Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-04
Strong Probabilities That the Cables
Will Be Temporarily Bun.
4 MODIFIED PLAN FAVORED
Moving Ahead to Introduce Under
ground Electricity.
MT. PLEASANT SENTIMENT

Company decided at a late hour Saturday
afternoon to take definite action upon the
adoption of the underground system CT
electricity on the avenue and 18th street
lines, and resolution was adopted by
unanimous vote of those present providing
that measures be taken at once to put In
a system similar to that now In operation
on the lines of the Metropolitan Railway
Company, with all the improvements that
have teen discovered since that system
was introduced Tie intention of the COM
pany Is to install the very best under
ground electric system possible, and no
expense will be spared in achieving this
result. The reason for the adoption OF
this sy stem instead of the Love system,
now in successful operation on the U
street line of the Capital Traction Conn
pany, was, as stated in The Star of Sal
III day, because the general public of Wash
irgton was so thoroughly well pleased
with the and 9th street lines, and the
Traction Company decided to carry out
its policy of always meeting the wishes OF
the public whenever possible. Work was
at once commenced on the specifications
and is now progressing at very satlsfac-
tory rate.
The proposition of the Walker Manufac-
turing Company of Cleveland. Ohio. to sup
ply electric appliances by which the drums
and other apparatus used to run the cable
would be kept moving was declined The
directors felt that they would have been
very glad to have restored rapid transit to
their lines temporarily during the progress
Of the work of putting in the permanent
system, but they We're confronted with the
fact that the work upon the conduits, which
must necessarily be changed, In order to
permit the introduction of the electric APP
pliances, would require the complete con-
troll by the contractor of the condults dur
ing its progress, and therefore they re-
lrctantly concluded not to further consider
the Cleveland company's highly appreciate
ed offer.
Modified Plan Favored.
When this decision was reached and the
reasons for it were made known, modi-
fled plan was presented by which the
Walker company proposed to place at once
on the site of the destroyed machinery
temporary drum to be propelled by cleo
tricity. to be obtained from one of the local
electric power companies. a. which would
operate a cable along that part of the line
not being used by the contractor in the
electric construction. This suggestion has
met with very favorable consideration. end
the probability now Is that the 14th street
line and Pennsylvania avenue from 18th
street to the navy yard will be operated by
cable while the line on Pennsylvania ave-
nue. from the Georgetown terminus to 18th
street is being changed to the new system.
Then the electric cars will be operated as
far as sthe construction is completed in
conjunction with the cable on the remain
ing section, horse cars being used on tenn
porary tracks along the part of the line
on which the work is being done. The
details of this plan are now being complet-
ed by the company engineers. If the propo-
sition as above described Is accepted. and
there seems to be no doubt that such an
advantageous arrangement will be, the ca
bles will be in operation within two weeks,
as the Walker Manufacturing Company has
secured the necessary achinery from the
abandoned cable plant of the Blue Line of
Baltimore, and as il could be gotten here
with only few days delay, it would only
be necessary. So one of the engineers ex-
plaiI ed today. TO put 1t in position on the
site OF the old plant and cover II with
temporary wooden structure.
II has also been practically decided by
the directors of the company that while
at work with the installation of the new
system they will endeavor to extend it out
18th street as far as the Columbia lCad
and possibly as far as the Geological Park
as this part Of the city is so rapidly grow
ing that 1t will undoubtedly require such
system In very snort time Bids have
been invited from several sources and are
now being submitted.
The new system will be put in as RAPIDLY
as human skill and ingenuity and muscle
ana money can accomplish the result. The
company. of course. realizes that its earn
ings are very materially reduced by the
present system of horse cars and will
make every effort possible to restore rapid
delay. -.
The Power House Selected.
One need not go far to determine the To-
cation of the power house, which will con-
tain the machinery for the running of the
avenue and 14th street lines. The former
headquarters of the Washington and
Georgetown Railroad Company on NJ
street in Georgetown, will undoubtedly be
taken Tor this purpose. The building is
commodious and admirably adapted for the
use described. 1t runs back from NJ street
to the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, and
from the latter the coal may be obtained
for running the engines without cost of
hauling, and abundant water secured for
the boilers Under this ARRANGEMENT the
work of installing the machinery can pro-
coed simultaneously with the work of
changing the conduits and installing there
In the electrical appliances.
Beard Cars at Street Corners.
President Dunlop, in behalf of the Capt.
tai Traction Company, desires to ask the
| public to board the cars on the 14th street
and Pennsylvania avenue lines at the cor
ners of the streets. and not in the middle
of the squares He says that in doing this
| ii will be saving of time and a great help
| to the poor horses. until the new system is
instituted. By continuing the system fol-
lowed while the cable road was in opera
| ton the cars will run on the three-minutc
| schedule. thus affording the public the hest
| possible service under the present circum-
stances.
Mt. Pleasant Wants Another Road.
The result of the calamity that has over
| taken the Capital Traction Company in
| rendering rapid transit impossible on the
18th street lire has been particularly bur-
densome to the citizens of Mount Pleasant,
| who at present are not within convenient
reach of any other road, and are conse-
quently subjected to great delays in reach
| ing the business portion of the city. and
| to much Inconvenience. Many representa-
| tive citizens of the populous and rapidly
| growing section declare that the present
| condition of the Capital Traction Company
! shows clearly how they are dependent up
| on a single road, which many of them also
\ assert does not afford adequate means of
| transportation between Mount Pleasant
| and the business portion of the city The
/ outcome of the present discussion of af-
| fairs will, II is confidently expected, result
! in action in behalf of securing the extern
| sion OF the Metropolitan railroad system
! from its present terminus, 18th street and
| Columbia road, to and through Mount
\ Pleasant