The evening times., 1896-04-20
NEW BILL TO Be DRAWN
lexington and Belt Lines Future
Under Discussion.
HORSES ARE NOT IN FAVOR
The Representative of the Former
Company Said That If 1t wns Com
PEELED Longer TO Use Equines II
Would BE willing to Abandon Bus
iness-An Agreement Reached.


Committee on street railways this morn
ing gave hearing on the Senate bill to
provide for extensions on the lexington and
soldiers Home and Belt Line railroads.
Ex-senator Hunton presenteda "a mapshow'
ing tue various routes over which ii is
proposed TO build new lines.
Col. Douglass then explained from the
map those routes. The first, he said
begins at seventh ana c streets northeast
and extends down Seventh to the navy
yard and n streets. and thence to Ninth
street and Georgia avenue, which Will be
the terminus.
Another route begins at North Capitol
stree: and Michigan avenue and extends out
Michigan avenue and along the Bunker
Hill road to connect with the present sys-
TEN to the Soldiers Home. Thence around
the Bunker Hill road 20 the grounds OF the
Catholic University. These are all the ex
tensions asked for by the lexington.
The rirsf.proposei B,lt line extension be-
gins at Fourth and o streets northwest.
north ou Fourth street to Seventh street
extended. connecting with the BrglItwoo
road. covering in its course a number OF
new streets.
Another route begins al Eleventh street
and Florida avenue and runs by way OF
sherman street and Kenesaw avenue 10 the
Geological Park.
Tie third route begins at Water and
streets and continues to Della ware avenue
a number OF the streets included in the
several extensions have not been opeI-ad.
THE MOTIVE POWER.
In regard 10 rapid transit. Col. Douglass
said there is a provision in the bill author
izing the lexington Company to use such
motive power as the Commissioners may
authorize.
He said compressed air was the most sat
isfactory plan yet invented. In New York
the underground system was being aban-
doncd and compressed air substituted. He
would give his personal guarantee that the
service would be in every way suitable and
practicable TIE weight OF the cars would
be greatly reduced by the use OF compressed
air. The process Is not secret, but open at
all times 10 thorough investigation.
Col. Douglass said the lexington line
could be equipped in thirty DAYS with ten
cars. running from 7 and Fourth TO Fif-
teenth and q streets, and to the Center
Market, thus giving fIve-minute schedule
on those two branches.
TIE important feature of the proposed ex-
tensions, Col. Douglass said. lay in the fact
that the electric line being built by his peo-
pie between Washington and Baltimore was
nearing completion. and would tap their
city lines at Fourth street and Rhode Island
avenue northeast. II Is desirable to dis
tribute people to all parts OF tits city after
they are brought TO the point OF connection.
" 4aNp.is l'JI tilf ttt II Ibei~s
asked that an ncndment be insert edre quir-
ing the Belt line TO use their own tracks
on Water street. instead of running on
the Metropolitan tracks.
William Ii. Henderson. president of the
North Capitol and lexington Citizens As
>oCiaton, spoke in opposition To the bill
and urged that the lexington company be
compelled 20 operate Portions Of their road
which have been Idle for the past two
years. The suburbs OF lexington and West
lexington had been built up when the com
lany maintained 4 fairly good service IN
New York avenue.
With the abandonment OF rapid transit,
caused by tie abolition or the trolley system.
property had greatly deprecated in value
and the residents were compelled to under
90 much Inconvenience. He thought Pre- per
restrictions should be inserted in the bill
80 that the company would ne compelled
to carry outit provisions and not have the
performance OF duty left optional.
NO RIGHT TO ASSUME.
Mr.. Henderson especially antag nized
the Michigan avenue extension. because II
paraIleled their present line and might re-
suit In its abandonment.
X'BeprcScntativc TaIbert Of Maryland.
who was present with Col. Douglass. said
Mr.. Henderson had no right to assume that
the road would abandon any portion Of their
lines, and il would lie time enough 10 com.
plain W hen they had done so.
Mr.. Henderson said experience had
taught him and his associates not TO leave
such matters optional. Continuing he
urged that the lexington line be given
authority to use compressed air or any
o: her form Of rapid transit that will not
be too expensive for their revenues.
Mr.. BabCock called attention TO the
large number of petitions received, signed
by thousands of citizens. protesting against
the further use of horses as i motive power
by the lexington road.
Col. Douglass said if his company is COM
PEELED to continue horse cars they will
abandon The lines and 20 out OF business.
1t was agreed that Il bill should be at
once prepared. enhodying the amendments
suggested N the hearing. for immediate in
PRODUCTION in the House.