Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-12
THEB.&O.HAS BIG PLANS
WASHINGTON SCHEDULE MAY
BE LOWERED TO IS MINUTES.

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany officials. 1t Is said. have big things In
contemplation for the Washington branch.
AS Is known, the company now has a prac-
teal ownership of all the stock in that
road, the last purchase having been made
from the state of Maryland, which re-
ceived 81 10000 for the $500 shares which
1t held. This purchase was made through
the Maryland Trust Company and this in
turn has delivered the stock to the treasury
officials of the Baltimore and Ohio.
When the agitation for the requirement
of the state stock was on" said official
of the road yesterday, I'VE appreciated the
fact that after this branch came completely
under the control Of the company at least
100000 additional would have to be
spent to bring it UP to the standard now
required for quick transit and to meet our
competitors. These are always wide awake
and ready to seize opportunities which pre-
sent themselves to improve the service.
I'VE always aim to do likewise, but 1t
sometimes occurs that conditions are forced
upon US. This may have been true in this
instance. While the state a joint
stakeholder and was clamoring for some In
terest return from the earnings of the
Washington branch, the management of
the Baltimore and Ohio was necessarily
hampered IN carrying out whatever prof.
ects it may have in view.
To Go Ahead With New Plans.
''Now that this interest has been elm
mated we are In a position to go ahead
with our plans without fear OF being
thwarted or opposed by large interest
which could not be overlooked in dealing
with such a comprehensive proposition.
Our people have always maintained that at
least 81, coo coo would have to be spent on
this property to bring 1t up to the point we
desire In giving passenger service between
New York. Washington and the west which
would be equal or superior to that afforded
by any competing line.
The plans for these improvements, 1t is
said, are now being worked out by the en-
cheering corps of the road. They have not
yet progressed sufficiently to give any sue
cinct statement as to what they will &C
tually include, but the idea is to straighten
the line and make 1t capable of faster and
more effective service than is now afforded.
Curves will be eliminated and reduced to
q minimum. The grade of the road will
not require much alteration, except at such
points as may be made necessary by the
strengthening of the line. Approaches in
both Baltimore and Washington will be
looked after, and when the work Is finally
completed, what are now forty-five-minute
trains between this city and Washington
may, 1t Is said, be brought down to a
thirty fve-minute service.
Sharp Curves to Be Eliminated.
The washington DldIICu proper UeBiIls
at Relay and ends at the New Jersey ave-
nue. station in Washington, a distance OF
thirty-one miles. There are some sharp
curves especially between Relay and An
napolis Junction. which, 1t is thought will
be eliminated in the plans under contem-
plation. The vtaduct at the Relay, which
has quite a curvature, will probably not be
touched.
Now that the Baltimore and Ohio has full
possessfon of this branch, it may be in
corporated into the general system. The
protected straight line from Baltimore to a
point above the viaduct may be carried out.
This has already been surveyed and begun,
ing been used TO fill In the low places along
the route. The project has not been pushed,
as the Baltimore and Ohio got into straits
soon after the completion OF this tunnel
and was not in n position to secure imam
cial aid to push it along. The surveys are
available, and the partly completed work
can be built upon, should this be one or
the projects contemplated under the ex-
nanditures deemed necessary for this work.
THE company has arranged to increase
TIA capital stock 10 per cent. This new
stock. which has been offered to common
and nreferred stockholders at par, will
Weld nearly SOS 100000 in cash. The first
irstaIlment. under this plan. Is payable
Nav 81 The deferred payments run until
next September. when the whole sum VIII
become available to the company. 1t Is
from this fund these Washington branch
improvements will probably be made. It is
the intention Of the management to bring
the road -up to a condition capable of the
hest results In the running of trains, and
this was In mind at the time the state
stock was bought.