Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-14
OPPOSE RAILROAD
HyattsviIIe Sentiment !:
Against Grade Crossings.
DECISION EXPECTED SOON
New Municipal Building on Johnson
Avenue Is Practically
Completed.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
HYATTSVILLE, December 14.-It is
claimed by the directors of the Wash
ington, Westminster and Gettysburg
Railroad Company that the construction
of this road will mean the material de-
velopment of community now but
sparsely settled and with ..ne prospects
on account of the fertility of the soil.
Several Washington capitalists are inter-
ested in the project, among them William
H. Saunders. who has appeared before
the mayor and common council OF
Hyattsville and the public utilities COM
mission of Maryland in the interest of
the road.
The question as to whether the tracks
of this company will be allowed to cross
Columbia avenue within the corporate
limits of Hyattsville at grade and the
tracks of the City and Suburban rail-
road near Randalltown just below Hyatts-
willie, also at grade. is now before the
Maryland court of appeals. and a de-
cision is expected within the next month
or so. The mayor and common council
refused to allow the company to cross
Columbia avenue at grade. and the COM
pany then proposed to construct a bridge
and approaches thereto and to allow the
tracks OF the company to pass under It.
This the town authorities declined to al
low, and the company took the matter to
the circuit court of Prince Georges coun-
~. asking for a man0amus compelling the
city fathers to grant the request. Judge
Fillmore Beall of the circuit court at
Marlboro granted the application. and
the towns counsel, Vincent A. Sheehy,
appealed the case.
The court also ordered that the railroad
company be allowed 10 cross the City
and Suburban railroad company's tracks
at grade. and the latter company also
appealed.
Sentiment Against It.
The sentiment in this section of Mary
land against the new company laying
its tracks at grade over these cross
ings is Very pronounced, and ii is under
stood that the attorneys for the town
and for the City and Suburban Company
will contend that the court is without
jurisdiction in the premises, matters af-
fecting the control of corporations of this
kind being within the power of the public
utilities commission TO settle.
The new municipal building on Johnson
avenue adjoining the post office building
is practically completed, and the next
regular meeting of the mayor and COM
mon council will be held in the new coun-
Gil chambers. Chairman John G. Holden
OF the building committee has ordered
modern furniture for the chambers, and
the new quarters viii be equipped with
all modern conveniences. Arrangements
are making for the formal opening OF
the new building, when invitations will
ne issued to every citizen and taxpayer
In the municipality. Music Will be pro-
vided and refreshments served. Speeches
Will also be made by several former
mayors of the town and some of the
prominent citizens. The new building cost
about 5000. certificates of Indebtedness
being issued under authority of an act OF
the Maryland legislature. session 1872
The interest and sinking fund will be
met by special tax OF cents on the
Slo provided for in the town charter
The building will be used for the storing
OF the fire department apparatus and
headquarters for the fire laJdies. The
town treasurers office will be in this
building, and quarters for the meetings of
the mayor and town council also provided