Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-21
EXTENSION OF TRACKS
PLAN OF LOCAL RAILWAY AND
ELECTRIC COMPANY.
Mr.. n. W. Fuller's Answer to Objec-
tons Filed-Commissione to
Give Hearing.

Mr.. II. W. Fuller, general manager of the
Washington Railway and Electric Company,
has forwarded to the District Commission
ers a letter relative to the extension of the
tracks of the Columbia railway on land
north of the company's right of way on the
Benning road.
A public hearing on the matter will be
given by the Commissioners next Monday.
The letter from Mr.. Fuller is in reply to
certain objections recently entered by Mr..
Nathaniel Wilson to the occupation by the
railway of the right of way. The city solic-
tor to whom the matter was referred ex-
pressed the opinion that the Commissioners
have authority to grant permit for the
work proposed to be done by the company
Mr. Wilson suggested the following ques-
tons for discussion at the hearing: Who
owns the land that is to be occupied" by
whom and for what purpose the pro-
posed tracks and overhead structure to be
used?" Does the plan Of street extension
pertaining to that locality to be preserved
and protected, is it wholly to be disre
garGed?"
Mr.. Fuller's Response.
In his letter Mr.. Fuller says: without
stopping to inquire what may be Mr.. Will
sons interest in the premises and whether
he appears in his own behalf or in rep
L
That it Is true that neither the Columbia
Railway Company nor the Washington
Railway and Electric Company owns the
lands referred to. but the Washington Rail-
way and Electric Company under agree
ments with the owners Of the lands, has
acquired the right to use and occupy the
. same for the purpose specified.
TO the best of our information and
knowledge, neither Mr.. Wilson nor any per-
son whom he may represent, either owns
the lands or has any interest therein; and
in the absence cf objection the part Of
the owners it would seem that no third per-
son would have any right to object to any
legitimate use intended to be made thereof
The right of the company to acquire and
hold land for such purposes is specifically
granted by section of the act of June 13,
1898.
The proposed tracks and overhead struc-
ture are intended to be used by the Wash
ingtOn Railway and Electric Company Co
lumbia Railway Company for purposes in
cident to the proper conduct of its bushes
as a railway carrier under the provisions
OF the act of Congress referred to.
Under the authority. conferred by sec
ton of the act the Washington Railway
and Electric Company has contracted with
the CheSa peake Beach Railway Company
oils Electric Railway Company for the
joint use of lines of railway in said act
specifically described. and the increased
business expected to result from such Joint
makes the increased terminal ia cilities
now applied for not only desirable but
necessary.
As to Extensions.
ut is not our purpose to disregard or in
terfere with the plan of street extensions
pertaining TO the locality in question. 1t is
not known that any proceedings for the
condemnation of streets through the lands
referred to are pending or are Immediately
contemplated.
The writer quotes from. the act of Con-
gress of June IS, 1895 which, he says,
bears upon this point, and then goes on to
say:
Until the proceedings for the condemna-
ton Of lands for streets through the tract
in question shall actually be begun 1t
would seem that Congress intended that the
mere projection of such streets on the ap-
proved plans of street extensions Should
not operate in any wise to embarrass the
free use and enjoyment of the lands for
building or any other lawful purpose"
Mr.. Fuller states that it is of prime i'm
portanee that action should be taken by
the Commissioners at the earliest pra cti-
cable moment, as the need for the in
creased facilities is pressing.