Evening star., 1914-01-26
PLEA Of CITIZENS
FOR RAILWAY LINE
Public Utilities Commission
Asked to Authorize Exten-
sion of Local System.
PLAN FOR BRANCH ROAD
TO SOUTHEAST SECTION
Extends From W. R. and E. Connec-
tion on Good Hope Road
to Benning.

Appearing 900 strong before. the public
utilities commission 10 urge the need Of
a railway line connecting Anacostia with
Bennlng. residents of Southeast Wash
inston today formally presented to that
BODY the first request made by citizens
for a street railway extension il has ever
considered at public hearing
Arguments advanced in behalf Of the
improvement We're met with statements
by Clarence =. King, president of the
Washington Railway and Electric Com
pany. to the effect that If this corporation
we're required to finance and operate the
extension 1t would suffer great financial
loss.
he returns from such road would not
be sufficient to pay the salaries of the
motorinen and conductors declared Mr.
King. IF you made us a present of the
road. built and equipped. We would lose
money for 4 number of years in operat-
ing it,
Plan of Extension.
The extension sought is to begin at
Nichols avenue ard Good Hope road. the
present terminus of the Washington Rail
way and Electric Company in Anacostia,
and proceed by way of Good Hope road
to Good Hope, thence along Bowen road.
now known as Ala aoama avenue, to South
ern avenue. thence along Southern avenue
to Bennfng road and along the latter
thoroughfare to Benning. a distance of
about i've and one-half miles
Among the sections represented at the
hearing today were Anacostfa. Benn:ng.
East Washington Heights, Garfield Min
nesota avenue. Rsndle Highlands. Twin
ing City and Suitland, Md
Robert F. Bradbury. as representative of
the citizens in these COMMITTEES desiring
the proposed Improvement. presented to
the commission arguments in favor of that
body issuing an order requiring the COM
pany to build the extension.
Other speakers who indorsed the pro-
posal were Representative Frank o.
Smith of the fifth Maryland district;
Henry B. F. Mcfarland, former District
Commissioner; D. c. Edwards. president
of the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tons: G. Leroy White. pastor of the
Methodist Church in Anacostia. and DR..
Charles NJ Emmons president of the
East Washington Citizens Association.
Claims Population of $4,000.
Mr. Bradbury claimed that a territory
of about 5000 inhabitants would be serv-
ed by the proposed extension.
A possible basis for compromise
was proposed by DIR. Emmons, who
suggested that the present terminus OF
the companys lines be extended to
Suitland road distance of about two
and a quarter miles.
This Improvement could be provi led
at cost of about $50. 900, he estimates
and would make possible the buildin
of feeders" into Maryland territory
DR.. Emmons suggested that in the
event the railway company is not or
dered to make the extension to Suitland
road, the commission give to citizens Of
the territory affected the right to con-
struct the two and half miles of track
and compel the Washington Railway and
Electric Company to furnish current for
its operation at cost.
In reply to DR.. Emmons' suggestion Mr.
Bradbury stated that the building of the
shorter extension proposed would be well
coined by citizens in the southeast sec
ton If the complete improvement desired
could not be obtained.
Representative Smith and Former Com
missioner Macfarland expressed the view
that the improvement would prove com
pensatory within reasonable length of
time. This view also was advanced by
the other speakers.
Estimate of Cost, $36O,OOO.
President King. who was the last to
testify. gave as his opinion that the
building of the five and half mile ex-
tension to Benning would cost about
$360.00o. 1t would be twenty years,
he predicted. before such a line would
pay.
He also declared that before the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company can undertake an extension
it will have to adopt a comprehensive
financial plan.
The hearing, which lasted more than
three hours. will be resumed at d later
date when officials of the company will
present to the commission certain data
desired respecting the cost Of the pro-