Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-06-03
IL has been represented in behalf Of the
Atkinson bill 10 some southern yeprese N atives

10 has been represented in behalf Of the
Atkinson bill 10 some southern represent
that their constituencies are in such i'm mediate
need Of enlargement OF the freight facilities OF
Washington that they cannot afford to delay
action until proper amendments for the protec-
ton Of the people Of this city are added. This
claim proceeds upon the theory that through
freights are necessarily affected by the present
inadequate facilities OF Washington. Such
however, Is not the case. In the hearing of
President Roberts before the Senate District
committee, when that body made a special ex-
animation Of the subject, the following dia-
logue took place:
The Chairman Is it necessary that all OF
this freight business should be transacted
within the city limits. that you speak of?
Mr.. Roberts. The freight business / have
just alluded to is local and must all be trans
acted in the city limits Ii is not the through
business that occupies these grounds. The in
terchsnge of through business can be trans
acted without trouble. We can take trains
straight through and transact that business on
the other side of Long Bridge.
The Chairman Are not many OF your loaded
trains. destined for other points, allowed to re-
main in the city and to stand here on these
tracks from time to time?
Mr.. RObertS No. sir. I do not think our
loaded trains are allowed to stand here a great
while.
The Chairman That is the complaint.
Mr. Roberts. 1 doubt whether 1t is well
founded The through business may be thrown
out Of this discussion. because if what you say
is done here it has no business to be 80 done
and should be discontinued.
The Chairman. All you want now to know
is how you can get sufficient facilities to trans
act the strictly local business OF this city?
Mr.. Roberts. Yes, sir.
Evidently the local interests of constituent
80 n
this controversy, except so far as the exclusive
privileges granted to the Baltimore and Poto-
mac by the Atkinson bill, and especially by the
second section. place the southern roads seek
ing Judgment in Washington at the mercy of
the Baltimore and Potomac. No one denies
that the local freight facilities need to be en-
larged, and such enlargement is part of the
proposition of every railroad project ad-
vocated before Congress. The peculiar
and characteristic features of the Atkin-
son bill are the additional sections
which make extraordinary concessions to the
railroad by presenting to it public property
and exclusive privileges, and by rewarding its
Illegal acts Washington asks the increase of
freight facilities, but would accompany the
grant to the road Of power of condemnation
with provisions in respect to grade crossings
and the occupation OF reservations which will |
give suitable protection to the public There |
Is no excuse for haste in granting the Baltimore
and Potomac's requests and deliberation in |
considering those of other roads and of the !
public. The need of an increase of the facili- !
ties OF the Baltimore and Ohio is as great and |
urgent as in the case of the Baltimore and Poto-
mac, and the need of better protection to life |
and limb by reduction of the evil of grade |
crossings Is even more imperative and immedi- |
ate than the necessity for enlarged opportuni- |
ties to do business