Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-25
THE AIR MOTOR DISCUSSED
lexington and North. Capitol Association
Takes Up the Theme.
Question of q Pipe Line Contaminated
COmpany-Other Business.

The lexington and North Capitol Citi-
zens' Association met last evening at its
hall, corner of R street and Lincoln
avenue, and discussed number of matters
of general interest. Vice President W. J.
Fowler presided, S. M. Leitzell treasurer,
and w. J. Hughes, secretary, being pres
ent.
New members were elected as follows:
II. W. Burke, So R street; Thomas J. Shea,
II Florida avenue; Joseph D. Coblentz.
North Capitol and Florida avenue: E. P.
Mertz, 10 Quincy street.
The resignation of P. F.. Happ as chair
man of the committee on membership was
received, and w. S. Chase was elected to
his place.
Railway Committees Report.
A. R. Server, chairman of the committee
on railways, made a statement of occur
rences relating to the trial of the air motor
by the lexington and Soldiers Home Rail
way Company during the past month. He
said the committee from the association
which had waited on the Commissioners
had requested that the company should be
required to continue their experiments in
a more comprehensive manner than in the
past and to have these experiments con-
Quoted under the supervision of District
official. The committee was satisfied the
Commissioners would heed the request.
The committee had learned, Mr.. Server
said that the company had few weeks
ago applied for permit to excavate
trenches and put down pipe lines for the
alleged purpose of supplying aid to the
motors at the downtown end of the line,
as they claimed it was necessary to pro-
vide local stations to supply air to the
motors They had beenA asked, he under
stood, to give the Commissioners details
of their plan. in order that they might de-
r,~k,lI 10 70
allow them to proceed with the pipe line.
but the receiver of the company had de-
c1ined to go into details
The Company'si Claim.
The company claimed the right, Mr.. Ser
ven said, under section S:of the act of June
10, 1885, to open trenches and to put down
any underground accessories they wished
whether the Commissioners thought it NEG
ess airy or not, but the Commissioners re-
garded that section as meaning that the
company could put in such a system as
was shown to be essential in operating the
road.
1t was stated during the evening. as the
understanding of the association. that the
company would not ask permission Of the
Commissioners to equip the road, but
would go to Congress and make the excuse
that they had not been able to make such
experiments as were necessary to show
whether the motor was Or was not a sue
cess, because the Commissioners had re-
fused the permission to l3ya pipe line.
The chairman of the committee on streets
was notified of the fact that there were
dangerous holes along the tracks of the
lexington and Soldiers Home Railway
Company, especially at r street. The sec
rotary stated that the Commissioners had
been notified of the facts in the case, and
they in turn had notified the company tc
make repairs, but no attention had been
given to the matter. 1t was decided that
the association should continue to call the
danger until the repairs shall be made.
Changing Names. Of Streets.
Communications were read from Secre-
tary Tindall Of the board of Commission
ers saying the associations request to
have the name of LIE Droit avenue changed
to I'd street could not be complied with
without authority of Congress. Also that
additional street lamps would be placed
on Quincy street between North Capitol
and LIST streets northeast as soon as the
appropriation for the next fiscal year shall
be available.
letter from Superintendent McKensie
of the street sweeping department., in reply
to a communication, was read. He said
he feared the additional street sweeping
asked for could not be granted, as the SER
vice would have to be curtailed at the be-
ginning of the next fiscal year because of
lack of funds.
A subscription was started to supply
funds to purchase a set of flags for the
new engine house at the corner of North
Capitol and Quincy streets A committee
was also authorized to make arrangements
for formal presentation Of the flags to
the engine company as soon as 1t shall be
installed in its quarters.