Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-08-17
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
UNDERGROUND WIRES AGAIN
A Long Discussion in the Senate
Mr.. Edmunds' Motion Carried

Mr. Edmunds' Motion Carried
STILL NO QUORUM IN THE HOUSE.
Ihe Senate.
OVERHEAD WIRES IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Mr.. Edmunds introduced in the Senate to-day
the joint resolution (Which was referred to the
committee on the District of Columbia) to re-
strain the erection or maintenance Of overhead
electric-motive power and electric-light wires in
Washington and Georgetown. He said that the
joint resolution was limited (although he thought
1t very likely that II would be extended electric
motive power and electric-lighting wires over
head, and did not prohibit and make nuisance OF
the existing telegraph and telephone wires. 1t
would be matter OF consideration whether 1t
would not be better to put into the same bill pro-
visions In regard to telegraph and telephone
wires
The communication from the Commissioners OF
the District OF Columbia (Which was under dis
cusslon yesterday came up again on MIR. Edmunds
OF columbia TO report a resolution requiring the
commissioners to revoke the permits aready
given for overhead electTic-motlve wires
MR.. SHERMAN IN BEHALF OF THE ELECTRIC COMPANY.
MI. Sherman condemned the proposition OF Mr..
Edmunds as one that would coerce the committee
on the District Of Columbia to report a resolution
to suit his (ir. EdmundsO views without any in
vestigation. He had not the slightest objection to
having the matter referred to the committee with
out instructions But to send IL TO the committee
with instructions OF a mandatory character was
10 take away all consideration and examination
from the committee. Since the debate yesterday
MI. Tfuesdell, the president OF the proposed elec-
trlc railway company, had called upon him and
stated the facts. He had said that the road was
a suburban road, and that for nine-tenths Of tn,
route there were no houses. II was intended TO
meet the traffic expected to grow up in connection
with the new Catholic university.
THE LAW INCORPORATING THE COMPANY
passed Congress last June, and allowed any kind
OF motive power that would be approved by the
Commissioners. The company had selected the
system Of electric-motive power; the Commission
erS had, In pursuance Of law, approved it, and the
company had proceeded with the construction OF
the line, had made contracts with firm in Massa-
chusettS, and mad some Of the material now on the
way. The company was required 10 have a GER
tain portion OF the line constructed within short
deprive the company Of its rights In his own
Judgment the system adopted by this company
was the best mode yet devised, especially for sub
urban lines.
WHICH Is MOST DANGEROUS?
Mr. Sherman explained the overhead system pro-
posed, saying that iron poles were used, 25 or 80
feet high, with arms across the top, these arms
bearing the wires carrying the electric power and
contended that the overhead system Is less dan
gerous than the underground system.
On this assertion Mr.. Teller took issue with Mr.
Sherman.
Mr. sherman, continuing, said it was stated that
or brute.
THE ELECTRIC CARS IN RICHMOND
Mr.. Hale said that he saw for the first time in
his lie yesterday, in Richmond, Va, an electric
railway In operation. He saw cars propelled by
this system OF overhead wires carried up steep
grades and down decivlties with ease and regu-
larity.
M; MI; Dawes arose, but Mr.. Sherman declined to be
Mr.. Dawes said that within the last two or
three weeks he had been in Richmond ana had
DEAD malt on grade. Some accident had hap
pened and the current OF electricity had escaped
into the a,r and created quite blaze
Mr.. Sherman remarked UOcularly) that the
train had come TO dead halt, probably,
as ne mad done, 0y sirresistible power. He
OSer 0aS lhnEs eams so sDd % ss S
In the town in which he lived there were 1ve
miles OF electric road. ascending steep grades,
where the use OF horses would be impossible, and
he saw cars go up and down every hour OF the day.
moving along by impercepuble power There was
no DOUBT that sometimes the electric power gave
and with the storage system. Was it right (he
asked) when this company, composed OF men OF
high character, had undertaken this experiment
at tnelr own COST 10 interfere with 1t? All that he
desired was that the District committee should
hear these gentlemen, and should send for scien-
tine gentlemen, and If the committee found
In connection with that railroad, and that
1ne system adopted was not a proper
II he had the power he would compel the exist
Ing street railroads OF Washington 20 adopt either
the cable or the electric system.
MI sherman ASSERTED that 1t would be unjust
and unlawful to now deprive the company or its
rights He said Capt. Griffin had advised that no
overhead electric wires be allowed In the city, but
that IL might be done with suburban roads and
he contended that this is really suburban road:
that, with route OF about four miles, scarcely
any Of It is along an improved part Of tine city.
Nlne-tenths OF the route, he said, Is out
Improving the railway Service Of tSs GsessS c,ss ana
would encourage this company In that direction
In any other city, he thought the ratlway-servfce
would have been improved before now. In any city
wnere the governing power Is closer 10 the people
far removed from the people, and when a company
ls.willlng 70 incur the expense ana the risk OF
striking striking out In new and better line he would not
Mr.. Chandler called attention to recent permts
given ior overhead electric-light wires and SAID
provision mad been made against any moreor
tnese deadly wires being allowed
Mr. EDMUNDs DEFENDS HIS NOTION
Mr., Edmunds defended his motion. He wanted
to stSp the evil right now, and not allow It to con-
tinue Till the 18th OF september, when the law pro-
niolting II WIN come into effect II the matter
were not stopped now 1t would be found by the
18th OF september that there were vested rights
ol syhalcates, OF corporotions, OF real estate
ing private capital into one force which was to be
orought 10 bear ON Senator'S and committees to
plock any retracton or retreat 1t would be said
tnat THESE were vested rights which Congress had
allowed. IL would be said that the matter had
Deen called 10 the attention OF the Senate on the
iotn OF August and that the Senate had CHOSEN TO
pe silent anu 70 express NO opinion.
Mr.. EDAUNDs DENIED
that tnis was suburban road It extended from
7th street northwest along New York avenue. and
the latter almost TO the boundary is improved. II
Mr sherman would ride some time out to the rae /,
Track, 'aS nave done sometimes on hOltdaySo re-
marked Mr.. Edmunds, she would fnd that New
YORK avenue Is graded, paved, curbed and built
up 10 North Capitol street." Mr. Edmunds
said that If the road were extended
70 baltlm0re and run from Rock
creek, IL might with as much propriety be called
SUBURBAN road, because though tr ran entirely
tnrougn the CITY the greater proportion was OUT
SIDE. He said that the terms OF the charter con-
Ierred upon the Commissioners authority TO con-
troll the matter OF motive power The Intention
OF the Charter was that the method OF propulsion
10 be adopted should be subject to the control OF
the commissioners. II there was any doubt as to
the Intention OF the charLer the doubt would be
solved In favor OF the people, least that was the
rule everywhere except IN the Senate, and ought
TO be here.
SUBURBAN NTERISTa.
He declared himself just as much in favor OF in
creasing and improving the modes OF travel in
Washington as anybody, and he was as ready
70 vote money for II. although he did