The evening times., 1896-05-13
THEY WANT ELECTRICITY
lexington Citizens Have No Faith
in Compressed-Air Motors.
IN AN EXPERIMENTAL STAGE
Cars Are Not Yet Being Propelled by
This Alleged POwer-HOuse Asked
to Hold Night Session and Dis
pose of the lexington and Belt Line
Railway Bill.

The failure of the House toreach a vote
last Monday on the lexington and Belt
Line Railway bill has called forth the fol-
lowing communication from Mr.. T. I. Kane,
representative of the railway committee OF
the North Capitol and lexington Citizens
Association, to Hon. j. W. Babcock, chair
man of the House District Committee:
The failure to reach u vote i'll the House
yesterday on the lexington and Belt Line
Railway bill has caused much disappoint-
ment and anxiety among a large number
of citizens of this city deeply interested in
this measure. As L understand the situa-
ton, the bill will not again come up in its
regular order before next Dist riCt day,
the 25th instant, which will be so close
To the probable date OF adjournment as to
render It's passage during the present session
exceedingly doubtful, especially If the dis
Cussion is provoked which was manifested
yesterday by the motions made by several
members.
As the representative of the railway
committee of the North Capitol and Eek
ington Citizens Association l would there
fore earnestly suggest the advisablity and
proprlety of holding night session for the
consideration and passage OF this bill. lis
Importance to the people OF Washington
certainly warrants such action, and l
urgently and respectfully request it.
In this connection allow me also to
urge that when the Senate and House con
ferccs meet 10 reconcile the differences of
the two houses on this bill that
the House amendment to the Senate bill
be insisted upon. requiring the adoption
OF the underground electric system within
eighteen months from the date OF approval
of the act, if the Cumpressed-air motors
should not prove satisfactory after a trial
OF three months.
NO FAITH IN AIR MOTORS
Eighteen months is the utmost limit
of time that should be allowed for all pur-
poses of experiment and actual equipment,
and within that period these companies
should be required TO have in actual
operation over all their lines within the
city limits an approved modern system
si rapid transit.
1T Is not believed that the representa-
ives of the lexington Company privately
ente rtain the confidence in the success OF
The air motor system which they publicly
pretend To have This belief is warranted
by the fact that while expressing them
selves to members OF the Senate committee
as being entirely satisfied with the pro-
visions OF the bill as it passed the Senate,
requiring the adoption Of the underground
electric system within two years. IN the
event of the air motors proving unsatisfac-
tory after Il trial of three months, the pro
,est 10 members OF the House committee
that the incorporation OF this provision III
the bill virtually means confiscation Of
their property.
This action ON their part is not only
"A convincing proof OF a want OF confidence
III the air-mOtur system. but is also an
evidence of bad faith. II the compressed
air system possesses the merit that its adj
vocateS claim for il ample authority is
given under this bill to practically sub
stantiate this claim and TO adopt that
system on all the lines of these companies
after demonstrating its success by an ac-
tual test.
Therefore. If the representatives Of
the lexington Company sincerely enter
tain the confidence in the air-fnotor sys-
TEN that they publicly pretend to have
they cannot consistently object to the un-
derground electric system, as the sue
cess of the compressed-air motors would
render that provision imperative.
MIND AND WATER MINGLED.