Evening star., 1896-02-24
Conference Between the Commits
sioners and Senator Mcmillan.
What PRESIDENT NEWBOLD Was TOLD
Rapid Transit and No Experiments
Wanted in the District.
PLANS FOR EXTENSION


been powerful pressure brought to bear
upon the District committee for certain
legislation along these lines, and nothing
definite was decided until at the recent
hearing before the District Commissioners
1t was fairly well demonstrated that the
public sentiment was opposed to the con-
tfnuance of the old methods of transporta-
ton, and favored the extension of the en-
terprising lines already occupying the local
field. 1t has always been Senator McMill-
ans view, 1T is we'll known. that new terri
tory should be occupied by existing lines
that have given good enough service in the
past to entitle them TO such privileges, and
since the betterments of the Capital Trac-
tion, Metropolitan and Columbia companies
have been effected he has strongly favored
the granting of extension rights to these
roads.
Conference With the CommissiOners,
There was a conference today at the
Capitol between Senator Mcmillan and
Commissioners Ross, Powell and Truesdell
In regard to the street railway questions
that have been accommodating Mai Pow
ell had with him large map Of the Dis
trict, on which We're marked the various
extensions asked by different companies
and by means of which he explained to
the Senator the plan of new constructions
favored by the Commissioners. This was
mittee, who has long desired that the
local authorities should decide upon a
plan of street railway extensions in order
to give the committee the basis for COM
prehensive legislation upon the subject.
He felt that it was unjust to the citizens
tfat they should be continually harassed
Dy rumorS of new street car lines being
established in localities that We're opposed
10 such improvements or innovations, and
he believes that instead of what might be
called popSun" local legislation for street
railway charters there should be near
ly as possible a consolidation of such
measures into as few enactmentS as pos
sibie so as to make them harmonious.
What Mr. Newbold Was Told.
A year ago or more the Senate passed, at
lis suggestion. a resolution calling upon the
Commissioners TO present such a plan, but
nc answer was received from tue District
building, and the consultation of today is
the first step that has been had since then in
ms line 1t is not practically understood
that there shall be no extension privileges
granted to the lexington or Belt roads,
lut that these lines shall be compelled to
adopt rapid transit system as speedily
as practicable This of course puts an end
10 the bills now pending for Eckir gton and
Belt extensions. President Newbold, of the
two roads, had brief conference with
S. nator Mcmillan this afternoon, and was
smphatically told that the committee could
not consent to the 18th street and NJ street
extensions under any circumstances AMI
was adverse to granting any extension
rights until the road should improve it's
present system
No Experiments Wanted.
Mr.. Newbold said that he had been look
ing into the matter of compressed air
motors, and hoped to have them on his
lines before many months. Mr.. Mcmillan
assured him that the committee was not
disposed to favor any experimental, and
PROBABLY imprdcticahle, methods of propul-
sion while the city possessed such an ex-
cellent demonstration of the value and
utility OF the under ground electric system
as that afforded by the successful working
or the 9TH street line. He told Mr. New
bold further that President Phillips of the
Metropolitan road had but recently assured.
him that the business of the 9th street
line had Increased 100 per cent since the
installation of the electrical system and he
believed that it would be better business
policy for the lexington and Belt roads TO
follow this example and to put in a first
class electrical equipment than to expert
ment with unknown quantities and extend
their lines into Improbable territories.
Other Railroad Officials.
MIR. Newboid's visit followed close upon
call from President Phillips and Attorney
Wilson for the Metropolitan line Mr.. VIII
son also represents the Columbia road. It
was In the course of this conversation that
Mr.. Phillips gave the chairman of the COM
Newbold, and in addition Mr. Mcmillan was
told that the Columbia company was now
considering the question of substituting an
underground electric system for its cable
line This would conform to the system
now In use on 9th street and soon to be in
operation on the other branch of the Metro
politan road, with which the Columbia con-
meets. This was very gratifying to the
@ chalrnah man OF tne committee, who believes
tnat the underground system as developed
on the 9TH street line leads all of the now
known methods of rapid transit
The COmmisSi0ners' Plan.
1t Is understood that the Commissioners,
In their plan submitted tentatively to Mr..
Mcmillan today, favor the extension of the
Capital Traction Company's lines into the
territory lying south Of PENNSYLVANIA
avenue and west of the State. War and
Navy building, which is contested for by
the Columbia line. They also regard as
this same road up 22d street. They believe.
further, that IL franchises are granted for
car lines cut the Benning and Blsdensburg
roads they should be In the form of ex-
tensions OF the Columbia line. which, 1t is
thought, has the best claim upon this ter
ritory. There Is little disposition felt at
present to favor any material additions to
the trackage of the Metropolitan line and
~ IS PFobable that. at this\Session, at least.
thers VIII be no legislation to this effect
Inc AnucOSt10 Road.
The Anacostia road Is a ripe subject for
legislation at any time, and there Is a dis
position on the part of the committee to
overhaul the affairs of this company in
snort order, and to either force the present
corporation to improve the service mater
laily or to give the territory over to a new
ana more enterprising concern The case
comes to point in a marked manner lust at
present, owing to the complaints that ere
being received with great frequency against
. the continued use of one-horse cars. which
were expressly prohibited by the Commis-
sioners some time ago at the Suggestion
1t is said. Of Chairman Mcmillan.
Universal Transfers.
The reciprocal transfer question Is also
liable to be speedily solved. The bill row
pending providing for universal transfers
on all the lines within the District of CO.
lumbia Is not apt to be passed, but Its main
provisions will be secured by amendment,
to the street railway legislation that may
pass the Senate. 1t Is quite probable that
for the present this measure will be con-
fined to providing for reciprocal transfers
within ths city limits. --.,-s.1--