Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-03
STREET RAILROADS HERE.
An Interesting Discussion Of the Subject
In the Senate.


Quite large number Of Senators were in
terested today in the debate which Senator
Edmunds stirred up by his motion TO postpone,
until the FIRST Monday in December next, con-
alteration Of the amended bill to ex-
tend the route Of the lexington and
Soldiers Home Railway Company. Senator
Edmunds said he advocated the motion because
he trusted that in the meantime commission,
authorized in some way by Congress, would
carefully investigate the entire street railroad
question in the District
There were several roads which we're to be
extended and several new ones were also pro-
jected. They all needed examination A map of
the District was then laid on the Senator's desk,
and while he pointed out the liberality which
had been practiced by Congress toward the
lexington company a number Of Senators
gathered around him to examine tine map and
listen to his remarks. Among those whose
interest was most apparent we're Senators Gull
lom Dawes, Casey, Allison, Stewart, Plumb.
Davis, Reagan, Morrill,, German, Chandler,
Hale and Bate.
DETECTING TO THE PROPOSED ROUTE OF THE
ECKINGToN ROAD.
Senator Edmunds explained at length the
rights now in the hands Of the company and
said he was astonished to hear it ask for more.
He spoke of the proposed extension down G
street to the Treasury Department, and said
that congressional permission to make it should
never have been granted. G street was
too narrow. Carts could not be unloaded prop
erly without interfering with passing cars
With double track there was too little space
to permit OF the passage of carriages. Such a
road would be great injury to property which
was not used for business purposes.
There should be in the bill provision to the
effect that when private property was injur-
iously affected by the road the owners OF such
private property should be compensated.
Another thing to which he desired to direct
attention was the existence, in full working
operation, of roads Immediately adjacent
to the proposed extension. The
route laid out in the bill
was paralleled for practically the entire dis
lance. One road was running but one square
south OF G street. 30 that the lexington line
should at least move up to street; but there
was hne on II street and New York avenue
There could be no public necessity for such an
extension. Not a single application for a road
had been made by any Of the citizens on the
streets to be traversed; not single petition
mad been presented from any of the residents
on G street.
The scheme was for the benefit of a railroad
which wants to lay down tracks to compete
with another company already covering what
was practically the same territory. 1t was all
right Tor the company, OF course, but what
about the people.
The Senator said he thought it proper, with
all due regard for the committee on the Dis
trict OF Columbia (Which had he thought, been
misied In the natter to postpone action on
the bill.
The lexington company, he held, had no Just
claim on Congress. for it had violated the moral
sense OF the law which prohibited the stringing
of overhead wires.
SENATOR INGALLS, DEFENDED THE CoMPANY's
ACTION
in hastily erecting poles and stringing wires
SO Is to complete the Job before the
date Of limitation fixed by law. He
said that the Commissioners had granted per-
init for that work some time previous to con-
gressionai mention of the matter.
Then Senator Hoar defended the overhead
wire system and the men who composed the
corporation which built the lexington road,
and Senator Edmunds responded by say
ing that he was looking after
the interest, safety and comfort of the citizens
of the United States who lived in or visited this
city. He had no constituents interests to look
after.
Senator Harris (who had given up the chair
Of presiding officer to Senator Cockrel in order
that he might take part in the debate) briefly
sketehed the history OK the charter granting
legislation so far as the lexington company
was concerned.
Senator Edmunds said he did not blame the
capital, pluck and friends, it had gone in to
make money. The power OF granting or refus-
Ing permit was in the hands Of the District
Commissioners. The permit to erect these
poles and wires was granted and the Commits
sloners Ito characterize in no stronger terms)
did very wrong.
There was one other thing to which the Sem
ator said he wanted to call attention. BY the
terms Of it's charter the lexington company
was compelled TO pay into the treasury
per cent on its gross income. He had made
inquiry OF the proper authorities and was in
formed that the lexington and Soldiers Home
Railway Company had
NOT YET PAID CENT
Common people-Senators, for example
had paid their taxes twice or three times since
the lexington road went into operation, but
that corporation had kept its pockets closed.
Senator Hoar secured permission to state
that he expected to offer an amendment to the
bill, which would, he thought, remove several
OF the objections made by the Senator from
Vermont.