Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-08
RAIL WAYS Def
Attempt Of Great Falls Company to
Occupy Aqueduct Bridge.
LAYlNGOF TRACKS STOPPED BY POLICE
Foreman on the Work Arrested and
Taken to Station.
IN POLICE COURT

An unsuccessful attempt was made this
morning by the management of the Wash
ington, Alexandria and Falls Church cleo
trio railroad to lay tracks on the Aque-
duct bridge, one lone policeman being the
sole obstruction to the scheme. AS a re-
suit Of the attempt one man was arrested
and locked up at the Georgetown police
station on two charges, while it is quite
likely that another warrant will be sworn
out today for the superintendent and gen.
eral manager of the road, charging him
with the same offenses.
The railroad has been making a gallant
fight for permission to cross the bridge to
accommodate its patrons. For nearly
three years-in fact, ever since the road
was built-the plan has been to cross the
bridge and make connections in George
town. At first the Commissioners were
not favorable to the plan, but they changed
their minds ultimately, and recommended
purpose of the car lines. after the experdi-
ture of considerable money in strengthen
ing the structure to accommodate the adj
ditional weight.
According to the recommendation of the
board of Commissioners. the District was
to pay for the improvement, and charge a
toll for the cars crossing the structure
Congress did not take any action in the
was reached, whereby, 1t Is understood, the
railroad could use the structure, provided
the company would stand the expense of
widening the bridge ten feet for it's entire
length.
The COmpany's Claim.
This was something the railroad authori-
ties did not care to undertake. They claim
ed that the bridge was wide enough for
the tracks, and that the scheme proposed
would be only an increased outlay of
money without compensating advantages.
The bridge, the company claimed was
wider than the P street bridge over Rock
creek. which is used by the Metropolitan
railroad with a double track and this fact
was cited as precedent for the use CT the
Aqueduct bridge.
The proposed arrangements for crossing
the bridge with the consent of the War
department not meeting approval, the COM
pany decided to go ahead on It's own ac-
cord. Plans were laid for the proposed
venture. and everything was made ready
Tor rapid work to begin early last night.
A Star reporter secured information of the
proposed move and shortly before midnight
made tour of observation to discover If
possible whether or not preparations were
being made for the work. bu. found none
The place was exceedingly quiet, unusually
so for the rather lively town No rails
could be seen, nor anything else which
would serve to disclose the oompany's pro-
gram. The large car barn was locked and
terror could be seen. Outside of the reg
ular cars the only rolling stock in view
was a freight car, which was empty,
standing almost directly In front of the car
shed.
The Police Advised.
The police. it is said, had also secured
wind Of the proposed move, and made prep
arations to check the same before any
Roadway was made. The infornfa ton was
received some days ago by the officials,
and every night for the past four or five
days a man has been detailed for duty on
the bridge alone, to stop the work of con-
struction should any he attempted. Last
evening Policeman II. G. Housed was de-
tailed for the duty. When he started out
ON the bridge at midnight everything was
perfectly quiet, but shortly before l o'clock
Mr. X ii. Phillips, the superintendent ard
general manager of the road, was seen
crossing the structure. and then the no
liceman became more vigilant.
NO move was made by the railroad peo-
pie for fully an hour, but shortly before 9
o'clock there were signs of activity. Men
appeared on the scene with remarkable
suddenneSs and there was plenty of bus
tie. Rails were secured from some hiding
place, and freight car was loaded with
timber and iron beams, and the whole lot
was moved toward the bridge.
There were about a dozen Iaborers with
a number of spectators and without loss
of time the preliminaries were begun
Inc east footWay of the bridge was chosen
as the spot for the continuation of the
tracks of the company, the regular lire
running Immediately up to the edge of the
bridge al this point. The heavy stone cop
ing at the southeast end was moved and
lifted out Of place, while force of labor
ers attacked the footwalk adjoining and
were prying 1t up with vim when the
policeman reached the scene. Dressed in
citizens clothes he was rot at first recog-
nized, being regarded as a spectator.
MIR. Phillips Evades Arrest.
Policeman Housed Immediately stopped
the work and attempted to capture Mr..
Phillips, who was standing IN Virginia d.
recting the work. So long as the man re-
manned on that soil he could not be touch
ed, but, determined not to be baffied, Chas.
Smith, the white foreman of the gang of
laborers, was placed under arrest and sent
to the station house, where he arrived at
2:lO this morning. AS soon as the foreman
was arrested the workmen under him all
skipped over into Virginia to escapa like
fate. Fearing that the work might con-
tinue during his absence Policeman Housed
telephoned the station house. and several
OF the men on reserve were routed out of
their beds and stationed at the scene to
keep watch during the night
seeing That he could not possibly cen
tlnue the work. Mr.. Phillips commenced to
make negotiations Cor permission to go to
his home in Georgetown and sleep He
wanted the police to give him guarantee
that they would not arrest him, but this
they would not do. He was told that a
warrant would be sworn out for him, and
that he would most likely be arrested
some time today. He seemed satisfied
with this, and walked over the bridge to
Georgetown, and then to his home, He
sent word to the station to inquire what
could be done for Smith. The collateral
was fixed at $40 in each case, and $50 was
DEPOSITED fOr his release and appearance
in Police Court this morning.
IL RGvistOns of the Law.
Foreman Smith, who gave his age as
fftysnine. was held under a portion of sec
ton, 80, article 4, of the regulations, which
reads asJfol1ows:
mo person shall propel any boat, scow
or vessel against any pier, the substructure
or superstructure of any District bridge
nor attach any rope or line thereto, nor
battle nor swim from the structure or APP
proaches thereon. nor go nor be upon the
same for any purpose except to use the
structure as a public thoroughfare in the
usual manner provided therefor"
The second charge was included in Sec
ton 2. article XIV. Of the police regulations.
which reads:
mo person SHALL without lawful permit
destroy. cut or injure the footway or road
way OF any street, avenue or other public
place"
Makes Final Appeal.