Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-31


DEBATE IN TIE srSArr-sHARP oRIrIcisn OF
STREET aArLRoAD COMPANIES.
Immediately after morning business today in
the Senate the conference report on the Dis
trict appropriation bill was called up, the dis
cussion being continued ON the street railroad
provision.
Mr.. Plumb said that both the roads which
were peremptorily called upon to change their
motive power, as he. understood, had now in
course Of preparation plans for such change,
one proposing to use cable while the other, il
was understood, had almost perfected an cleo
tric motor for use on the line
PROTECTION OF LIFE AT srRKkr CROSSINGS.
Mr.. Spooner said that in regard to cable cars
proper precautions should be taken for the
protection Of life at street crossings Flsgmen
or something Of the kind should be stationed
At certain crossings. He himself at Pennsyl-
vania avenue and 9TH street had seen several
accidents, which it seemed to him we're the
oirect result OF carelessness. He simply wished
TO call attention to this matter although il was
not exactly germane to the bill He wished
the attention OF the Commissioners to be called
to the matter.
oRITIcIsINo PRESIDENT HURTS REPORTED Re-
MARKS.
nAA. t1dWiey Wss severe IN MS structures on
the alleged interview with President Hurt, pub
lished lately, on this subject. Mr.. Hawley
said that in substance Mr.. Hurt had said thst
people were bound to be careless yway; that
probably fagmen might save a few lives. but
that 1t did not matter anyway. Mr.. Hawley
thought, by all means fagmen should be
placed at many Of the crossings He related
the story OF the accident at Pennsylvania
avenue; where an east-bound car was run into
by cable car.
HR. HALE's SHARP CRITICISM OF STREET RAIL
ROAD COMPANIES.
Mr.. Hale doubted whether any discussion
could bring out the full measure Of the brutal
disregard for the convenience and safety Of
the people shown by the street railways in this
city. No other city would stand for a moment
what is patiently submitted to here. He did
not know where the fault Law, whether in the
District committee, the Commissioners or
where, but its existence is apparent to every
one. MIR. Hale said he had had this bill held
over as he wished to see for certain that there
was nothing in the bill which would allow any
line to sneak in the use of overhead wires.
Mr.. Hale then criticised the Tenleytown road
a public nuisance. The public roads occu-
pied by these tracks, he said, we're rendered
utterly unsafe for travel and he gave notice
that at the next session of Congress right here
In the Senate, he proposed to have il brought
70 vote whether or no that railroad company
should continue to ruin two Of the most beauti-
ful roads and streets around Washington.
Mr.. BLACKBURN SEVERE ON THE ooMPASrEs
Mr.. Blackburn said there was no city of over
zoo, 600 inhabitants in the United States that
put up with such poor, wretched and utterly
mean street car service as was given to the
city OF Washington. He favored any move
me Mt which would utterly force the companies
to dispense with horse power and improve their
motive powers. No railroad in the country, he
said, paid bigger dividends on watered stock
than the Metropolitan road. He favored any
means to do away with the overhead wires
also.
Mr.. Reagan likewise denounced the Tenley-
town road as nuisance.
THE DEFICIENCY MATTER.
Mr.. Daniel asked Mr.. Plumb in regard to the
deficiency matter and Mr.. Plumb replied that
it was the opinion of the conference committee
that the revenues would be ample for the ap-
preparations. The Commissioners, he said,
had backed and filed on the matter of revenues
and seemed rather uncertain as to what il
would be. The last statement, however from
the auditor showed only the possibility of a de-
fciency of $40 600 which the committee were
of opinion would bo amply met by the revenue
over the estimates.
COMMISSIONER OF cHARIT1Es
Mr.. Faulkner wanted to know why the Office
Of commissioner of charities should be limited
to citizens other than citizens Of the District
He thought men could be found in the District
capable Of performing the work.
Mr.. Plumb replied that the idea was that
some one be obtained from outside whose
practical experience in such duties should be
large and varied, besides. he thought there
was large amount of pulling and hauling
among the different local charitable organiza-
tons.
THE RAILROAD AMENDMENT AGAIN.
Mr.. Vest, after criticising the delay in the
passage Of the appropriation bills by this Con-
gress, said he did not quite understand the rail-
road amendments. The previous law COM
PEELED all the companies to change their rails
to groove rails within one year from the pres
ent time or by March, 1891, under penalty of
having the change made by the Commissioners.
the cost of such change to act as mortgage on
such road Now, what he was doubtful about
was II. after the passage Of the pending amend
ment, the law of 1889 would still be in force.
MIR. Plumb replied that the present amend
ment had nothing to do with the law of 's9 in
reference to the rails. which would continue in
full force. The present amendment had refer
ence simply to the motive power.
MR.. 6oRMAN scRrTIcIsM.
Mr.. German criticised the provision of the
bill allowing any company which previously
has changed its rails in accordance with the
act of 'S9 to issue stock to cover such cost.
Such thing, he said, was ordinary expense
and should be paid out of the income Of the
road. Such thing as allowing an issue of
stock for such purpose, he thought, was
simply allowing the stock to be watered.
Mr.. Plumb thought the issue of stock did not
apply to change OF rails previously made.
Mr.. Harris contended that the clause did
apply and should apply, as an entire change of
rails within a specified time was not an ordi-
nary expense.
THINKS THAT THE ROADS SHOULD BE TAXED.
Mr.. German thought that, in justice to the
people of the city and in justice to the other
railroads, the Washington and Georgetown and
the Metropolitan railroads should be compelled
to pay a higher rate of taxation. They were
the only roads exempted from the payment of
the city per cent tax on the income, and he
wished to give notice that, while he did not
wish to antagonize the conference report he
intended at the first opportunity to try some
means of compelling these two favored monop-
ton, on an equality with the other roads Mr..
German, likewise, was severe In his criticisms
on the absorption of the Tenleytown road by q
railroad company.
MR.. M'PHERsoN's VIEW.
Mr.. Mcpherson thought there should be a
general system Of street railways marked out
by the District committee, and that at the next
session several weeks should be spent on the
matter. The companies then, he thought
should be made to pay an adequate price for
the franchises. At present franchises are is
sued free OF cost. He thought, for instance,
that 10 per cent of the receipts of the WASH
ingtop and GEORGETOWN road would not be too