The evening times., 1896-04-10

Mr.. R. II. Phillips, representing the
Washington and Falls Church RAILROAD.
a line Of which covering about two miles of
! space between Arlington and the Aqueduct
| bridge being already in operation, ap-
pearcd today before The Commissioners and
| made "a fOrccful plea for their favorable
consideration of the bill pending in Con-
gress to give The. company right of entry
INTO the District by route of its own.
Under the provisions OF the bill the com
pany is Incorporated in the District and in
vested with all the franchises heretofore
granted the Washington and Arlington
Company, instead or being required to
cross the Potomac by bridge at or near
the Three Sisters, shall have the right 10
construct and operate a single.track rail-
way over the Aqueduct bridge.
The Washington. Airing ton 4 Falls Church
corporation is successor 10 the rights, fran
chiscs and property Of the Washington Ar
lington. with line in operation tothe SOUTH
ern end OF the Aqueduct Bridge. and applica-
lion for the privilege sought Of crossing
the Aqueduct Bridge is backed by the state
ment. incorporated in the preamble to the
bill. that the extension of the road into the
District would not only benefit residents
north of the river, but would facilitate
travel between the National Cemetery at
Arlington, Fort Myer and the adjoining
country.
BRIDGE TOO EXPENSIVE.
Mr.. Phillips said the company could not
undertake to build bridge of its OVID; IL
would be too expensive. A ferry was not
advisable, ne said. nor would the company
-. Ira dn1
His plan would be to bring the roadway
Of the bridge up flush with the sidewalks,
and by that means, he contended, there
would be no danger whatever, to passing
travel.
DO you believe, Mr.. Phillips, that you
can get your bill through the Senate
inquired President Ross.
Il do not know. Mr.. Commissioner. We
now want your Endorsement OF the mea-
sure and that will be one step. 1t is really
the only natural point of entrance in the
city,
Il do not believe you Will ever succeed in
passing it-never in the World, = commented
Mr.. Ross.
1t transpired that similar bill had been
once before the Senate, and, the ConInis-
sioners said. was given at that tine no COu-
slderatlot whatever.
Mr.. Phillips, however. who seemed 10 d.
making an uphill fight for the coveted
privilege, said the bill did not then re-
ceive consideration because OF the Oh
lection made by Senator German, who
wanted TO favor the Maryland side OF the
District, and by Senator Faulkner OF
West Virginia, who wants, don't know
what" concluded Mr.. Phillips.
And Senator Hale" commented one OF
the Commissioners.
And Senator Hale, 'assented MI. Phillips.
The advocate OF the roads Interest said
he thought there could be no danger TO
passing teams, and said that ir the Com
missioners should see proper the AqUeduct
Bridge might he widcned TO give a road
way OF fifty or seventy-five feet. There
is not a present necessity for this change,
he said, the roadway being wide enough to
easily admit of n single track.
THE ONLY OUTLET.
Commissioner Powell said that after The
completion of the proposed memorialbridge
there might be less objection to the grant
ing Of franchise over the Aqueduct, but
that, he asked, is a present the only outlet
for quiet drive bet ween Washington and
A rlingtOn.
Mr.. James f. Clements of Alexandria
county, accompanied the railway repre-
sentative. and made an eloquent second in
behalf OF the road. There should be a bond
Of unison any sympathy between the Dis
trct and Alexandria county-onCc com
bineti-but IL seems, he said, that after the