Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-02
THE GRAVITY ROAD
Mr.. Somsrville Resents Some Criticisms Re-
Gently Made.
Mt. Pleasant Citizens Discuss Railroad
pressed i'm Mr.. SOmerville.

At the regular monthly meeting OF the
Mt. Pleasant Citizens Association last
evening the principal matter discussed was
tine action Of President J. w. Somerville
in connection with the proposed Zoo grav-
ity railroad. Saturday last statement
was published in a local morning news
paper, intimating that Mr.. Somerville had
assured the District Commissioners that
the association favored the railway. Mr..
Fl. ID. Walnidge, member of the asso-
citation. was reported as suggesting that
the association had been misrepresented.
1t was also reported that Mr.. Somerville
had Informed the Commissioners that the
railroad committee of the association IA
vored the railway, or that he could get
the committee to approve 1t. In the publ
cation Mr.. j. NJ. Clapp was reported as
saying that the scheme was a blackmail-
ing one, and that it is impracticable.
Denied Charges.
Leaving the chair, Mr.. Somerville stated
that he desired to make a personal ex-
plaration. He regretted the necessity for
1t, but believed that unless he was set
right In the matter his usefulness, both as
the president and as a member of the as
sociaticn, would be forever destroyed. He
then read the article iii question, and next
the letter from Ethelbert Baier, one of the
interested parties IN the proposed gravity
railroad, In which the charges that the
road would not be built and might hang
were indigl antly denied. The writer stated
that an amendment would be offered pro-
vlding that the road sh ould be built inside
OF one year from the passage of the BILL
Mr. Baier also avowed the ability of the
designers to build and run the road and to
make 1t success from financial and en-
cheering Standpoints.
Harmony Follows.
Referring to Mr.. Walbridges reported
statements, Mr.. Somerville remarked that
he considered them an attack on him. The
relations between them had been always
pleasant, and he deeply regretted that he
felt compelled to refer to the matter But
he felt certain that he could clearly show
that Mr.. Walbridge's statements were I'M
called for. Mr. Somerville said that before
expressing any opinion on the proposed
gravity railroad he had satisfied himself of
its financial backing, and that it would be
OF benefit to the people visiting the Zoo,
especially women and children. He there
lore personally favored it, and also thought
II would benefit Mt. Pleasant, as 1t would
require an expenditure Of at least 81 UOO-
Uo- Calling upon the District Commits
sioners he stated to Commissioner Ross, as
president of the association, of course that
ne thought the scheme good one, and
that he favored it, stating his reasons
But. explained Mr.. Somerville, II did not
tell Mr.. Ross that the associa ton favored
1t. for 1 distinctly explained to him that
the matter had never been presented to it,
Nor did l say that the associations COM
mittee on railroads favored it, or that 1
could get the committee to approve IT."
Mr.. Somervi1le further stated that he did
not then understand Mr.. Walbridge to be
opposed to the railroad. and had he so IN
derstood him he would have thought long
before favoring ii himself.
Then Mr.. Walbridge explained that he
had stoutly opposed the railroad from the
very first, believing it to be impractical BILE,
unnecessary, ard injurious to his and other
peoples property. Subsequently, he had
told Mr.. Somerville of his opposition. But
as for rejecting in any way upon Mr..
Somerville, nothing was further from his
he more highly and sincerely honored and
respected, and of no man with whom he
would rather trust his interests and prop
erty. And exclaimed Mr. Walbridge,
when say that can say no more"
Mr.. SomerviIIe IndOrscd.
Mr.. Somerville then expressed himself as
being perfectly satisfied with the statement
of Mr.. Walbridge. and as being very CRATE
full for his kindly expressions. But the
matter gave rise to long discussion, in
which Mr.. Benz. P. Davis violently opposed
the propt sed gravity railroad, referring to
it Is both obnoxious and noxious, remark
ing that it would, if ever constructed
which he very much doubted, resemble
more the grave of sea serpent than any
thing else. He offered resolution exoner-
ating Mr.. Somerville, and directing the
committee railroads to appear before
the Commissioners and Congress, if neces-
sary, for the purpose of expressing the as
sociation's opposition to the scheme, and
to ask that 1t be defeated. Mr. Brown
thought Mr.. Somerville had done nothing
fro m which he needed to be exonerated,
Vie hat
should be referred to the committee on
railroads. He therefore moved such a sub
stitute.
Mr.. Somerville said that he considered
the motion of Mr.. Davis as a personal re-
Election upon his action, whereupon Mr..
Davis disclaimed any such intention, and
then Mr.. Donald Mcpherson moved to lay
the whole matter on the table That mo-
ton was lost, as was the substitute of Mr..
Brown and the original motion of Mr..
Davis, and the matter was finally disposed
of by the adoption of q resolution, in whic h
the general course of MIR. Somerville, as
resident of the association, in taking such
action upon matters for the immediate in
terests of the association as he deemed best
a all times when such matters required
urgent attention, was Endorsed. The rail-
read project was then referred to the spe-
Cial committee on railroads.
Other business.
From the committee on sewers, Chair
man Woodruff reported that memorial
would be presented to the Senate appro-
priations committee, praying that the items
for sewers stricken out in the House be re-
inserted by the Senate.
Upon the motion of Mr.. Chaplin Brown, a
special committee of three was authorized
to be appointed to prepare a memorial to be
presented to Congress, praying that Ana
lcstan Island be purchased by the District
for the purpose of erecting thereon a con-
tegious hospital.
A like committee, of which the secretary
shall be chairman, was directed to be ap-
pointed, to consider the advisab.lity of re-
vising the constitution and bylaws.
Mr.. Brown. from the committee on rail-
reads, explained the bill prepared by the
District Commissioners relative to the pro-
posed extension of street railways to the
Zoo and Rock Creek Parks, stating that
TIE Star had anticipated all he had to say,
however. by publishing the bill and routes.
Upon his motion a special or auxiliary
committee was authorized to be appointed
to assist the regular committee on railroads
liz the matter of extension of street rail-