Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-28
A RAILROAD HEARING
Opposition to Great Falls and
Old Dominion Coming In.
GEN. HARRIES OPPOSES
MAKES A STATEMENT IN REGARD
TO CONDITIONS HERE.
Mr.. Ridout's Plea for the Conpany's
Entry Into the Dis
trict.
GEN. HARRIES OPPOSES

Entry Into the Dis
trict.
The hearing by the Senate committee on
the District of Columbia on the bill to give
the Great Falls and Old Dominion Rail-
road Company a right to build a cross
town road was today resumed
Senator Gallinger In opening the hearing
announced that subcommittee would Dc
appointed to take the matter OF cross
town road under consideration.
He read letters from large number OF
citizens for or against the new road. One
petition, signed by 231 residents or prop
erty owners on NJ street. favored the build
ing of the road on that street.
Some Directors.
Mrs. E. ]. soners principal of the Mount
Vernon Seminary, corner of 18th and M
streets, objected to having a railroad on M
street, as 1t would, she was sure, destroy
the usefulness of that institution. The noise
on the 11th street line at this time. she
said, was so great that they were obliged
to keep the windows on the 11th street sloe
of the school closed in the summer time.
Mr.. Maurice Otterbach opposed the build
ing OF the ROAD On IUtH SlTect hoi liioeA'e.
That street, he said, was but thirty-two
feet wide between curbs.
Mr.. William G. Henderson, president OF
the North Capitol and lexington Citizens
Association, said the cruss-tuwn road AZ
far south as NJ or L street would not be
satisfactory Because of that view he OPP
posed the building of that road. The great
need of a cross-town line to accommodate
the northeast section Of the city, he said,
had long been urged. The best route for
49, 1N hNyn nyfn An
Of the w street line of the Capital Traction
Company eastwardly on Florida avenue to
9th street east and down 9Th street to con-
meet with the present tracks OF that COM
pany running to the navy yard and to the
Pennsylvania aveEue bridge.
M. I. Weller Favors the Bill.
Mr. M. l. Weller spoke for the East
Washington Citizens Association In the
absence of Mr.. Thomas W. Smith, who had
been prevented from attending the hear
ing. He said the ''birds of passage" had
been heard in opposition to this bill, the
fashionable people of the northwest. who
are here only during parts of the year. He
spoke for the people who stay here all the
year and are the bulk Of street car patrons.
He wanted to see this new road built AS
real estate expert, he stated. he was
ready to contend that street railroads do
improve property values.
1.-The entire railroad construction Of the
District" he said, according to the eSti-
mate of an expert, could be duplicated for
IS, 600 600, so that all the stock and bond
valuations above that are mere wind and
water
Mr. Howard Boyd chairman Of the rail-
way committee of the North Capitol and
lexington Citizens Association, also spoke
in favor of the Capital Traction line east
wardly on Florida avenue, and submitted
a variety of facts to show that from many
Florida
proper one to accommodate the northeast
section of the city. The NJ and L street
routes were too far south.
Rev. DR.. Scott, pastor Of the M Street
Metropolitan Church. objected to having
railroad on M street on account Of the
noise 1t would make, and on account of the
danger to children going to and from the
church, and also to and from the Sumner
School, on the same street The church had
had much difficulty in financing its debt,
and 1t was looking forward to securing
permanent home on what 1t regards very
eligible site. Now it hoped it would not be
destroyed.
Gen. Harries' Opposition.
General George H. Harries vice presi-
den of the Washington Railway and Elec-
trio Company. opposed the building of a
road across the city by a new company.
He detailed the numerous extensions that
had been made by the two existing rail-
road companies. These recent extensions
had cost more than a million of dollars and
not one of them had been profitable. They
were built because of public demand.
In addition there is in contemplation an
extension of 18th street, and the company
hopes to have that line running before the
summer is past. Other extensions are to be
made to the Union station.
Not to Serve the Public.
The proposition Of the Great Falls and
Old Dominion Railway Company for a
cross-town line In this city, he declared,
was not brought forward for the purpose
of serving the public.
"A brief glance at the list of officers and
directors fails to reveal the name of any
one who is working for his health, who Is
toiling for the public welfare, who sits up
nights studying how best to advance the
interests of anybody else" declared Gen.
Harries.
Not so long ago I was discussing cor
poration matters with a gentleman-one of
my very good friends-who is deeply inter-
ested in this bill. Jocularly I made refer
ence to his evident interest in the public, to
which he replied Don't you believe it for
moment. l am for myself and any
ruInor you may hear on the street to the
contrary is without foundation in fact
Characteristic, frank, accurate and appli-
cable to every thought, every movement,
every semblance of force, behind this meas
ure.
What His Companies Have Tried to Do.
Nov let us see what our companies have
tried to do, but without success.
For years the Columbia company did its
best to cross the gap from 10Th to 18th
streets northwest. so that it might cover
the territory now occupied by the F and
g street lines of the Capital Traction Com
pany, either by trackage over the latter's
right Of way for two squares or by running
along H street to nth and thence south
ward and westward.
Then the Belt Line made an effort, in
1898, to secure cross-town rights on L and
NJ streets. but was upset, because there was
no public demand for such line. Senator
German, now a member Of this committee,
introduced that bill in the Senate, and is
undoubtedly acquainted with it's history.
Three years ago / made strenuous eff
fort to convince the then chairman Of this
committee that 1t was time to think def
nitely about line on o and streets The
esteemed senator went over the route, and
when next approached him on the cross
town topic said: My dear fellow, I am
yOur friend Don't think 0f URGING nv ONE