Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-13
Work Of Eauipping 18th Street Line
to Begin Monday.
LAST OF TIE HORSE CAR RAILWAYS
Progress of Improvements Through
out the New System.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR s

Monday morning next a force Of men,
under the direction of Mr.. Edward Saxton.
the railroad contractor, will swarm over
the line of the 18th street railway and be-
gin the work Of putting down the under
ground electric system. 1t was the inten-
tion of those who control this property to
begin this improvement several months
ago, but, owing to the delay in getting the
rails, 1t was not possible before to make a
start in this important undertaking.
Now, however, the rails have begun to
arrive in the city and are being placed
along the line. and. as the greatest part of
the other material needed is on hand, 1t is
the expectation of Mr. Saxton that he will
be able to push the work along rapidly. 1t
is the purpose to begin putting in the new
system at the northern end of the line,
namely, 18th street and Florida avenue,
and continue down 18th street and thence,
via the Anacostia road, to what is known
as the Navy Yard bridge
The section of the line which extends from
Florida avenue to the center of the city Is
a portion of what was formerly known as
the Belt railway. When this property was
sold by the foreclosure of the bondholders
it was purchased by the present owners,
and then, to facilitate its handling, 1t was
sold again to the Anacostia and Potomac
River road. which was, and Is. controlled by
the same persons. The united system is
now known as the Anacostia and Potomac
River Railway Company. and belongs to the
system Of roads which Is owned and OPP
Grated by the Washington Traction and
Electric Company.
It Is not known exactly when the work
Of re-equipping this road will be COM
pleted, as there are a good many things
which may arise to delay the active prose-
cution of the undertaking. 1t is probable.
however. that by the first of the year, If
everything we'll the line will he 70
rated by the new system.
Progress on Brixhtwood Road.
Such progress has been made In equip
ping the Brightwood railroad that 1t Is ex-
pected 1t will be ready for use by the first
of the coming month, and in that event the
Brishtwood cars will be run into the city
over the 9th street line The work of con-
strUcting line from Bethesda Park to
Rockville, Md. by the same company that
liz making the improvements above re
ferred to is gong on 50 rapidly that it Is
expected cars can be run from the center
of the city out to the TenleytoUn road and
then to Rockville by the first of December.
The Great Falls railroad is being equipped
with a double track, and considerable pro-
gress has been made.
1t is the expectation that when what Is
known as the 18th street line of the Ana
costa road is equipped with the new motive
power attention will be turned toward that
other section of the road which passes by
way of 18th street through the southwest
ern section of the city and along Water
street This portion of the line will be fin
ished in the same style as that of the other
roads within the city limits controlled by
this company. AS rapidly as possible the
other sections of the Anacostia Railroad
Company will be equipped in a similar
fashion.
Recently two of the men who have large
holdings of the securities OF the Washing
ton Traction and Electric Company, have
been placed on the board Of directors.
These are Mr.. Scott Of Wilmington, Del,
and Mr.. Haywood of Baltimore, Nd. 1t Is
the intention at an early date to still fur
Their increase the number OF directors OF
this company. and 1t Is the expectation to
have the new members chosen from those
in New York, who are interested In the
company and also select some who are
residents of this city.
Owing to the fact that several Of those
who are most prominently Identified with
this enterprise have, been out Of the coun-
try for some time. various details which
would tend to affect the organization of
the company have been deferred until their
return. Mr.. Frederick c. Stevens is ex-
pected to arrive from Europe on Sundays
He will probably go first to his country
place in Attica, N. Y, before coming to
this city. Mr.. H. D. Mirick, who Is the
treasurer of the Traction Company, has re-
turned to the city from his vacation. 1t
is not expected that Mr.. o. T. Crosby, who
Is also in Europe, will return to this coun-
try for some time yet. as 1t Is understood
he has planned to remain in Paris the
coming winter.