Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-06-21
FOR AND AGAINST 1T.
The House District Committee and
the Atkinson Bill.
A POLL OF THE COMMITTEE
seven of the Members Opposed 20 the
Measure in Its Present fOrm-But a
Small Minority In Favor OF It-Inter.
views With Committeeman.

ally. Reported to the House by bare ma
jority Of bare quorum of the House District
committee, in the absence of the chair man of
the committee, it has always been q matter of
doubt as to whether the bill as il really stands
had the support of majority Of the committee
from whom it stood on the calendar as being
reported. Mr.. Moore, in the debate on the
last District day, openly said he did not believe
the bill received the support Of majority of
the committee. This was denied and the ques-
ton was not settled. Now. however, after
talks with the different members Of the COM
mittee, it can be set down as an assured fact
that If the Atkinson bill back in the Dis
trict committee it would not be recognized
when II came out again. majority OF the
members of the House District committee to-
day favor substantial amendments to the bill.
Scarcely a member can be found TO say ne
favors the bill absolutely and without change.
The abortion has been disOwned by the Dis
trict committee. Here is what the members
of the committee have to say on the subject:
CHAIRMAN CIRCUIT.
The chairman of the committee. Mr.. Grout,
has already made his views known fully and
freely. To STAR reporter Gen. Grout said
81 object very decidedly to the Atkinson bill
in its present form. The people of the District
have rights well the railroad, and the
proper time to obtain those rights is at the
time the railroad is pushing something for itself.
There are many additions which should be
made TO the bill The Commissioners. in the
first place. should not be granted the power TO
give permission for sidings whenever they see
fit Just such sidnSs the railroad wants
should be specified and Congress should grant
them refuse theE.
If brought within proper limits as to bounds
the proposition TO condemn land for a freight
station is a proper one, the road is no doubt
in need of additional facilities but the way the
bill is drawn it does not set any limit to the
land which may be condemned. There should
be some proper limit and some proper bounds
within which the power Of condemnation would
have sway.
''Sidings should not be legalized az the bill
proposes to DO, IN that portion of the city
where the tracks can be depressed. The tracks
should be put under ground in the western
portion of their line. where reports have
shown the plan to be entirely practicable. and
at the wharves so that there can be passage
OF the tracks other than at grade. The rail-
road should then come out at grade and estab-
lish their station at point just south of Mary
land avenue, where their original charter
placed it.
Amendment of this character should be
made to the bill. When the railroad asks that
these tracks be legaliZed then we should de-
mand of them to fix the time when they will
show a regard for public safety by sinking
their tracks anu get back off the public reser-
Walton. which they have for eighteen years oc-
cupied without giving one cent for the privi-
leges."
REPRESENTATIVE HEMPHILL-
Mr.. HemphilI of South Carolina at the last
District day had charge of the opposition to
the Atkinson bill Mr. Hemphill is a consist
ent believer in the railroads being made to
make some concessions to the public interests
III view of the additional grants given them.
Mr.. Hemphill fayOrs the depression of the
tracks and the moving Of the station back to
the original site chosen by Congress. HIS
F,rfh IN, d HI
the debate two weeks ago. Mr.. Hemphill be-
heves that the people of the District have
right to demand something from the railroads
and that now Is the time to demand il. The
Atkinson bill, he thinks, asks everything for
the railroad and does not manifest
any disposition to grant anything to the
public. He thinks that the roads should
be granted additional facilities for the transac-
,tiOn of their local freight business. but pooh
pOohs the idea that the company needs addi-
tlOnal facilities in this city for the carrying of
their through freight which goes right
through without stopping. In view % the pur
chase by Congress of additional parks, Mr..
HemphIll thinks the holding by the railroad of
SIX government reservations without paw or
recompense Il farce and disgrace. The mall
should be vacated by the road. he thinks, and
aptly SAYS that there is not a member Of the
House who would vote to allow any individual
to erect private house upon the mall or
upon any public reservation in this city; and
how can they answer to their constituents for
granting to u railroad company a right which
they would refuse to any private individual in
III Is country.
Mr. Hemphill believes in the doing away
with grade crossings. He thinks that as little
as the railroad can do Is to put their depot
upon property which they have acquired and
paid FOR. which they have not taken from the
public without compensation, and then that
they should make some regulations in refer
ence TO their tracks and shall either take them
on the public streets or build up walls which
will protect the people from loss of life and
limb as they pass along the streets of the
city.
Mr.. Hemphill has his views on ths subjec.
embodied In the shape of amendments, which
viii be offered at the prope- time.
REPRESENTATIVES, ATKINSON.
Mr.. Atkinson of Pennsylvania has had charge
of the railroad bill from the first and is in favor
of the bill Mr.. Atkinson has been absent from
the city for some days. but he may naturally
be put down as III favor of the Atkinson bill
without change or alteration.
REPRESENTATIVES, BURTON.
Mr.. Burton is another member of the COM
mittee who. while having every kind feeling
toward the Pennsylvania railroad thinks that
the interests OF his constituents in the District
require the Atkinson bill to be amended in
certain particulars.
"A proper adjustment. Of the question be-
tween the Baltimore and Potomac railroad and
tne government. said Mr.. Burton, REQUIRES
that while the necessary facilities be given the
road for the transportation of its business. at
the same time means should be taken to pro-
tect the lives of the citizens of Washington,
and to prevent one section of the city being
cut OF from intercourse with the business por-
ton. The tracks should be SUNK IN nv opinion
30 far as the present depot is concerned am
doubtful as 10 the aIvIsabiity OF moving il
back, especially il the tracks could be brought
across the mall. below grade. so as to prevent
any obstruction OF the streets and roads"
REPRESENTATIVE HEARD.
Mr.. Heard Of Missouri is one of the mem
bers of the committee whose views, on
account Of his great popularity and close
knowledge OF Washington. carry a great deal
of weight. Mr.. Heard has been supposed to be
In favor OF the Atkinson bill il stands with
out cnanRe- This. however, has been a mis-
taken impression, as MIR. Heard has too great a
regard Tor the District 10 oppose amendments
10 the bill which he does not think are wrong
IN themselves and which will inure to the bene-
Mt OF the community. lie believes in the re-
lief being given the railroad which the bill
grants, but does not believe in unlimited con-
domination and does not believe in grade
Crossings Il am not in favor of the unlimited
condemnation power allowed the railroad by
the Atkinson bill" said NJ. Heard. the COM
pany should be granted liberal facilities for the
Transaction Of its business, but the power of
condemnation should be limited The south
ern through freight has nothing whatever to
DO with the question. Ii Is for the local freight
that additional facilities are reqlired