The morning times., 1896-02-23
MUST Be RiPID TRANSIT
Only Solution of the Street Car
Problem in Washington.
ALL LINES MUST ADOPT IT
Senator Mcmillan to Discuss the Situ-
morrow-A Universal Transfer Sys-
tenn Has Beer Decided On-Incon
yeHiences Electric Roads Suffer,

| Senate. Mcmillan proposes to take up the
| street oadquestiontomorrow. HemeetS
| the Commissioners and with them VIII
| discuss the matter in its various phases.
The age of rapid transit has come to the
city to stay and the underground electric
| system has the call. But just now, all
mprovemcntsares sadly lyhandicappedb some
horse cars.
Right in the business center of the city
the Interference of the horse car has become
serious thing. 1t Is now one of the
questions that will be discussed by Senator
Mcmillan and the Commissioners.
The greatest Inconvenience suffered by
any one or the rapid transit lines comes
To the Metropolitan. The Anacostia line
strikes it at Four-and-a-half street and
Missouri avenue and from that point to q
street the bob-tail horse car goes jogging
along right in front OF the cars of the
Metropolitan line. If one OF the horse cars
gets the right OF line it bars the passage
of the electric car pass the Baltimore and
Potomac depot to the Market. and up Ninth
street. The same thing happens on the
down trip from Z street. In all the
Anacostia interferes with the Metropolitan
for eighteen squares.
OTHER lNCONN ESlEN CES.
The Belt Line horse cars will be in the
way of rapid transit on Fourteenth street
from Pennsylvania avenue to B street
southwest as soon as the Washington and
Mt. Vernonn line is built. This will make
serious difference.
The lexington and Metropolitan lines
collide at street northwest; the two run
over the same line past the Baltimore and
Ohio depot. They again come together on
G street, up to Fifth, and on Ninth street
to Louisiana avenue. These are some Of
the other problems to be settled. The Belt
line wants TO abandon some of its lines
which may give a temporary relief, but
rapid transit on all lines seems the only
reasonable solution
The Columbia line is now considering
the advisability of changing its power to
the underground electric system. 1t is
about settled that this Congress will grant
| permission to the Columbia to extend its
lines out the Bladensburg and Columbia
roads. These extensions will be run by
overhead trolleys, and it will be necessary
to have an electric power.
TO DISCUSS REMEDIES.
The Anacostia people have been talked
to. They claim they are not in shape to
build an underground road. But they may
find that they must build or give up their
| charter.
1t would cost about $500, ,0G0 to put
| this line in shape, there being about one
| mile and u half of road to be built. The
lexington people are to put in their sys-
| TEN as soon as the Metropolitan people
| finish their line. They can then secure the
| same set OF men.
| If Senator Mcmillan and the Commission
| ers can agree on the best plan to meet all
| these difficulties, the Senate District Com
mttee will at once go ahead to straighten
out the measure now before them. Every
| thing will be rushed.
| Another matter will be touched upon
| at this meeting. That is the question OF
| a universal transfer. 1t is settled that
| this must come. All roads asking n trans
| fer now must make arrangements to meet
| this issue.