Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-26
lexington and Belt Roads to Have
the Underground System.
PLANS OF THE new SYNDICATE
About the Men Now Controlling
These Properties.
PROBABLE HEADQUARTERS

the Columbia and Maryland railroad and
all the railroads connected with it to equip
the lexington road in this city with the
Underground system created much interest
In this city. 1t is stated that it is the in
tentlon to begin at once the electrical equip
hent OF this road, as 1t is an important
FEEDER Tor the proposed electric road be-
tween this city and Baltimore.
II Is further stated that the portions of
the road between this city and Baltimore
which are now nearly completed and which
extend for some distance from each city
through the suburban territory, will be
put In such condition that they can be
operated at as early date as possible.
The middle portion which lies between the
extreme suburban limits of the two
cities. will be finished at later
date date, 1t is claimed that the two
sections OF the proposed road, con-
Meeting. as they do, the business center of
each city with populous suburban sec
ton, give promise of a paying business,
and that 1t is the purpose to get them in
running order so that the company can be-
gin to reap the benefits of the traffic which
Is believed will come to the proposed road.
between This City and Baltimore.
1t is, however, positively stated that the
new owners look upon the entire project
of the road connecting the two business
sections Of Washington and Baltimore as
likely to prove good paying investment
and while it it stated that they intend at
first to get into running order the two
ends of the contemplated road, it is not the
desire that it should be understood that
they do not propose to carry out the entire
enterprise.
AS the street railway in Baltimore terrni-
rating at Howard and Saratoga streets is
already equipped and is in running order
end the road HO{np tho c,,l,, rl,c
OF Baltimore is practically completed, the
main work to be done will be centered In
this city. 1t is likely. therefore, that the
general Offices of the company will be 10.
Gated here. The syndicate that has pur-
chased these properties appears under the
corporate name of the Baltimore Security
ana Trading Company, but it is said that
1t Is the purpose to keep alive the organi-
zation of tile various companies which
controlled and owned the railroad proper
ties which have been acquired
Practically One Control.
Ihese companies are all to be reorganized
by the election Of new officers. For ex-
ample. the directors Of the Belt and the
lexington roads in this city will be chosen
by the owners of a majority Of the stock
In this road, that majority, Of course. 1t
beixg understood, is now owned by this
syndicate: Then the directors will elect
omeers- Thts process will be repeated in
all the companies owned by the syndicate.
and, while the directors and officers will
not be precisely the same persons In ali
respects, yet practically all the corpora
tions will be under one and the same con-
troll. WI
1t Is expected that this reorganization of
the various companies will be made in the
course OF a couple OF weeks, and when that
Is accomplished then steps will be at once
taken to get the roads in running order
II Is proposed, as above stated, to first
EQUIP the Lexington, as that is an integral
part OF the system, with the underground
electric power, and, under the act of Con-
gress 1t is stated that tine company has
the power to equip their lines with this
system without waiting for the action of
Congress.
Need Not Go to Congress.
1t Is stated that the law which required
both the lexington and the Belt railway
companies to equip those portions of their
respective lines which are situated within
the boundaries Of the city of Washing
ton with compressed air motors, also pro-
vided that In the event the compressed air
motors should not prove a success then
the SAID companies shall put into opera
ton the underground electric system.
- Is salo 1hat the work of electrical
equipment OF the lexington road will be
begun at an early date, in fact at as early
a Gate as is practicable, and that the I'M
foreground system will be constructed along
the route OF this road within the old bounds
lying outside of the city limits win he on
Grated by the overhead trolley.
Like the Chevy Chase.
At the city bounds a similar device will
be used on the cars to that which is en-
pioyed on the cars of the Chevy Chase line
and the underground trolley will be insert
ed beneath the cars and they can continue
their trip into the city. On the trip leaving
the city the underground trolley can be re-
moved and the overhead trolley used.
1t Is further announced to be part of
sng pan OF TINS syndicate to equip the Belt
railroad with the underground system as
soon as is practicable without Interfering
with the execution of their plans for get
ting into speedy working order the Ecking-
and Maryland which extends out through
the suburbs toward Baltimore.
Command Large Capital.
1t is interesting in this connection to
know something about the personnel of the
new management. The name OF Mr. John
E. Searles of New York city is mentioned
first in the accounts which have been given
OF the contamination of this deal 1t is
said that this is not accidental, as Mr.
Searles is largely interested in this enter
prise. He is perhaps better known in this
country as the secretary OF the sugar trust
than In any other way. But Mr.. Searles is
said to be a substantial and conservative
business man, and is the president Of the
Western National Bank, one OF the largest
institutions OF the kind in New York citv
He is said to be not only a man of exten-
sive means, but is in a position to COM
mand large sums of money.
Next to the name Of Mr.. Searles appears
that of H. p. Scott of Wilmington Del
who Is a well-known banker and broker.
and is at the head of large business. He.
like Mr.. Searles, also controls q good deal
Of capital and has been more or less prom
inent promoter Of large financial en-
terprises.
Members of the Syndicate.
Thomas J. Hayward and Edward L. Bart
lett and Henry A. Parr Of Baltimore are
mentioned a. members Of the syndfcste.
The two former are connected with a large
banking house In Baltimore, and Mr.. Parr
Is also engaged In the banking business.
These men are said to represent personaIIv
and officially good deal Of monox
Another member Of the syndicate is Chas
A. Lieb of New York city Mr.. Lieb IL
the president Of the Heat, Light and Power
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