Evening star., 1899-01-02

much the same thing with the title insur
ance companies, and it is expected that
early in the year two of the largest of these
companies will be merged into one corpora
ton.
There was also a good deal said about a
proposed consolidation of the gas and the
electrlc hghtinS companies. but nothing
vas done. change was made in the
presidency of the United .,tates Electric
Lighting Company. and that company also
put INTO operation its new plant. A large
block of the stock of the Washington Gas
Company was purchased, it was announced
in the interests of large capitalists with
the alleged view of controlling the COM
pany, and while there continued to be a
demand Tor the stock at higher prices than
usual, the promised developments have not
occurred.
A foothold was made in this city by
large Ice company, which secured the con-
troll of the Hygienic Ice COMPANY and it
was stated that it was the intention to Sc
cure also the control of the other ice COM
materiaiized. Propositions were made to
various milk dealers on behalf. it was al
legged, of New York capitalists fer the uur-
chase OF their bus ness. in order, it was
stated, to obtain the control of the milk
business at the city, but that also may be
put down as another of the uDacconpIished
deeuS OF 1898. An association was formed
OF citizens for the purpose of resisting the
coliecuon by the telephone comOanv Of the
existing rates, and there We're also agree
!hehiS by various classes of customers not
tlIt service at the existing
rates. In the meantime Congress too. ac-
non, llXng the rates which should be maid
lor the service. The company refused tn
comply with the law on the ground that il
was uhconStltutio1al. Suits were instituted
Dy the subscribers association with the re
SUIT that an injunction was granted asains,
ihe company, testimony now being taken
IN the cases. Testimony was also taken b,,
" cohSresSloAal committee
Tax ASscssments
An inquiry was made by the uousa Ms
trict committee into the system of tax as
sess1nent in the District, and representa
tVes of the board of trade We're heard on
the subject. The District Commissioners
directed the assessors to place on the
assessment list the stock of tbe vario,,s
national banks of the city, and if is an
nounced to be the intention of the banks
TO nave the question of the right to lew
Such a tax tested in the courts
Steam Railroads.
There were no practical changes in the
complexion of the local steam railroad prob
lem during the year. The question of the
deadly grade crossings continued to be dis
cussed, and the demand for their eradica-
ton grew stronger and more vigorous. An
agreement for their abolition was poDuIar-
~ supposed to have been reached last
january, and there was a conference be
tween the Baltimore and Ohio officials and
Engineer Commissioner Black in March.
Where another agreement was entered into
Dut none of these agreements have as Vet
materIal1zed In February suit was brought
against the Baltimore and Ohio road Tor
the Illegal occupancy of reservation No
2ol, and III September the company's an
swer was fied. The case is still pending
Early III November Mrs. Florence George
and Miss Katie McGee were instantly killed
on the baltimore and Ohio railroad near
Langdon, u. G., by fast express from
baltimore. The coroner's jury held the
company biameless. The Pennsylvania
Railroad Company introduced its cab serv-
zee N Washington during October.
street Raiiroads.
Activity in street railway circles has been
marked during the year. There was a re-
vlval of the talk of d general street rail-
road consolidation, but this had not ma
terializcd up to the close of the year Per
haps the feature of the events of the year
in this particular was the bringing of the
lexington and soldiers Home railroad and
the Washington and Maryland railroad, the
latter the connecting line running into
Maryland. into one company known as the
City and Suburban. Subsequently the Belt
Line was sold by order of the court the
purchasers being understood to be those
Interested in the City and Suburban. and
a controlling interest in the bonds of the
Anacostia railroad was also sold to the
same capitalists or their representatives.
The sale of the road has been ordered, and
il is believed the underground electric Sys-
ten now being introduced on the Ecking-
ton line will be also extended to the Belt
and AnacoStia properties.
Congress having granted to the Columbia
railway the right to build an extension
along the Bennirg road to the east
arrangements have been made for the
building Of this extension and also for
changing the motive power the present
line from the cable to the underground
electric system.
Many measures are pending IN Congress
which provide for the extension of the lines
of the various street railroad companies
and are being urged with considerable
activity, this being true of the bills pro-
vidng for the extension of the Metrouoi-
tan into Mt. Pleasant
The Capital Traction Company during the
year completely equipped its lines with the
underground electric system III place of the
cable.
The East Washington Heights Traction
Company and the University Heights Rail-
road Company were both chartered by Con-
gress and the companies organized by the
election of officers, but work Of con-
stTuctiOn has been done on Cithers
In early summer policemen were sta
toned at the various crossings where rapid
transit roads interSeCt.
The controversy between the BrfghtwOod
and Metropolitan Companies over trackagc
arrangements WAS taken into court and
still is pending there.
j
sentativcs of the syndicate above mention
ed purchased the Capital railway, which
extends from the navy yard gate to Con-
eress Heights. The buyers We're Mr.. +. G.
Stevens and Nj. o. +. Crosby. and the pur-
chase gives these gentlemen and their assO-
ciatcs the ownership of all the street rail
roads within the corporate limits of Wash
mgton except the Capital Traction and the
Metropolitan companies.
Iuter-t rbun Railroads.
The promoters and management of the
intcr-urban railroads have shown consider
able activity during the year. The Wash
ington, W oodsidc and Forest Glen railroad,
which is a continuation IF the Brghtwood
electric road, extended its line from the
terminus of the latter road near Silver
Spring to Forest Glen, Md. and inaugural
Cd its regular operation. The Chesapeake
Beach railroad was completed and opera
uons commenced upon it as far Upper
Marlboro, Md. while work on the re-
nlaiuIer of the line to the shores of CheSa-
pcake hay has been and is at present beng
vigorously prosecuted.
In March favorable report was made in
the House from the District committee to
Incorporate the Washington and University
Railroad Company. which is designed to
from point on Connecticut avenue