Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-09
UNDER DISCUSSION
Proposed Extension Of Metropolitan
r. B. on Seventh Street.
MATTER OF FRACKAGE ARRANGEMENTS
Provisions of Law of 1894 on the
Subject.


One of the topics of conversation in local
street railroad circles today was the ap-
plication made to the District Commission
ers by the Metropolitan Railroad Com
pany for a permit to extend the under
ground system Of it's 9th street line from
9th street to It'll street, and then up the
It'll street road to the old car stables Of the
company.
What gave special interest to what is
apparently purpose on the part of the
company TO complete its 9th street line to
the former terminus is the fact that the
road would then become a connecting road
with the Brightwood Railroad Company.
As is well known, under the law of 1894
the Metropolitan Railroad Company is au-
thorized and required to make trackage
arrangements with connecting roads.
Owing to the fact that tne 9th street lire
has never been completed to it's former
terminus, the Metropolitan is not a con-
meeting line with the Brightwood, and con-
seluently this section of the law could not
be carried out
Effect ON Pending Legislation.
There is now a bill pending in Congress
TO compel the Metropolitan railroad to do
the work which it now proposes to do
voluntarily, and some have gone SO far as
to intimate that the application at this
time for the permit is merely a device to
prevent this legislation. This surmise is
Thought by others to be unjust, and those
who are of this way of thinking are in
clined to take the Metropolitan company
at its word. and to believe that it fully in
tends to build this portion of its road and
comply with the law of 1894
In fact, it was stated today on the street
that Mr.. Samuel l.. Phillips, who was the
former president of the road and a large
ste ckholder, and who is now said to hold
The position of advisory counsel stated
that the Metropolitan company intended
to build this portion Of the road at once.
What President Weaver Says.
Mr.. Robert d. Weaver, the president of
the Metropolitan road, in answer to an in
CURRY from a Star reporter this morning
as to when the work would be begun, said
that IS quickly possible the company
intends to complete the 9th street line. He
said that the company is now getting to-
gether the material, or rather seeing what
material it has on hand, and that it
may be possible to begin the street work
this week, or, at any rate, next week.
When asked If any trackage arrangements
had been made with the Brightwood road,
Mr.. Weaver said the Metropolitan COM
pany is now arranging to build, and after
that was done there would be time to dis
cuss the use of the tracks.
Mr.. Saxton. the contractor. said to a
the material which had been stored in the
company's yard, and trying to find out
whether anything additional was needed,
and that this was being done preparatory
TO starting the actual work of construc-
ton.
Possible Delay Suggested.
1t is said however, even If this section of
the road is built that it may be possible to
delay putting into actual operation any
trackage arrangements between the two
companies by failure to reach an agree
ment The law provides. however, that an
appeal can be taken to the courts, but 1t
is said that this feature of the law will
open the way TO delays, so that the max
ing of an agreement by which people liv-
ing in the suburbs can come over the
Brightwood line and into the heart of the
city without change of cars may be de-
ferred indefinitely. However, it is thought,
even If any such policy is contemplated,
1t will be impossible to prevent much long
er the contamination of a trackage plan
because it is believed to be in line with
the DEVELOPMENT of suburban and urban
street railroads in this District. 1t seems
to be the opinion that 1t is only ques-
ton of a brief period when trackage ar
rangements will be made generally be-
tween the city ana suburban roads.
There VIII He n Choice.
The situation in regard to the Bright
wood road is particularly interesting for
the reason that in short time the CaOi-
tai Traction Company intends to put the
underground system on the It'll street road
and then that read will be practically a
connecting line with the Brightwood and
having the same motive power, trackage
agreement can be made by the two COM
Danies. so that it is thought cars from
the BrightwoOd road will be running over
either the tracks of the Metropolitan or
the Capital Traction road in the near
future, perhaps over both.
1t Is also said that in all probability a
similar agreement will be made between
the Georgetown and Tenleytown road and
me Capital Traction, or perhaps with the
METROPOLITAN 1t may be that SUCH ar
arrangements between all the city and sub
urban roads will be agreed upon before
the time comes, as is confidently expect
ed. for com bnation which will practi-
cally include all the city as well as sub
urban roads When the latter Is accom-
piished then people can travel over any
road in the city and will be carried out
into the country over any connecting road.
as is ROW done in so many other cities