The evening times., 1898-02-08


The subcommittee on railways or
the House District Committee. gave a
hearing today to those who objected to
or approved the plans Of. extension of
the Capital Traction Company and the
Metropolitan Railway. The committee
room was crowded with railway men
and representatives Of various citizens
associations
Before taking up these, matters spe-
cifically the committee heard from the
lexington and Soldiers Home Rail-
way. Mr.. Crosby, representing that
road, made a statement to the effect
that il was fair that the controversy
between the men and bondholders of
the Belt Line should be stricken from
consideration of legislation for the
lexington road. He did not object to
the form of legislation proposed by the
Odell bill for the lexington road If
the New York law should be applied
he would not Oject He stood ready
to accept anything that was just. He
hoped that something would be done,
and quickly, because there was a risk
of loss of the money he was now put
ting up for the Belt Line. The stock
of the Belt Line was owned by the
Columbia and Maryland Railroad. and
the stockholders were liable for debts,
but in different degrees and hence the
impTacticability of getting them to pay
the debt of $1,000. 1t was not fair to
ask the lexington road to pay that
amount.
MIR. Odell said that he would be un-
willing to vote for the lexington road
bill unless that 5000 were paid
The objections and recommendations
as to the extension of the Capital Trac-
tion Company were taken up. Colonel
Cassell objected to the proposed loop in
the neighbnrhood of the Corcoran Art
Gallery. Mr.. Ballinger did not object
To the loop or any kind of extension.
Mr.. A. A. Wilson did not object. He
said, Anything TO get the railroad"
The loop from the terminus at the
Il. & o. around by the Maltby building
was next considered.
Mr. BabcoCk said his property was
on the loop and he didn't like it but he
wouldn't object, simply because it
would accommodate the public.
A protest was entered by W. L. Cole,
as to the loop in Mt. Pleasant so far as
Park avenue was concerned. He had
no objection to some other street.
Mr. Chaplin Brown said he objected
to the objections. He thought that the
Capital Traction Company should have
the right to make this extension re-
gardless of the rights or plans of other
railroads.
Mr. NJ l. Weller made a brief but
strong argument that the Capital Trac-
tion Company continue its tracks east
on Pennsylvania avenue to the river.
Mr. c. H. Barker. on behalf of the
people east of the river, favored the
measure.
DIR. Hammond. of Thirteenth street,
opposed the Metropolitan road on Thir-
teenth street, and suggested that it
run on Sherman avenue.
Mr.. NJ A Ballinger said that he had
stated that the Assistant Engineer
Commissioner had reported that Sher-
man avenue was impracticable. He
thought that 90 per cent Of the people
affected were in favor of the extension
on Thirteenth street
The chairman said that ii was a most
astonishing statement for reputable
business men to make that Sherman
avenue was not a practicable route.
Mr.. Ballinger said that he was in ia
VOr of both roads having a fair show as
to the loop in Mt. Pleasant.
Mr. w. Fl. Saunders said he would
prefer Sherman avenue. but, failing
that. he would not object to reaching
the Holmead subdivision by Thirteenth
street. He didn't think the objections
urged against Thirteenth street were
valid.
This ended the hearing. so far as the
public is concerned.