Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-15
PLANS FOR FERRY LINE
COLUMBIA TO BE REPLACED AT
EARLY DATE
If Arrangements Begun Can Be Carried
out-The Efforts to Charter
Vessel. a

II the plans OF those interested in the
ferry with Alexandria do not miscarry the
people and merchants Of that city will have
some relief within the next four or i've
days from the bad conditions for the han
ding Of freight and passengers by water
between this city and Alexandria. caused
by the burning of the Columbia as both thu
old company and the new ferry company.
which was organized about two weeks ago,
are working on the problem.
The managers of the ferry line between
this city and Alexandria who controlled
the steamer Columbia are making active
efforts to secure a boat to take the place
OF the burned steamer. Mr.. Bert c. Faul-
haber, who represents the interests in New
York. was in the city this morning. and
sent telegram to parties In Philadelphia
proffering to charter a steamer which will
be able to handle all the ferry business
except the loaded teams. II this boat can
be secured she will be brought here at
once and put on the route.
Mr.. Faulhaber states that II is the inten-
ton of the owners of the line to raise the
Columbia as soon as possible, and IL her
hull is In the good condition IL is generally
thought to be she will be rebuilt II not
new steamers will be constructed, but In
the meantime the line will be kept in opera
ton with the best boats obtainable at this
time.
Until the insurance adjusters view the
Columbia, as she lies sunken in her dock.
nothing can be done toward raising her.
The appraisers are expected here .oon.
1t will be day or two before anything
definite will be known of the boat the old
company will get even IL 1t can charter tho
vessel 1t is after
Proposed New Line.
The Washington and Alexandria Steam
Ferry COnpanV 10
proposes to start the new ferry line to
Alexandria, is also figuring on putting
single-end boat on the route until the new
double-end boats can be built. Messrs.
John Callahan, Levi Woodbury., Clarence
F. Norment and Daniel Frazier, the COM
mittee Of the incorporators OF the new line,
held a meeting yesterday afternoon at the
Central National Bank and II was decided
to procure a steamer to be put on the line
at once. After the meeting Mr.. Callahan
wired the owners of the steamer Margaret
at Norfolk requesting terms for a ninety
day charter for the boat. This morning
he received a reply that the steamer was
not for charter. He is now looking else
where for a suitable boat, and hopes to
find one either at Philadelphia New
York
While these boats can handle the pas
senger travel and much of the freight. 1t
is feared the heavy loaded wagons which
daily came from Alexandria to this city Will
be without transportation facilities for sew
eral months to come. or until the new
double-end boats can be completed. When
the Belle Haven was taken from the ferry
route about three months ago efforts were
| made to find double-end ferry boat for
the route. but without success. all the boats
examined being regarded as unfit for the
service.
Light wagons and buggies may be ham
died If the boats secured for the route have
an open bow. with no deck over them, but
it would be almost impossible TO handle the
heavier vehicles.
Temporary Relief.
Until something definite is done Capt. E.
S. Randall, manager of the Randall limo,
will give what relief he can to the mer-
chants of Alexandria by making three
round trips each day with the steamer Es-
telle Randall. This steamer is in the mail
route to Glymont and her trips on the ferry
have to be made before she leaves on her
regular trip in the morning and after she
returns In the afternoon. To accommodate
"a no arlt sfa