Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-18
STREET RAILWAY BILL
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY Ia
KoMA PARK CITIZENS
Discussion Brings Out Declaration to
Secure Improved Facilities
Branch Library Site.


Street railway facilities was the para
mount topic discussed at the regular meet
ing of the Takoma Park Citizens Associa-
ton. held last evening in Takoma Hail.
with other themes considered at intervals
The first item brought forward, however.
was introduced by Mr. Angus Lamond.
chairman of the board of trustees of the
Takoma Park branch of the Washington
Public Library. who reported the deeds
from the owners to Angus Lamond, VIII
liam w. Prescott and Theodore P. Cul. ey.
trustees, had been placed in the hands of
the trustees of the Washington Public Lii
brary, conveying a site for the proposed
library building and known as lot II and
the east ten feet of lot II. in block of
Grammer's addition to Takoma Park. As
soon as Congress authorized the erection
of building the trustees will convey the
property to the District Commissioners.
In concluding his report Mr.. Lamond
said the board of trustees considered the
site the most BILE one available in
Takoma Park. 1t has; he said. a frontage
of II feet on Cedar street and parking 10
feet wide making the actual frontage So
feet. and depth of 40 feet. 1t is situated
on the corner of the block: the street which
it faces is macadamized, with rock gutter
and granolitEic pavements. and the lot is
on level with the street 1t is centrally
located and near car lines. The site, he
concluded was selected by a vote of the
subscribers. and has already been viewed
by some of the trustees of the Washington
Public Library.
Reciprocal Sewers.
Mr.. G. c. Chapman. chairman of the COM
mittec on sewers. reported that conference
had been granted by the District Commits
sioners relative to reciprocal sewers on Ce-
dar street and Eastern avenue, and that
the Engineer Commissioner had taken the
matter under advisement. He related a
conference which the committee had with
Representative Gillette. who received the
members of the committee and learned the
desires for an outlet for the residences on
these streets. DR.. II. M. Bennett stated
that the Commissioners favored such a
proposition. and that they had recommended
in bill provision 70: payments annually
for each house and the construction of the
sewers. and would continue to look after
the matter
Railway Discussion.
Mr.. ]. II. Clark chairman of the comm
tee railroads addressed the meeting. re-
porting that a bill had been introduced by
Representative Greene OF Massachusetts, au-
thorizing the Baltimore and Washington
Transit Company of Maryland to enter the
District. The route of the road he described
as follows: Beginning where Sd street
west intersects the present line of the rail-
way company, south on Sd street to Madi-
son street. west on Madison street to Colo
RADIO avenue to the intersection of 14th
street northwest. The company in conjunc-
ton with the Capital Traction Company
may receive rate of fare of not exceeding
) cents for each passenger for one contin-
uous ride over the route of the Capital Trac-
ton Company. Mr.. Clark reported further
that the bill now before the Commits
sioners for their action. preparatory to
sending it back to the committee of the
House.
Mr.. Clark then stated that at a meeting
of the railroad committee three lines of
procedure had been decided upon. First,
to appeal to the CAPITAL Traction Company
to extend it's line to Takoma Park; second
to appeal to the Washington Railway and
Electric Company for better service. and.
third, to aid in securing the passage of tn,
Commissioners bill.
The first proposition, he said. was taken
up and the committee was informed by an
official of the Capital Traction road that
the Capital Traction Company would not
extend to Takoma Park: that when the line
was to be extended it would be to the Dis
trict line that there would be more ex
tensions a. this time.
The committee then took up the subject
with the District commissioners. who in
formed them that House bill No. 124 ITO
regulate the operation of street railways in
the District Of Columbia. and for other pur
poses,' had been introduced at the first ses
sion ana WOuiQ not nave TO be relnCr0QCcef
during the present session; that the bill was
now before the Senate and House commit
tees of the District for such act on as they
may deem appropriate.
Provisions of the Bill.
The speaker then read the bill, which
provides, among other things, that every
suburban street railroad in the District
whose tracks now intersect or connect with,
OF hereafter may be made to intersect or
connect with. tracks of any urban street
railroads. is authorized, directed and re-
quired, subject to limitations, to run cars
on and over the tracks Of the urban street
railroads into the business sections of the
city.
In a recent interview with Gen. George
H. Harries, vice president of the Washing
ton Railway and Electric Company, Mr..
Clark stated, three propositions were Of
fered to the residents of Takoma Park by
that railway company. They were as fol-
lows: First-Through cars on the 9th street
line, with a transfer point at PetWorth.
Second-Through cars on the 9th street
line with transfer point at Brightwood.
Third-Rearranging the present loop at 7th
and Florida avenue, permitting the Subur
ban and Jth street cars to come in over
tracks at the same point with suitable
large, well-lighted and well-heated station
and with ample shelter and platform for
the passengers The committee opposed
the first two propositions and deferred
ton on the last one. preferring that the as
ISOLATION take action on the matter. Nr.
Clark stated that the committee did not
want to defeat any good which might re-
suit from action taken by the railway COM
pany to improve it's service, but thought
that action should not be delayed. He said
the committee recommended the passage
of the Commissioners BILL but Is in doubt
as to whether 1t will pass.
Eavors Harries' Plans.
DR.. H. NJ. Bennett stated that he was in
favor of the plan suggested by Gen. Har-
ries. He referred to the unsatisfactory re-
suits when the through cars were in opera
ton, the residents of Takoma Park being
required to take the 9th street cars because
the city people invariably filed up the
suburban cars when they ran into the city.
He argued in favor Of a good transfer sta
ton, the only objection, he said, consisted
in being required to change cars where it
was muddy I'VE don't want any terminals
at Petworth or Brightwood," he said
Col. r. 8. Brown spoke OF the many dis
advantages Of the present car line. which,
in his opinion. had done much to hurt Ia
koma Park from a real estate standpoint.
The principal objection, he said. was the
delay occasioned at the loop, which would
be reduced to minimum by the operation
of through cars. He was in favor of
through service. He objected to the dis