Evening star., 1880-02-03
The Unien Depo, Question.
DISCUSSION AND ACTION OF TIE SOUTH WAS
INGTON ASSOCIATION.

DISCUSSION AND ACTION OF TIE SOUTH WASH
INGT0N ASSOCIATION.
Citizens OF South Washington held meeting
last night at St. Dominics Hall 10 hear the re-
port of the subcommittee Of twenty-five on the
subject of removing the routes and depOtS OF the
railroad companies from their present locations
in that section OF the city. Mr.. j. H. Johnson
occupied the chair, with Mr.. W. B. Brown as
secretary. Mr. c. p. Culver, from the sub-com-
mittee, laid before the meeting the report, COM
priSiDg the preamble and resolutions, the pur-
port of which were published in yesterday eve
ntDg's STAR. Mr.. McDeyitt thought that before
any action was taken on the report IL would be
better to confer with the District Commits
sloners; sion getting 9 tnelr views as to where
fhG vo depot p9d Sn should be i9eated Mr.
Dent. who had expressed himself in favor OF
the bill as it now StandS-the bill of Mr.. Hun
ton, which is now before the House District
cOmmittee-that the passage of that bill would
be an entering wedge, after which the citizens
could give expression OF their views as to the
proper place for the union depot, and il thought
best, for two depots, one for each of the railroads
now entering this city, to be located somewhere
out of the way OF the business centers and at the
same time more advantageous to the compa-
cooperate with the citizens in efecting the de-
sired purpose. The Hunton bill was read by
the secretary, and Mr.. Culver said Commits
SiGner Dent was in favor OF it. He had
also converSed with several members of Con-
gress who appeared to be somewhat surprised
10 learn that neither of the railroad companies
AClu NCSttu III tliC City IlllilJS, SU
as relates TO the permanent location OF their
tracks or depotS. Many Of them appeared to be
under the impression that there was no power
which could compel the companies to change
their location, and did not know until informed
that the companies are entirely under the con-
troll of Congress. But the temper OF Congress
was to favor the citizens OF the District. Mr..
GcDevitt stated that he had been informed by
proninenC members of these two companies
that this Union depot plan was a big job by
outside parties or those in no way interested
ptt har of q nd hot
possibility OF the two companies uniting on a
Union depot plan. Here some discussion
followed as 10 the power conferred
by the bill upon the District authorities i'll re-
quiring the construction of two depots and two
routes within the city limits, in case the one
union depot plan could not be agreed upon. Mr..
Wright objected TO this Hunton bill, and
thought clause should be inserted investing
the District Commissioners with powers to re-
quire each railroad company 10 construct new
routes and depotS II III their Judgment 1t be
deemed for the best interests OF all concerned
He therefore thought the Hunton bill should
not receive the sanction OF the South Washing
ton Association in It's present form. The two
railroad companies are not likely to agree upon
union depot, and then the whole plan fails
no powers being vested in the District authOri-
ties to make two routes and two depots. Mr..
Culver was satisfied there was no job in the
matter The persons who had drawn up this
bill We're property holders in south Washington,
in North and East Washington and he
did not believe there was any job in It. Mr..
Joseph Williams expressed himself In favor or
any routes or locations for depotS which the
companies may select, stating that he was not
opposed 10 any enterprise which benefited this
section OF Washington. Mr.. Patrick Culinaue
thought there was entirely too much chin music
by those Who had little or no pecuniary interest
in the matter. The committee should first get
the cooperation OF the District Commissioners
and get their views. He had been to see Major
Twining, who is in favor of locating the South
Washington railroad track in South Washington
as far south as possible Mr.. Wright submitted
the following. which was adopted:-'.That the
report OF the subcommittee OF twenty-five, in
dorsed by the committee OF one hundred be
amended as followS:-That the subcommittee OF
twenty-five be appointed, whose duty it shall be
TO secure, II possible the adoption of an amend
ment TO the bill now pending before Congress,
providing for the selection OF site for the union
depot, so as 10 invest the Commissioners with
the power TO select separate sites for depots and
separate routes in the event OF failure to agree
upon the site for the union depot. That with
out such an amendment we condemn the pre-
sent bill as inadequate to relieve the people," A
resolution offered by Mr.. Brown was also
adopted, resolving the meeting into perma-
nent organization TO be known as the '.Citizens'
and Property-Holdcrs' Protective Association OF
South Washington"