Evening star., 1897-02-20
A QUESTION OF A BRIDGE
Difference of Opinion as to the East Wash.
ington Heights Traction Company.
The Majority of the House Committed
Favor Its Incorporation, While
the Minority Oppose 1t.

1t has been a long time since a minority
report has been submitted upon bill from
the House District committee. but a sharp
division Of opinion has been manifested in
the committee upon the bill to incorporate
the East Washington Heights Traction
Company.
The majority report on the bill gays, in
part:
1.-The incorporators named in the bill are
men of welI-known good repute and finan-
ciaI standing. and this committee is en-
tirely satisfied. that the road will be
promptly built IL the charter is granted.
The committee accept as evidence of the
good faith of the Incorporation in this re-
gard the fact that they have already ex-
pended upward of $JOOOO0 in the section Of
the District through which this road will
pass.
The route of this road is from East
Capitol and Sth streets southwark along
Sth street to Pennsylvania avenue. thence
eastward by an underground electric road
to the Anacostia or Eastern branch of the
Potomac river. thence over a bridge of its
own construction-under the supervision of
the Secretary of War--thence eastward
along Pennsylvania avenue to Branch ave-
nue.. thence southwark to Bowen road. and
thence along either 34th street or Bliss ave-
nue. to the District line: also beginning at
ward to the settlement known as Garfield.
1t will be noted that this line does not par
ailei any existing street railway. either
within the city without.
THE bill provides that this road shall
issue free transfers to its patrons to the
capital Traction Company and to the Me-
tropolitan Company. and the points where
connections are made with these existing
lines are the nearest and most accessible
points to that section of the District which
this road will serve
The committee have given special and
full consideration to the needs and wishes
of the people residing In the territory to be
served by this company, who have by petit
ton signed by over one thousand residents
and property owners along the proposed
line. by resolution, and by pers onal appear
ance before the District committee urged
the passage of this measure. The road will
accommodate several villages - Twining
Good Hope and Garfiald-which are now
absolutely without stret-car facilities of
any kind, and will oben to easy access a
large section of country beautifully adapt
ed to residence purposes.
1.-The committee recommend the follow
ing amendments: Provided, That the
Washington and Marlboro Electric Railway
Company of Maryland shall be permitted to
use the tracks and bridge Of that portion
of the route described in this section be-
tween Pennsylvania avenue and 10Th street
east and Pennsylvania avenue and Rail-
road avenue east, on the terms and con-
ditions prescribed in the twelfth section of
this act"
The minority report is signed by Messrs.
Abbott, Richardson. Harmcr, Rusk ana
Wellington. and says. in part:
..The undersigned members Of the COM
mittee on the District CT Columbia. can
not coIcur with the committee IN report
ing the Senate bill 2S40. Incorporating the
East Washington Heights Traction Rail-
way Company The bill authorizes pri-
vate corporation to build a bridge or tres