic between here and Alexandria
than source CT profit. 1t is anticipated
that the electric road, running cars at
nearly as great speed as the steam road
under much quicker Roadway, would abb
sorb most of this annoying traffic" The
electric road was, of course, quite wiling
to accommodate this sort of traffic and was
only too eager for the arrangement.
Why Work is Not Commenced.
The road has net yet begun operations on
this side of the bridge fer the construction
of the underground electric system which
is contemplated would be the motive power
of the road. 1t has been stated from time
to time that che delay was caused by a
desire on the part OF the company to profit
by the example of the metropolitan road
in choice of an underground SYSTEM
This explanation has hardly been salts
fattory 10 the District committees or to the
Falls Church people, who are ready at any
moment to begin construction on the Fir-
ginia side il they can get a sure outlet here
1t is now broadly suggested, and not yet
denied. that the real reason of the delay in
the construction has been the failure of the
negotiations between the Mount Vernon
road and the Pennsylvania Railroad Com
pany. Since the agreement was understood
to have been entered into between these
last winter new conditions
have arisen to make the arrangement less
allurng to the Pennsylvania folks than
formerly. The failure of the racing fra
farnitv m tracks this side of the
Potomac drove them, 1t is we'll known, to
establish themselves at two points upon
the Virginia shore, st. Asaphs Junction
and Alexander Island
The racing at these tracks. while 1t has
not been perhaps of the highest order of
sport, has nevertheless drawn daily great
crowds from this city, and the passing and
T, passing of these people, even at low
rate of fare has contributed largely to the
1evenue of the railroad. The Pennsylvania
road. it is now stated, Is reluctant to sur
render this lucrative traffic to a competi-
tor. which, with quicker service, would
unqueStiOnably soon secure monopoly.
The Falls Church People Anxious.
This may not be the reason why the Mt
Vernon road extension into Washington
and from Alexar dria to Arlington has not
yet been begun. but 1t Is a rather interest
ing commentary on the situation neverthe-
less. The fact remains that the first steps
of this construction have yet to be taken
The officers OF the company have acted
very mysteriously in giving out Informal
tiCn, and there is possibly ground for the
fear of the Falls Church company that an
Independent loop into Washington may be
eventually required. Hence their renewed
activity in advocating Senate bill GS9, to
authorize the Falls Church and Potomac
Railroad Company of Virginia to extend
it's line into the District.
This bill grants right of way through
the Arlington estate, outside of the ceme-
terry. by a route to be approved by the Sec
rotary of War, to point on Little river;
thence across the marshes to near the
south end of Analostan Island. to the shore
line of the proposed new west bank Of the
Potomac; thence by a suitable steam ferry
across the river to the foot of c street ex-
tended to the river; thence along the center
line of G. street to the center line of New
York avenue continuing that line across
the reservation formerly occupied by the
naval observatory. to 10Th street; thence
along r street north both the north
and south sides of Rawlins Square,
to 18th street west at the in
tersection of New York avenue;
thence along New York avenue to 18th
street; thence north on 18th to H street, as
it's terminal point. This bill. which was in
troduced on August %. 1893, has received
the approval of the District Commissioners
and is now in the hands Of the subcom-
mittee of the Senate District committee Of
which Senator Faulkner is chairman.
CHARGED WITH MURDER.