Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-26
NEW MOTIVE POWER
Bill to Give the Anacostia Railway
an Opportunity.
IT PROVIDES FOR RAPID TRANSIT
Permission to Lease or Purchase
Connecting Lines.
OTHER DISTRICT MATTERS

ing from Inc lG.Ck Oh InCueFN street runway
| facilities. are now in fair way to be over
| supplied with rapid transit. Senator Nc
MILAN today. by request of President Girls
wold OF the present AEacostia Railway
Company. introduced bill which requires
that npany to introduce rapid transit
methods on its lines within five years at
the most. This bill has an Interesting re-
lation to the entire street railway system
of the city, as well as to the strictly local
conditions across the river. Briefly, the
measure proposed by President Griswold
grants to his company the right to equip
his main city line with "a modern system
of motive power" without special des!g-
nation OF restriction. within two years, but
If this project should fail, the underground
electric system shall be substituted on this
line within three years additional. Thus
the period of five years is granted, two for
experiments with motors and other rapid
transit methods and three years for the
installation of the underground electric
system Should all other plans fail.
But by far the most important feature of
the bill is the sixth section, which gives
the Anacostia company the right to buy
CT lease any connecting line, thereby in
cluding the Capital Traction. the Metro
poEtan railway, the Belt Line and Eek
1ngton companies, leaving but one, the Co
lumbia, exempt from this possibility. The
bill is here given in full:
Full Text of the Bill.
''The Anacostia and Potomac River Rail-
road Company is hereby authorized, en-
powered and required to substitute for the
propulsion of it's cars by horse power upon
IT'S trunk or main line beginning at or
near the Washington end or abutment of
the Navy Yard bridge, in. upon or along
llth street east to G street south; along
street to 18th street east; along 4tn street
street west: along Canal street to B street
south; along B street to 30 street west;
along Sd street to Missouri avenue; along
Missouri avenue to 9th street west: along
Oth street to B street north; along B street
to 9th street west; along 9th street to G.
street north: along G. street to 11th street
west; along 11th street to street north;
along r street to 9th street west. and re-
turning by the same route to the point
mentioned at the Navy Yard bridge
modern system of motive power for such
propulsion upon and along said route with
IN a period of two years from the approval
of this act.
Failing to do which in such manner as
will meet the public needs within the time
specified, the said company is authorized.
empowered and required to substitute an
underground electric system for the pro-
pulsion of its cars along the route men,
tiCred, within period of not later than
three years from the approval of this act; !;
and for the purpose CT the substitution
herein mentioned the said company is au-
thorized to construct build and maintain
all necessary and useful conduits subWa VS.
fixtures, appurtehances and appliances for
the complete and successful operation and
maintenance of its road and cars. Provid-
ed, that wherever the construction along
the route herein mentioned comedies, con-
meets or unites with the route of any other
duly incorporated street railway company
in the District Of Columbia but one set of
tracks shall be used. Provided. further,
that whenever, in the construction Of an
underground system of electrical propul-
sion, the method or manner OF such system
is applicable to or compatible with that of
any other coinciding or connecting routes
contact may be made with and all proper
hXtures and appliances constructed for the
conducting of electrical current or trans
mission of power to and with such other
company's system upon terms and compen-
sation to be mutually agreed upon by the
companies in interest. And in case of fail
ure to reach such mutual agreement the
matters in dispute Shall be determined by
the Supreme Court of the District of Co
lumbia upon petition filed by either party.
May He Extensions.
Section 9. The said company is further
authorized, empowered and required to
substitute upon it's other lines Or branches
in the city Of Washington, from time to
time as the public needs may require. a
like method and in the manner hereinbefore
described, for the propulsion OF it's cars
upon said lines or branches in the city OF
Washington.
Section ,. Upon or after the completion
upon its trunk or main line the subst;tu-
ton abCve mentioned, the said company
is hereby authorized TO similarly construct
equip, operate and maintain an extension Of
its. route from its tracks at ne intersection
of 18th street east with - street south
along said 1ith Straet TO Boundary street
or Florida avenue, whenever. the grades
OF said 1lth street shall have been per-
nanently established AMI the street i'm
proved.
Section 4. The said company is fur
tier authorized to construct equip. oper-
ate and maintain IN extension of its route
from it's present terminus at 18th and e
streets southeast, ;,lon:; the line of f
street extended to the district line in Mary
land, and to connect with it's route and
terminus along the Good Hope road at the
District line.
Section .. Upon the adoption of any ap-
proved modern system of transit, the said
company shall Immediately proceed to con-
struct, equip and operate that portion of its
route from the Washington end of the Navy
Government Hospital for the Insane to
Congress Heights. and to point near to or
opposite the Giesboro' public school build
lEs also from It's tracks on Monroe street,
at the corner OF Harrison street, along said
Harrison street and the Good Hope road
TO point near to or opposite Overlook Inn.
May Lease or Purchase Other Lines.
Section G. The said company is here
by further authorized and empowered,
upon terms that may be mutually agreed
upon, to purchase or lease, operate, con-
troll and maintain any street car line in
the District of Columbia with which it
connects. crosses over or unites, and
to place all tracks, curves switches and
the connections necessary for the objects
sought. and for the purposes mentioned in
this section the said company is authorized
to change it's name and to increase its capi-
tai stock to such an amount as NAV he
necessary, not to exceed the heretobefore
tctal actual cost of construction and equip
ment and the reinstatement of motive
power on such line or lines, provided that
in such purchase or lease of any line or
lines whose motive power is that of horses
the terms of purchase shall be conditional
upon the substitution of a motive power
for the propulsion of the cars thereon as
provided in this act. Also provided that
In the exercise of the authority granted by
this act the company herein mentioned
shall possess the general powers and be
subject to the limitations and restrictions
of all acts heretofore granted relative there
to.
Section II. Congress may at any time
amend, alter or repeal this act"
The bill contains no provision for the
construction Of q bridge across the East