The Washington times., 1903-05-14
GEORGETOWN EAGER !.
FOR WABASH TO ENTER
Movement on Foot to Hurry Freight
Connection.

There is a movement in Georgetown
among the principal business men who
patronize the railroad for shipping pur-
poses with view to induce the Wabash
Railroad people to use their best ef-
forts TO obtain immediate freight con-
nection with the West End section Of
the District. During the construction
of the new union depot it will be nee
essary 20 destroy a large part OF the
present freight buildings, and the new
depot will be located at such extreme
distance from Georgetown and the west
ern section of the District that West
End merchants will suffer much incon-
venience and loss of time in handling
their commodities.
The Rosslyn freight yard, at the VIr-
ginia end of the Aqueduct Bridge. accom-
modates only the freight shipped over
the Pennsylvania Railroad, and the IA
cilities even for that are very limited.
resulting in much delay in loading and
unloading.
1t is a remarkable fact that there is
probably no other town of Georgetowns
size and Importance without direct
railroad connection. II is the earnest
hope of the merchants here that the
Wabash people Will take immediate
steps to bring their road into town, thus
not only giving direct railroad facili-
ties, but, at the same time. melting
competition as TO freight charges. etc,
which Is always of direct benefit TO
railroad patrons.
The original plan Of the Baltimore and
Ohio to enter Georgetown via tho
trestle that skirts the north bank OF
the Potomac has practically been aban-
doned- The municipal authorities OF the
District, some time ago, upon the re-
quest of citizens, believing that the Bal
timore and Ohio had no intention OF
utilizing the tracks laid on Water Street
by the Elevator, Barge and Dock Com
pany, which road was purchased by the
Baltimore and Ohio. ordered the re-
moval of those tracks. To this the Bal
timore and Ohio replied, through coun-
sci, that the District was without au-
thority 10 force the road to remove
said tracks. as there was nothing in the
charter compelling the railroad to make
use Of said tracks within a specified
time.
The trestle beginning at the Aqueduct
Bridge and running westward is a bar
to the free use of the north bank of
the Potomac and has seriously decreased
property interests. 1t is understood the
Potomac Boat Club was DESTROYS OF To-
eating just west of the bridge, but,
though land was available for their pur-
poses, it was inaccessible from he
river. owing to the existence of this
unused trestle-
The practical consolidation of the Bal
tinore and Ohio with the Pennsylvania
has had a great deal to do with the
abandonment of the Baltimore and
Ohio's desire to enter Georgetown, as
the Baltimore and Ohios extension
would be in direct competition with its
own interests, as now represented in the
Pennsylvania on the other side of he
river. IN other words, it would be COM
peting against itself.
It is thus plainly seen, say the George
town merchants, that competition being
the life of trade the entrance of the
Wabash is decidedly wanted. and would
he of incaIculable benefit to this, the
oldest section, which has. fine river
facilities to further enhance trade in
terests.