Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-10
He Has No Desire to Continue the
Trolley in Use.
THE BELT Line TO Be RESTORED
Determination as to Motor Power
to Be Soon Made.
WILL NOTwAIT FOR CONGRESS

Mr.. David NJ. Newbold, the president Of
the proposed Washington and Baltimore
electric road, which fas recently obtained
control of the Eckington and Belt Line
railways of this city, was in Washington
today and gave some interesting informa-
tion concerning this great project to a
Star reporter. Mr. Newbold says that
work upon the Washington and Baltimore
railway will soon begin at both ends of the
line simultaneously, arrangements to this
end having already been perfected. The
work at the Washir gton end of the line
will, Mr.. Newbold says, be performed by
Washington ~orkmen, and employment will
thus be furnished to very many men at an
extremely dull season when work is much
needed.
Mr.. Newbold corrected the impression
which has prevailed in some quarters that
Baltimore was to supply the laborers for
work on all parts Of the line. He says that
both in this and in other respects the pro-
ject of a connecting electric railway is one
in which Washington is as thoroughly and
directly interested as Baltimore, and that
he wishes It to be viewed. and 1t is properly
viewed, as a Baltimore-Washington under
taking, benefitting both cities equally.
The lexington Line.
Mr.. Newbold states that within the last
two months his road has acquired a con-
trolling interest in the lexington and Belt
line roads. which will be used to give the
Observation-Disclosures line entrance into
this city. as well as for the purposes of
local transit. The managers of the Wash
ington-Baltimore lne have been so alb
sorbed in perfecting the arrangements for
the construction of the main line that they
have not, up to this time, had opportunity
to carefully consider the questions arising
in respect to the future conduct and man.
agement of the lines owned within the city
of Washington; but as the construction Of
ments have been very recently perfected
and the questions concerning the Eckins-
ton and Belt lines will be taken up very
soon, probably within the next Two weeks.
and disposed Of Mr.: Newboid says that
already, as result of brief inspection Of
the local conditions, it has been decided TO
restore the Belt line to its original status
as a belt line proper. and that as soon as
possible this improvement will be effected.
To Respect Anti-Trolley Sentiment.
In regard to the lexington road, Mr..
| Newbold says that his company recognizes
| the strong public sentiment, both in the
| community and in Congress, against the
| Sc of the trolley within the city limits,
and that it has not the slightest intention
| Of endeavoring to foist this Objectionable
| system upon the people of Washington;
| that the snort time tnat MS company mas
| owned these local lines, and the extent to
| which the management has been occupied
| in dealing with questions concerning the
| construction of the Washngton-Ba ltimOre
| line have prevented speedier disposition by
| the company of the contr overted questions
| concerning the lexington trolley poles.
| That very soon the directors will hold a
meeting and will provide a prompt solu-
| ton Of all the questions That as far as
| he Is concerned, he favors the speedy in
| stallment of modern, rapid-transit sys-
| tenn over both the lexington and Belt
| lines, a system which shall, of course, eX-
| clude the trolley, and that he is confident
| that the directors of the road will sustain
/ him in the position which he takes
Future ExtensiOn.
When legal rapid transit and an improved
and effective service are furnished by the
lexington and Belt lines it is the expec
tation of Mr.. Newbold that application
will be made for extensions of the join
| system to other parts of Washington, ant
he hopes for the support of local public
sentiment In these improvements of tht
| city's street railway service. Wheneve,
| the Washington and Baltimore line decide:
| upon the form Of modern mechanical mo
| tive power to be employed upon the Ecking
ton and Belt lines, the work upoa this i'm
! provement can be speedily begun. 1t viii
not be necessary, Mr.. Newbold says, t.
wait for the assembling of Congress t.
give authority to issue bonds in order t
provide means foc making these changes.