Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-28

of pipe line would, of course, overcome
this weakness of power and minimize one
Of the principal objections to the system.
An Important Factor.
'The most important factor, however,
which must ultimately determine the per-
manency of the system, If 1t is Installed, is
one which cannot be ascertained by any
test within the power of the Commissioners
to make, which is the cost of operation.
When that question has been raised the
company has invariably met it with the
statement that that is matter which does
not concern the public but belongs entirely
to the company. 1t does concern the pub
lie, however, to the extent that unless the
system can be operated as economically as
other modern motive powers and yield the
stockholders a profit, the duration of its
life will be short, and it stands to reason
that until this cost can be definitely ascer-
tanned 1t Is not probable that the lexington
company Will put such complete equip
ment on the line as will afford satisfac-
tory service.
When the Maryland and Columbia line
Is completed and equipped the lexington
company, FOR 1t Is one and the same con-
Germ. will have forty miles of road between
Washington and Baltimore operated by
eiectricity-the overhead trolley. If the air
motor IS adopted on this end of the line
tney VIII have a few miles of terminal
facilities operated by a different power,
with an Independent plant, costing more
than double as much to operate per car
mile than 1t does the electric road 1t
stands to reason therefore that it will be
found much more economical to operate
the whole line by electricity than 1t will
be to maintain costly independent air
power plant on this end of it. Therefore
1t Is believed that when the lexington
line is permently equipped it will be with
an electric system.
Open Question Discussed.
If ho
ton and other citizens Of our section, while
entertaining views similar to those ex-
pressed herein. have favored temporary
air motor equipment as an Improvement
on the horse car service of the present, but
the railway committee has not enter
tanned that view. The members of the
company believed that while the matter
remained an open question II was their
duty to do everything in their power to
secure for our section the underground
electric system. which all admit to be the
better, more reliable and satisfactory Of the
two motive powers. The matter now, how
ever, Is past argument and the case is In
the hands Of the Commissioners for final
determination. No permits have yet been
issued, but from what l can ascertain the
Commissioners. while entertaining the same
views as to the superiority of the under
ground electric system, which they would
like to see installed, are disposed to au-
thoriZe an air motor equipment and will
probably very shortly issue the necessary
permits for that purpose, as they cannot
well do otherwise under the law.
The probabilities are, however, that af-
ter the permits are issued there will be
some further contention over the pipe line,
there being difference of opinion between
the Commissioners and the company on
the law in this respect. If the Commits
sioners refuse to permit a pipe line to be
laid, it is probable that the company will
appeal to Congress for authority to put
one in and thus cause further delay.
I'm concluding this report your COM
mittee desires to express it's appreciation
of the deep interest which Commissioner
Black has displayed in this railroad ques-
ton, and the consideration and courtesy
he has at all times shown the members
when they had occasion to call upon him
in relation to the matter