Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-15
STREETS AND RAILROADS.
The Condition Of Affairs Described to
the Senate as Disgraccful.

the Senate as Disgraceful.
MESSRS INGALLS, AND VAN WICK MAKE SOME STRONG
UTTERANCEs-THE DEBATE ON THE BILL RELATING
to THE OCCUPATION OF sTREETs-MR. VAN wYCK
SEES RAY OF HOPE FOR THE PEOPLE OF WASHING
TON.
AS stated in yesterdays STAR, the Senate
yesterday took UP, on Mr.. Ingalls, notion
and passed the bill reported by him pro-
Viding that the streets, avenues, alleys or reser-
vations In the city OF Washington shall not
be used for steam railroads, street railroads. tele-
phone, electric light, telegraph wires or pipes
for heating or lighting purposes, or for any other
than the ordinary public uses for which such
Streets avenues, alleys and reservations are es-
tablished, without the consent OF Congress being
first obtained. Referring to the necessity for this
declaration OF power by Congress Mr.. ingalls,, in
the debate preceding the passage of the
bill, spoke OF the franchises recently grant
ed by the Commissioners to a company in
corporated In West virginia for steam heating
and power purposes, by which three or four I'm
pOrtant business streets have been he said rem
dered practically impossible. Mr. Ingalls, said in
answer to a question by Mr. HOar that the gas
companies and telegraph companies claiming to
be chartered by Congress have all the necessary
powers required for carrying out the functions for
Wnlcn tney were incorporated. Speaking Of
THE OCCUPATION OF STREETS
Mr.. Ingalls, continued: "The Commissioners also
had their attention called to the condition of the
steam railroads In this city. Those who are
familiar with the suburbs especially in the north
eastern parts OF this municipality, think viii
stroyed in that region by the unjust occupation
OF the Streets avenues and public reservations by
the steam IN raj railroad companies: Within three or
four days last past, while traverSng the southern
portion OF city, Saw,I am safe in saying hundreds
OF cars-freight cars, loaded and unloaded pas
senger cars, cabooses and nat cars-not passing
through the streets and highways but stored and
standing therein. Those cOrpOrattonS have As
sumed to use the avenues, notably Virginia and
their cars that are not in motion, and thereby
practically destroying that portion OF the city for
purposes OF business and residence. saw lately
In one OF the newspapers a statement to the ef-
feet that one OF these corporations had succeeded
stealthily, privily, without the knowledge OF the
Uohi m ht gaming possession OF three
purpose Of switching and storing cars, and in
various ways using them for private purposes,
would have been compelled to have paid hundreds
OF thousands OF lllars for the property whose use
and value they Ulus willfully and wantonly de-
StrOy."
Mr.. EDMUNDS AMENDMENT.
Mr.. Edmunds offered an amendment providing a
fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment for
term not exceeding three years, or both fine and
imprisonment, for violations of the proposed meas
ure, saying in support Of the amendment: 81
think remember some instances within q few
years when, in spite OF the Commissioners and
sometimes by night, some corporations have en-
deavored to lay down tracks, or change tracks and
increase them in these streets, when, the next
morning, it would be too late for preventive In
junction"
In response to an inquiry by Mr. Van Wyck, Mr..
ingalls, stated that the street cars and the steam
railroads are chartered by Congress, and their
cupattOn OF the streets, avenues and reservations
within the limits prescribed by their charters is
lawful.
"They have got a good deal beyond it," said Mr.
EdmundS.
81 know they have" /" said Mr. Ingalls,
Mr.. Van Wyck asked II the bill, as now pro-
posed would reach any preceding unlawful Occu-
patton OF reservations.
occupation every days occupation would be con-
ttnung O1enSe.
Mr.. Sewell inquired as to the grants by the Com
miss1oners for railroad sidings to feed stores and
''In my judgment" /" answered Mr.. ingalls,, "the
commissioners are absolutely without authority
to grant permission to occupy any single inch OF
territory beyond That prescribed and defined by
the charter granting the company the authority
originally. II there be any such occupation under
any assumed grant OF power by the commissioners
1t is unlawful
THE STRAM RAILROADS.
Mr.. Vest asked the condition OF the bill or bills
in regard to union depot in this city.
Mr. Ingalls, said that his best efforts for years
had been In the direction OF some solution OF the
railroad difficulty He referred to the conflicting
and hostile interests OF the companies II am
road termn1 In this city and the occupation OF
large portions OF the area OF the District by rail-
road corporations, under present conditions, Is
simply disgracefuL 1t amounts almost TO crime.
practically destroyed and cOnfiScated by the un-
lawful occupation OF the portions OF this city
ly1ng to the northeast and to the southeast aud
sONtn OF the Capitol for the purposes OF l0como-
ton and or storage. pOFflOn6 of the CITY have