The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-28

decide on which side of the controversy
the public interests are greater
AS to the expense involved, the report
says:
The estimated cost OF the works con-
templated in the bill IS 8. 000. eco 1t is
proposed that the United States and the
District Of Columbia shah pay in equal
proportion the cost of approaches to rail-
road crossings, which is estimated to be
SIS. 600; the United States. and the District
| of Columbia are to pay in equal proportion
on account OF the betterments contem-
plated the sum Of $500, 600 making the
total cost to the public Sl515, 600.
From this should be deducted the value
of the abandoned right of way of the COM
pany, outside of street limits. between
Winthrop Heights and Delaware Avenue,
which land is to be decided to the District
in fee simple, being l21 acres, valued at
SO. 600 per acre, OF s36 800 and 1.6 acres
valued at IS, 125 per acre, or $4,000 aggre-
eating $49, 300, leaving a balance of 81 49,
700.
Division of Expense.
with reference to the proposition of
the Government paying a million and
half dollars toward the project in question,
the company states that this amount is
half the estimated cost of so much of the
plan as relates directly to the abolishing
Of grade crossings; that is the change OF
route and elevation Of tracks, and they re-
quest the Government to pay this proper
ton of the proposed work. To this very
necessary work they state that they are
adding $1,000, geo more in betterments,
which will all be to the benefit of the pub
lie, and from the estimates submitted to
them the Commissioners have reason TO
believe that the amounts have not been
overstated.
objection has been raised by a few
parties in the District to this payment on
the ground that the company needs new
terminal facilities, which 1t must obtain
for the transaction Of its business. But
the company states, and the Commission
ers have reason to believe, that it now
owns sufficient ground to give it all the
terminal facilities it would need for fifty
years to come with tracks on grade at an
expenditure Of not more than half d mil
lion dollars, and that the four or FIVE mil
lions required TO do the work called for by
the bill is mainly for the improve ment
and advantage OF the District and city.
The company claims that under con-
tracts and agreements made by said COM
pany and the municipal authorities. author !
lied by acts Of Congress under the terms
Of which the depot was removed from its |
it, and its tracks were confined to that part |
of the city east Of New Jersey Avenue and |
north of c Street, the right TO occupy its |
present site and trackc was authorized and |
confirmed until 1910. The contract refer
red to is dated June 10, 1850 and the |
ordinances authorizing and confiT ling it |
are dated respectively, May 81. 1850, and |
January II, 1861
THE Commissioners believe. after ex- |
an, ie
merit in the claim Of the company, and |
that should II not be willing TO abandon |
the present routes and elevate its road il |
could not be compelled to do so even by |
Congress prior to 1910 The company |
states quite frankly that under the cir |
cumstances they expect assistance in |
carrying out so much OF the plan as re- |
lates directly to changing their routes. |
elevating their tracks. and removing them |
from grade for the purpose Of improving |
the city and .,r the convenience Of street |
traffic
considering the advantages which will |
be derived by said city and public general |
ly. and the vastly greater expense proposed |
to be incurred by the company than what |
could be required il II stood upon its
strictly legal rights under the terms OF the
contract above referred to. and consider
ing also that railways in other cities Of
the country have been aided by the city or
State, or both. in the work Of abolishins
grade crossings. the Commissioners feel |
that the request of the company is equit-
able and not immoderate.
The manner In which payments are to
be made is considered very reasonable 4
sinking fund is to be established, and the
million and half dollars is TO be paid only
upon presentation Of certificate from the
Commissioners that the work required by
. ne bill has been satisfactorily executed.
1T is believed that the value of the ben
efits and improvements resulting from the