Evening star., 1898-03-25
RAIL WAY HEARING
Arguments as to the Proposed Extension Of
the Columbia.
II Granted 1t VIII Connect With the
Chesapcake ROad-The
Gettysburg Line.

The subcommittee on street railways OF
the House District committee today gave a
hearing on the bill providing for the ex-
tension of the Columbia railway east
wardly.
Mr.. Charles Poe of Maryland appeared
before the committee to ask that represen-
tatives of the bondholders of the Washing
ton and Potomac railway, who reside in
Boston, should be heard in opposition to
the bill. He said the Washington and Po-
tomac railway is the successor of The old
Southern Maryland railroad. chartered by
Congress. He said $40OOOO Of bonds have
been issued and about $5OOO0O spent on the
road. The proposed Columbia railway ex-
tension parallels, in part, the route of this
incomplete ed railway line. Mr.. Poe said the
extension would kill the negotiations Low
pending for the completion Of the Wash
ington and Potomac.
Mr.. Wilson's Representations.
Mr.. Nathaniel Wilson, in behalf of the
Columbia Railway Company, explained
the route of the proposed extension, which
has been published heretofore in The Star.
He said it was not proposed to use any
portion of the line of the old Southern
Maryland. He said the latter road was
never operated, never did any act of own
erSh1p ana the right OIL way was Hnally
sold for taxes.
Mr.. Wilson said the Columbia railway
proposes to operate an overhead trolley
lire, four miles in length, to connect with
the Chesapeake Beach railway. He said
the latter road is now being constructed
and will be operated by the three-rail cleo
trio system to furnish quick connection
with Chesapeake bay, twenty-eight miles
from the District line.
Mr.. Otto Mears, on the part of the Chesa-
peake Beach Railway Company, said 1t is
proposed to complete the road by July, and
if the extension is granted to the Colum-
bia railway Immediately the citizens of
Washington will be able to reach Chesa-
peake bay next summer by a short route
for % cents.
DIR. Gordon, representing the residents
of the country through which the road will
pass asked early action upon the bill He
said the residents are anxious for means
of commL nication with the city and are
heartily in favor of the Columbia railway
21 1oject of extension.
The Gettysburg Road.
The report of the House District COM
mittee on the bill authorizing the Wash
icgton and Gettysburg railway TO enter the
District with an electric line amends the
route proposed by the original bill.
The amended route is as follows:
Beginning at the boundary line of the
District Of Columbia al the intersection OF
said boundary lire with 18th street north
east extended, as shown on the proposed
plans of street extensions; thence by dou-
ble track south on 14th street for dis
tsnce of $50 feet; thence in 4 westerly di-
rection to 18th street northeast extended,
as shown on the plans of street extensi ions;
thence south on 18th street to the north
line of Bunker Hill road; thence along the
north side of that road, and wholly outside
the limits thereof, to 18th street. Brook
lend; thence south by single track on 18th
and Duncan streets to Rhode island ave-
nue.: thence in a southwesterly direction
on Rhode Island avenue tc 10th street:
thence north on 10th and Wallace streets
to and across Bunker Hill road to the north
side thereof; thence along that read and
wholly outside thereof to 18th street, con-
necting with the double tracks at that
point.