The evening times., 1895-11-08

The right of the Western Union Com
pany to maintain its own lines and control
Its own property was argued to-day be-
fore the Commissioners upon the applica-
ton of the company To build q short line
through from Seventh To Fourteenth street.
The Western Union Company, at the
request of the Columbia Heights Citizens
Association, proposed to establish a branch
office at the corner of Fourteenth and Bin
Dey streets northwest, for the accoBlmo-
dation of the community, and as a measure
of economy in the interest of the public.
Theplacing OF an office in Mount P leasant
will reduce the cost TO the company Of de-
livering messages, and confirms the policy
OF free delivery, for which the citizens have
long conteDded.
Iu order to establis the office It became
necessary to make connection from Sew
enth street to Fourteenth street, and the
company sought TO do SO by the most avail
able aud direct route, which was by the
way OF Princeton street.
BEFORE THE COMMISSIONERS.
Application was made for a PERMIT, and,
as staled in The Times OF yesterday, the
Commissioners objected, and suggested
another route.
The company was represented today
before the board by General Aanager Al.
MeTean, who made the argument outlined
in The Times. He said the route suggested
was not only impracticablc, but that the
company would not string It's wires ON
overhead trolley poles.
1t is dangerous and very unsatisfactory.
Besides, he said, under the law and by
reason OF decision OF the supreme court
OF the District rendered in 1884, in Hewitt
ct al. VS.. the Western Union Telegraph
Company, the company had the right to
maintain its own lines and have It's own
property under its control.
To adopt the suggested route would In.
cur the expense OF extra work and more
wire than was Necessary, the Princeton
street route being one-haif mile in length,
while the otner would be about three times
that length.
MIR. THOMAS SENT FOR.
Attorney Thomas was sent for, and Mr..
Marean's side OF the case was laid forDi-
ally before tim. He was familiar with
all the points raised, and while ne did not
definitely express hiUIselr, IL was manifest
that he regarded the conpaDy's case a
strong one.
The fact was cited by Mr.. Ma rean that
the Government reserved compensating
advantages for the privileges conferred
upon the company, exercising the right 10
fix the tolls at which Government messages
may be sent, and demanding that they shall
have precedence over all others.
He did not, he said. demand anything,
but, as matter OF fact. under the de-
cisioD rendered by the CHEF justice of the
supreme court above referred to, the COM
pany has the right TO proceed without the
previous consent OF the District authori-
ties, aud. turning TO the decision, lie read
as much in plain language.
He said, however, that lie asked the privi-
lege to erect the poles beyond the city
limits, recognizing that for any point
within the city the Commissioners could
not even grant such permit, On account
OF the enactment Of 1888.
Mr.. Marean said he hoped there would
be a decision reached, So that hereafter
there would be NO question or delay in
obtaining a permit guaranteed under the
law.
The whole matter was referred to the
attorney for his opinion.
IN BEHALF OF DRAYMEN.
Attorney W. W. Douglas, as The repre-
sentative of a number OF dra aymen in the
vicinity of Tenleytown, appeared before
the Commissioners this morning with a
charge against the Georgetown and Teniey-
town Railroad Company.
II is claimed that the company's char.
Ter gives it the right to do passenger
traffic only, but that In violation of law
il is engaged in freight traffic.
The specific allegation is that the COM
pany is hauling the sand required in the
construction of the Fort Reno reservoir.
About $4,000 square yards of sand were
originally required, and nearly $4,000
square yards of IL yet remain.
As soon as the company began delivering
the sand Contractor Eslin discharged the
carts and threw about twenty-five men
out of employment.
Being contrary to its charter. and withal
danger and menace to public safety, the
protest was flied, with a request that the
Commissioners order it discontinued.
1t will receive consideration.