Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-23
THE LEXINGTON RAILROAD
Extension Bill Reported to the Senate by
Mr.. Mcmillan.
Rapid Transit Made Compulsory, With
Penalty for Faflure-A Change
of Route.

The lexington and Belt street railway
extension bill was today reported back to
the Senate from the District committee
by Mr.. Mcmillan, but in a different form
from that in which it was first presented
by the attorneys of those companies. Sem
ator Mcmillan was far from being satisfied
with the provisions as to rapid transit and
| 1t developed that the extensions asked by
the lexington company were not wholly
satisfactory to the people living in the sec
lions affected by the propositions For in
stance, the projected line out Michigan
avenue was the sole object of the Michigan
avenue line This thor1ughrare skirts the
Soldiers Home Park on the southeast and
is a popular driveway. In the bill as re-
ported to the Senate this extension is
| omitted.
AS to the East Washington extension
from the present east and west lexington
line southwark to the navy yard, there was
a vigorous protest heard from residents
along 1th street, which the company de-
sired to use, and in consequence this was
changed to Sth street as far south as c,
where the Capital Traction Company's
tracks occupy Sth street.
Rapid Transit Provision.
The frs section of the bill, relating to
rapid transit, Is now as follows:
That within three months from the pas
sage of this act the lexington and Soldiers
Home Railway Company and the Belt
Railway Company, both Of the District of
Columbia, respectively. shall begin to equip
these portions of their respective lines
which are situated within the boundaries
OF the city Of Washington with compress
ed air motors. If, after a trial Of three
months. the said compressed air motors
SHALL in the judgment of the Commission
ers of the District Of Columbia, prove to
reSnartS Of 1f,rx
motive power for the speedy and conven-
lent propulsion of street cars then the said
Commissioners are hereby authorized and
directed to issue to the said railway COM
panies. respectively, permits to equip their
lines within the city of Washington with
such compressed air motors; and within
SIX months from the passage of this act
the SAID railway companies shall cease to
use horse power on any and all of their
respective lines. In the event that the said
compressed air motors shall not be approy-
ed as herein provided for, then within two
years from the Passage of this act the said
companies, respectively, shall construct
and put into full operation on all their
lines In the city of Washington the under
GROUND electric system. No extension Of
any or the lines in this act provided for
shall be operated by horse power
Neglect or failure to comply with the
provisions of this section shall subject the
e9Ipotat ion neglecting or failing to pen
any OF $50 for each and every day during
winch such failure or neglect continues
said penalty to be recovered by the Com,
nlssloners OF the District of Columbia in
any court of competent jurisdiction
The Extension Recommended.
The second section provides that ;he
Lexington road is authorized to make a
new track along the following route: Be
ginning at the junction Of Sth and d
streets northeast, thence south along Sth
street to c street south, thence west on C
street to 9TH street east, thence south on
Ith street to NJ street south, thence east On
NJ street TO Georgia avenue, thence north
east TO 9th street east
rms is the only extension granted to the
lexington road. The Belt line is granted
the same extensions as those authorized in
the former bill, with the exception that it
Is provided that the extension along Water
street from the present southern terminus
shaE be by an extension of the present
tracks of the Belt railway.
The bill Is further changed by requiring
all extensions authorized to be made in
Two Years from the passage of the act and
the following new clause is added: Pro
Nideu, that III case any one more of the
extensions Shall not be completed and
operated regularly within the time specified
! then so much of this act as authorizes
such uncompleted extensions shall be void
and OF no effect.
The provision for a passenger house at
The corner of nth and b streets south
west Is stricken out, and also that which
relates TO the joint use of tracks by these
roads and other existing lines.