The Washington herald., 1909-06-05
MAY LEASE The Line
Negotiations Pending for
BluemOnt Division.
UP TO SOUTHERN RAILWAY
Washington Capitalists Offer to Take
Over and Operate the Property
with the Privilege of Purchase.
Would Bring Cars Into City from
Falls Church by Electric Motor.

Though the principals 70 tie transae-
tiCn have denied that The BIuemou1 di-
vislcn Of The Southern Railway has been
sold 10 capitalists OF Washington who
own and operate the Great Falls and
Old Dominion Railroad. il is learned
from an authoritative source that nego-
Jiations looking 20 that end have been
pending for several weeks, and have not
yet reached a termination Recent dis
patches relating to the matter which
have reached Washington from outside
sources have gone ahead OF the facts
IN declaring that the deal for the prop
erty has been completed
Il IS understood that the pending ne
.gouatons consist OF a proposition present
ed 10 the officials Of the Southern Rail
way Company first 10 lease the Blue
mont division for a term Of years. with
the privilege Of ultimate purchase. and.
second the purchase Of the line outright
If certain conditions relative 10 traffic
and revenue can be shown upon the COM
pany's books. Il Is understood that the
capitalists making the proposition prefer
to lease the road until the operation OF
the property can be tried out 10 ascer-
tain whether the motive power Of the
line can be prohtably changed from
steam 10 electricity.
VIII Shorten Trip.
From the same source Of information
Il is learned that in case the Washington
capitalists gain control Of the road, either
by lease or direct purchase, II is their
intention 10 operate the line for a time
as a steam road improving its train
schedules. enlarging its rolling stock. and
making an attempt 70 give the region
served by II a better and possibly cheaper
form Of railroad facilities
one Of the changes proposed IS 10 bring
passenger trains into Washington. drawn
by an electric motor. over the tracks OF
the Falls Church Railroad instead OF
running them down 10 Alexandra and
back to Washington from Alexandra
Junction This plan viii shorten the
time of the trip from Eluemont to Wash
ington by twenty minutes or more, and
will be especially advantageous TO per
sons coming to Washington on the early
trains for work
The plan proposed Is regarded as feas-
i5le. provided the property can be secured
in the way indicated. Business men and
others in Washington. 70 whom the de-
tails OF the plan have been revealed, are
enthusiastic in the belief that the acquisi-
ton of the property by Washingtonians
and the completion OF the project 10
bring passenger cars directly into the
city over existing electric roads will
work out we'll 10 all concerned
VIII Hold Another Conference.
While the negotiations are yet in the
incipient stage. il is known that officials
OF the Southern Railway are gathering
data upon the subject 10 be presented 10
the promoters OF the project
It has been said that the parties TO the
negotiations are somewhat far apart as
TO terms, and that the plan IS likely 20
fail because they cannot come together,
but It Is understood that another confer
ence is 20 be held. with additional infor-
nation at hand, and il is by no means
I impossible that the negotiations will not
work out satisfactorily 10 a conclusion
which viii land the BlUemont property
IN control OF the Washington men.