The times., 1899-01-18

street railway world. Contenulng idI-
uons are arraying themselves for the
strife for supremacy. A fight is on be-
tween the two great trunk lines controlled
by the Metropolitan and Capital Traction
companies on the one side and the vaIlCuz
suburban and semi-urban lines on the
other The suburban magnates have
tossed the gauntlet into the arena. and Jns
city lines have accepted the chal enge iof
a battle 10 the death for the railroad ST.
premacy of Washington.
The first evidence of the approaching
tight was manifested at the District Dui-a-
ing yesterday afternoon, where seNera
hearings were granted to various local
railroad magnates concerning several
small but important extensions and
changes in suburban lines. All the lead
ing railroad men Of the city were present
including o. r Crosby, whose ad"ent in
local street railway circles has been muCh
like the appearance of meteor III d
serene sky MIR. Crosby is president of
five different systems, which, II i asserted
he will eventually consolidate, giNlnG
Washington something she has never yet
had-through city and suburban lines,
cross-town and aroIndtown lines
system and modern appliances.
George 7. Dunlop, president Of the pow
erful Capital Traction Company, the plo-
neer street car line in the National Capl-
tai, was present and joined in several
hand to hand bouts with President eros
nv over the various points at issue. arsu-
ing his company's side of the various
phases of the question of reclprcCll track
age ARRANGEMENT with Zest ana deter
miuation.
The METROPOLITAN Railroad. which in
augurated the magnificent underground
system which has apparently caught the
fancy of the other competing railways, was
well represented. Attorney Nathaniel wal
sen argued that companys side of the
points involved.
The Brightwood Railway Company
which has long been endeavoring to fur
nfsh the residents of Takoma Park
Brightweod. Silver Spring, and Petworth
with through rapid transit to the business
centre Of the city. was represented by
C. p. williams the president of the road.
In addition TO the railroad officials nu-
uerous citizens were present and several
of the number Joined in the general dis
cussion.
The Hearing Yesterday.
The hearing yesterday was granted by
the Commissioners on House bills ll4ii
and ll445. The former bill was intro
duced in the House by Representative Cur
tis on January 8, and authorizes the Belt
Railway Company TO construct an under
ground electric road, verginS from the
old Belt Line at the corner OF Eleventh
and T Streets northwest. traversing I
Street TO Eighth Street. thence north on
Eighth Street to Florida Avenue. and
eastward on Florida Avenue TO Seventh
Street. where a junction will be formed
with the Brightwood company.
Where the route Of this short line coin
cides with the route Of any other line both
companies shall use the same tracks. upon
such fair and equal terms as may DC
agreed upon by them. In the event OF the
rival companies failing TO agree on equal
terms either company may petition The
Supreme Court Of The District to heal
and determine the matter in due form OF
law. This proposed short line if agreed
upon Will coincide with that portion o
the routes of the Metropolitan and Capita
Traction companies which traverses Flori
da Avenue from Seventh to Ninth Streets
The object Of the bill is to connect th'
Brightwood system and the Belt system
The latter is soon to be equipped viii
the underground electric system. Thi
Will furnish the people living alou;
through rapid transit line to the centr'
of the city.
The first person heard on this bill wa
w 7 s. Curtis who. as a member of tn
T Street delegation. consisting of resident
Of that street. opposed that portion Of tn
bill which provided for the occupation 0
T and Eighth Streets. He suggested tina
the new connecting link be a straight on
running along [ Street and Florida Ave
nue. from Eleventh Street 10 Sevent,
Street.
President Dunlop. of the Capital Trac
tion Company. said he desired TO eXpres
his opposition 10 any further congestion @
Street by permitting other lines to oper
ate cars on the short stretch between Sev
enth and Ninth Streets
Mr.. DunIop's Views.
You know" he said, addressing III
Commissioners, how congested that poir
is now. IL has been made all the more 5
by the Metropolitan Company running il
cars through L Street 10 Seventh Stree
There are nog many accidents and muc
delay Of traffic. To avoid this congestiC
at Seventh Street and Florida Avenue II
company will in March rebuild the [ Sire
line. The contracts are already let ar
The work will be completed within thirt
days Cars will then be run from the a
senal TO the Rock Creek Bridge. on Coz
necticut Avenue extended. without chanl
Of passengers. The loop at Seventh Sire
will then be done away with. That wi
give US a three minute schedule and
busy hours a two-ninute schedule. A
suming that the Metropolitan viii opera
cars on the same schedule, ears will pa!
along [ Street between Ninth aud Seyent
Streets every fifteen seconds. Let anoth,
line in on Street and YOU will ha'
trains following oftener than that. The
viii certainly cause congestion. What a
we TO do? Is the Capital Traction TO st'
its ears at Seventh Street and the Metr
politan Company TO halt its trains
Ninth, while the cars OF a third compai
pass over our tracks, / protest against a
lowing any such thing. Were ! to sugge
connecting line / would say let the lil
be made along Grant Avenue"
When President Dunlop had conclud
Nathaniel Wilson assumed the floor in b
half Of the Metropolitan system. He al
opposed the granting OF track facilities
the Belt Line over the Florida Avenue Sc
tion.
There would be congestion. he sa
which would be exceedingly inconvenie
to the public and everyone concerned.
addition 10 the Chevy Chase line OF I
Capital Traction Company and the Ne
ropolitan Line the Seventh Street line W
make third line that will pass alo
Florida Avenue after next March. ThT
lines are enough. There is no need of
fourth"
Al this point Attorney Wilson said II
IL the Belt Line were run over the Flori
Avenue line TO Seventh Street and the
connect with the Brightwood line. the b
Line would stop al Seventh Street As
understood the matter. ..cross-over'' trac
would have TO be built al Seventh Str
and EIprSao avauua ,tbEch ,-n,tId furt