Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-21
MEANING OF new LEASE
More and Better Cars Soon to Be
Put On.
NEW STATION AT R0SSLYN
Details of Transfer to Mt. Vernon
Company Announced - Commu-
ters> Express Approval.

The Washington, Arlington and Falls
Church railway. as stated in The Star
yesterday, is now under the control of
the Washington. Alexandria and Mount
Vernon Railway Company. The agree
ment transferring the line to the Alexan-
dria road which was entered into several
weeks ago. has been in effect since Oc-
tober ]. though the firty-one-year lease
was not recorded at the courthouses of
Alexandria and Fairfax counties. Va.
until day or two ago.
The new control of the Falls Church
line. means. 1t is stated, better, service,
better equipment and general improve
ment of the line to the advantage of the
many persons who use it each day in
coming into this city. Robert A. Ches-
ter, resident of tine company that Secur-
ed control of the line when 1T was taken
out of the hands of the receivers several
months ago, this morning stated that
his company transferred the line to the
Washington, Alexandria and Mount Yer
non Company because of the advantages
to be gained by his company by the trans
fer. as il will tend to greatly improve the
service by being under the control of a
very successful company and that the
prospects for service that will please
under the new control than they were
when the Washington, Alexandria and
Falls Church line was operated indie
pendently.
To Pay Dividends.
1t is stated that under the terms OF
the lease 1.-The Washington, Alexandria
and Mount Vernon railway agrees to pay
dividend on the outstanding stock OF
the Falls Church line. July 1, 1909, l pei
cent is to be paid, and this is to be in
creased from time to time until the divi-
dends reach per cent. No cash is
paid for the lease.
1t is proposed to spend large amount
of money In the betterment of the road,
and since last October the work OF in
provement has been in progress. The
roadbed has been greatly benefited, a
new substation for high power service has
been built at Lacey, and the work OF
installing the electrical equipment there
is now in progress. This station will be
ready for service in a short time, and a
faster schedule can then be maintained
and as patronage demands it, more trains
will be put on.
New Cars Ordered.
In order to do this six modern double
truck semi-convertible cars have been or
dered from the Brill Company at Phila
delphia. These cars were to have beer
delivered November Is. and they are ex
pected to arrive at this city at any time
When they are in service the old equip
ment will be withdrawn and will be re-
built and equipped with modern motors
and brought up to date In all respects, sc
that the line will have rolling stock suf-
ficient to meet all demands upon it. One
of the important improvements TO be
ms do hV IA n
stallation of a lock signal system over the
entire line for the safety of trains and OF
the passengers on them. This system will
be modern and will do much toward pre-
venting accidents on the single track line
Permission has been obtained from the
War Department for extensive improve
ments to be made in the terminal al
Rosslyn at the Virginia end of the Aque.
duct bridge. The station there Is to be
enlarged and improved and facilities fol
the quicker handling of more trains are
being planned and will be installed In a
short time.
The Improvements at RoSSlyn do not
mean the discrimination of the running
of trains into the station at 18th street
and Pennsylvania avenue, as the train
service from that point will probably be
Increased in the future.
Operated as Independent Line.
The Falls Church line will be operated
by the Mount Vernon road as a separate
and distinct line, and President Chester
states that the Mount Vernon line officials
would make no changes In the force OF
the acquired company. The main Office Of
the line will be left at Ballston for the
present, and the line will be operated from
from there. Later. however, the opera
ton Of the road may be directed from the
Office of the Mount Vernon line in this
city. Mr. Chester and General Manager
King of the Mount Vernon line are going
over the Falls Church road almost daily
mapping out plans for the improvement
Of the line, and it can be stated that 1t Is
proposed to bring it up to the high state
of efficiency now existing on the Mount
Vernon line from this city to Alexandria
and Mount Vernon Practically all the de-
lay on this road is now caused by the
trains being held up by the opening of
the draw of the Highway bridge to al
low tows to and from Georgetown to pass.
The greater part Of this delay could be
done away with were-the tugs on the Po-
tomac equipped with hinged stacks that
could be lowered so that the boats could
pass under the bridge without opening
the draw. Mr.. Chester states that dur
ing the coming session of Congress an
effort will be made to have passed law
requiring the tugs to have their stacks
hinged. 1t is probable that the railroads
using the railway bridge over the foto-
the passage of the measure, as the steam
trains are often delayed by the open
draw Of that bridge.
The lease transferring the line, which
was recorded at the courthouses Of Fair
fax and Alexandria counties. Va, is
signed by Clarence P. King for the Wash
ington. Alexandria and Mount Vernon
line and by r. A. Chester for the Wash
ington, Arlington and Falls Church line.
The latter road is largely within Fairfax
county, Va, though it has several miles
Of track in Alexandria county. Va.
Transfer Pleases Patrons.
The transfer of the line meets with the
approval of the residents along the line in
Virginia, and better service is looked for
by the change in management.
Attorney w. G. Collins Of Clarendon.
Va, in speaking of the lease today said:
THE public announcement is what we
have been expecting for some time. Per-
sonally 1 believe it is going to be a good
thing for the patrons of the Falls Church
line. The amalgamation by lease means
continuation of the improvements.
Many thousands of dollars have been
spent by the present company toward
betterments. / believe that within year
we will have an up-to-date electric road
NJ E. Church of Falls Church said: II
believe il will be a splendid thing not
e. 49,