Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-30
Discussion of the Plans of Two Lead
ing Companies.
BEFORE The COMMISSIONERS
Proposed Occupancy Of New Ter
ritory in Two Sections.
METROPOLITAN'S PROTEST

morning gave a hearing on the protest re-
Gently filed by the Metropolitan Railroad
Company against allowing the Capital
Traction Company to extend its line out
14th street to Howard avenue to 18th
street, thence to Park street to place of
beginning. The Metropolitan company also
protested against the occupancy by the
Capital Traction Company of the north side
of street in the ascent of Capitol Hill. At
the hearing today the Metropolitan COM
pany was represented by President Weaver.
Secretary Coleman and by Mr.. Nathaniel
Wilson, the attorney for the company.
The Capital Traction Company was unrep-
sented. President NJ. A Ballinger of the
Columbia Heights Citizens Association,
Mr. H. D. Walbridge, Mr.. Frank B. Moves,
Mr.. NJ. l. Weller and others were present
at the hearing.
After explaining the protest Mr.. Wilson
asked that the hearing on it be before the
full board of Commissioners, but it being
explained to him that Commissioner Ross
might not return to the city until some
time next week, and it being necessary to
report TO Congress in the matter as soon
as possible. it was concluded to at once go
on with the discussion. Mr.. Wilson then
referred to the proposed occupancy of the
north side Of & street by the Capital Trac-
ton Company, and explained that in the
opinion OF the Metropolitan company and
Its engineers there is no necessity for the
change Of the tracks. The grade on south
street. they contend. is no sleeper than
ON north 4 street. and by the use of the
improved electric brakes the grade will in
no event. present such difficulties as to
variant the change.
Serious Objection.
The most serious matter to be considered.
thought Mr.. Wilson, was the northern ex-
tension of the Metropolitan road In the
northwest the road now ends at 18th street
and Columbia road, and while the company
expected some day TO extend the line north
L. MI. Pleasant and thence eastwardly, the
present condition of the streets through
which the northern extension would run
made the construction of it so costly as to
render it practically prohibitive at thu.
present time
Just here Commissioner Black remarked
TO SIR Wilson that if his road would spend
the money necessary for the construction
OF the extension the Commissioners would
Undertake to have the owners of the land
ccnate the required right of way Com
missioner Black also intimated that il
looked as If the road does not care to 90 TO
me expense of making the necessary cut
ting and filling
Mr. Wilson explained that as soon as the
streets are opened and graded the road
VIII make such an extension He then
stated that from the present terminus of
pany stands ready to at once go to nth
street and Piney Branch road
commissioner Black informed him how
ever that the Commissioners are not in
favor OF any more butt ends of railroads
More complaints have been made IN tho
commissioners, he said, than the railroads
nave any idea of, and the roads would
PROBABLY soon hear from the Commission
s sa IN the matter, especially as to the park
ing of cars on streets. Commissioner Black
also stated that while the Commissioners
are very DESTROYS Of giving the people of
the District increased street railroad facili-
.es, YET they are not in favor Of unneces-
sar1ly increasing the tracks The Commits
sioners, Captain Black further stated. are
IN favor of granting the loop asked for nv
the Capital Traction Company, and they
see no good reason why. if the Metropolitan
road extends its line out in that direction
both roads shall not use the proposed loon
Opposed to Joint Occupation.
The three representatives of the Metro
poiitan company expressed themselves as
being stoutly opposed to a joint occupation
OF the loop on Howard avenue, in Mt.
Pleasant. saying that such a thing is Ut
terly impractioable
Commissioner Black however. remarked
That he could see no real difficulty in the
matter. In fact, he said it was nothing
more than a selfish desire of one road to
exclude the other
10 That Mr. Coleman replied that in his
opinion there is no necessity for the loon
on the part of the Capital Traction Com
pany as it could make loop by running
i9to us car house at 18th and Park streets
he, therefore, believed that the CAPITAL
traction Company desires the loop simplv
10 prevent the Metropolitan road from ex-
tending its lines through the section.
Inc commissioners explained that they
VIII recommend no exclusive privileges in
the matter for either road-nothing which
would prevent the proposed extension of
either company. But whatever extensions
are made should be permanent and in that
connection Commissioner Black suggested
that instead of extending the Metropoli-
tan line out 18th street, New Jersey ave
nue., as it will be extended. probably this
summer. should be utilized for the pur-
pose. If that avenue were opened there
would, in his opinion, be no question as
to the advisability of that thoroughfare
Mr. Ballinger's Views.
The suggestion did not seem to meet the
approval of the Metropolitan people, and
then Mr.. Ballinger was permitted to ad-
dress the Commissioners. He explained
that he merely desired to say that the
people of Mt. Pleasant and Columbia
Heights desire that both roads shall make
their proposed extensions. The people want
the extensions made not for the good OF
either line, but for their own good alone
II both roads can use the proposed loop
then the people of the section hoped the
Commissioners will say that they must so
use il. The people also want the extern
sions made now, and Mr.. Ballnger thought
that 1t would be unwise to give I'D the
18th street route for what he feared is
a problematical one out New Jersey ave-
nue. extended. He referred to the written
offer OF the owners of the Mattingly tract
to donate a street to the District running
from Lydecker avenue on the east to How
ard avenue on the west, and he suggested
that by accepting that donation the Dis
trict will be saved some day thousands OF
dollars, and an immediate extension of
the Metropolitan line will be made posi-
Bile. He could say that the people will op-
pose any butt-end roads, and he felt that
they are as one in the matter of the pro-
posed extensions.
The matter was further discussed but
without any conclusion being reached
the hearing being adjourned until IL O'Clock
tomorrow morning, when the board of
Commissioners may be augmented by the
presence Of Commissioner Ross