Evening star., 1898-02-11
BELT LINE CLAIMS
An Agreement Reached in Regard to
the Employees Pay.
CERTIFIED CHECK and THE CONDITIONS
Removing an Obstacle in the Way
of the lexington Bill.
COURT AND NGRE S

An agreement was signed today by Mr..
p. ]. Ryan. the attorney representing the
employees of the Belt railroad, who have
claims against that road for wages due
and for the deposits which have not been
returned to them, and representatives of
the bondholders of the road by which, it
is believed, that just provision has been
made for the claims of the men, and this
objection made against granting further
legislation for that road and the lexington
has been removed.
1t will be recalled that some days ago
the subcommittee of the House District
committee refused to consider the bill ask
ing for the consolidation OF the lexington
Street Railroad with the allied lines in
this city until some provision had been
made for the claims of the employees of the
Belt road. a number of difficulties stood in
the way of the adjustment of this question
as pointed out in The Star a few days ago.
but after repeated conferences between
Mr.. Ryan. who has represented the men
In the court proceedings, and who also
brought their case to the attention of MEM
bers of Congress and representatives of the
bondholders, q conclusion was reached
which, as stated above, is believed will be
satisfactory to all parties concerned.
The Agreement.
The terms of this agreement are as fol-
lows: A certified check for s5,OOO which
represents the amount due the men for
wsges and for the deposits which they made
when they entered the employ of the COM
pany, has been placed in the hands of Mr.
r. Ross Perry. who was selected by both
parties, and who. under certain condi-
tons. Is authorized to cash the check and
pay the money to the men.
In the first place, it is agreed that the
court viii be asked 10 issue receivers GER
tflcateS for this amount, which can be i'm
mediately cashed and the money paid over
to the men The receiver of the road as
well as the counsel of the bondholders are
to unite in making this request.
III for any reason the court denies this
request and refuses to issue the certificate,
then it is agreed that when a decree is
granted for the sale of the road the court
Will be asked to issue an order to author
ize the payment of these claims from the
proceeds of the road. In other words the
court will be asked to prefer these claims
over those of any others, even the bonds,
which are now held against the road.
If, again, the court declines to grant such
an order. then under the conditions OF the
agreement the custodian of the certified
check is instructed to cash the check and
pay the money over to the men. On the
other hand. ii is stipulated that If the legis-
lation which is now pending, asking for the
consolidation of these railroads, is not
enacted by Congress. then the custodian of
the check is TO return 1t to the representa-
tive of the hondholders
1t is stated that under this agreemen. the
men still retain all their rights to have the
case adtudicated by the Court of Appeals,
where it is now pending. 1t is further
claimed that instead of giving up any
rights by this agreement, the men gain
nav rights.
AS will perhaps be recalled, the pending
bill provides for the consolidation of the
Belt, the lexington. the Washngton-Ma-
iyland and that section of the Columbia
line to Lakeland. Md, and that the COM
p&ny thus formed will be known as the
City and Urban Railroad Company.
1t is the purpose of those who are now in
control of these properties, has been
previously stated. to at once equip the road
lying outside of the bounds of the District.
SO that il can he operated at an early date
to make improvements or the portions of
city ard TO equip the present lexington
road within the city limits with the under
ground electric system.
VIII Not INCLUDE the Belt.
1t IS expected when the bill is reported
from the committee that the reference in
it to the Belt will be stricken out, and that
1t viii contain provision which will per-
nit the purchasers of that road in the
event the court directs its sale, an action
of this character being now pending in
the Court of Appeals of the District to
own ana operate the road as a corpora
ton instead of as individuals. 1t Is claimed
that legislation of this sort Is necessary
in order to make 1t possible for any pur-
chaser except a corporation to become the
owner of the road and to operate II as a
corporation
The Capital Traction under its charter
has the right to purchase any intersecting
read and TO issue stock in payment but
IL is stated that 1t IS the only railroad cor
IoratiCn in this city which has such a
right 1t is not the intention of the Capital
Traction Company, so It is claimed to
buy this road, and 1t is believed the pur-
cfasers will be individuals, possibly the
bondhoiders. and in such an event il is
desirable that they De invested with the
power to act as corporation, and as stat
ed above, unless such power is specifically
granted they would be Obliged to own and
run this property as individuals and not
as corporation.
Proposed improvements.
1t is stated by Mr.. o. T. Crosby. who
represents the owners of the lexington
and allied street railroad properties in this
city, that ii is the purpose as soon as Con-
gress authorizes the consolidation of these
properties I" at once enter upon the actual
work OF equipping the road, over which
cars will be run from the Treasury De-
partment. at 18th and G. streets east to
lexington, thence to Brookiand out along
Rhode Island avenue extended to the Dis
trtct line, and thence to Lakeland, Nd.