Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-31
TALKING OF THE ELECTRIC ROAD
The Proposed Extension of the Ecking-
ton Line Discussed in tn Q Senate.

NIB. HARRIS PRoPHEsIEs THAT IN THREE YEARS
EVERY ROAD IN THE DISTRICT WILL BE PRO-
PELLKD By ELEcTRIcIrY-MR. HALE AND Mr..
MPHERsoN IN DOUBT ABOUT THE PROJECT.
Senator Wade Hampton had barely con-
cluded his speech on the race question yester-
day when Senator Harris arose and asked the
consent Of the Senate to consider the bill to
amend the charter of the lexington and Sol
diers' Home railway company. Nobody OBJ
jected, SO the Senate, as in committee OF the
whole, proceeded to consider. The various
amendments as reported from the Senate Dis
trict committee we're agreed to- Senator Cor
man said he understood that Senator Harris
was going to explain the bill. His (Gorman's)
attention had not previously been called to the
measure.
Mr.. HARRIS EXPLANATION.
Senator Harris thought there was no neces-
sity for an explanation. The lexington road,
he said, as ii now exists runs from the Catholic
university and from the village of lexington to
its present western terminus on New York ave-
nue. and It'll street. This extension proposes to
run down 5th street from New York avenue to
g street, and thence west along G street to the
eastern boundary of 18th street. The reason
that controlled the committee on the District
Of Columbia unanimously was found in the fact
that this road transported during the last year
over half million passengers, dumped down
at the junction Of New York avenue and 18th
street, a somewhat iuconvenlent point to ach
to get on or to be dumped off the cars, and in
volving in a great majority of instances the
necessity for the payment OF another railroad
fare to reach the business centers, the business
parts and the departments in the city.
In response to questions by Mr.. Hale Mr..
Harris said that this was an electric road. but
the bill expressly provided that if electric
cables or wires are used on the 5th street and G
street extension they shall be put under
ground
Mr. HALE's REMARKS.
Mr. Hale said that when this road was first
contemplated and urged it was stated that it
was to be what was called a suburban road
that it was outside of the main thoroughfares
of travel; that it was to accommodate persons
living on the outskirts and beyond, and that
there was no intention of bringing it into the
heart of the city. He was, he said opposed to
bringing these electric roads any nearer INTO
the center of the city. At the best they are
dangerous; they result in the destruction of
property and human life, and the tendency of
all investigation and of all humanitarian move
ment at the present time is in favor of confin-
ing them and not of increasing them
Mr.. Harris said that the committee on the
District of Columbia reported during the last
Congress bill extending this road with the
same Western terminus and that the board of
trade OF the city Of Washington earnestly
recommend II. In transporting over 100000
people within the last year not single acct
dent to human beings or to animal life in any
form had occurred. According to the opinions
OF electrical experts throughout the whole of
this country voltage of not more than 500
volts threatens no danger to animal life. The
maximum limit of electrical power used on this
road is 500 volts, and the limit to which they
have extended its use has rarely, if ever, ex-
ceeded 400 volts. The Senator from Maine, he
said, might take the shock forty times day
and he would scarcely be conscious OF the fact
that he had taken it.
UNDER GROUND AND OVER HEAD.
Senator Mcpherson wanted to know whether
there would or would not be overhead wires
used
MIR. Harris said the bill distinctly provides
that, II electricity Is used on the 5th and q
streets extension, the wires shall be put under
ground.
MIR. Mcpherson said he did not know that,
after the various experiments which have been
made respecting the use of electricity as
mOter Tor cars, it is absolutely determined that
the wires, even when put under ground, are en-.
tirely safe. He thought other lines of railroads
might feel that they are entitled to the same
privileges and the same immunities that this
road will enjoy if electricity be much cheaper
motor than either horse power or the cable
ileges can be extended with perfect safety to
the people of the city.
NIB. HARRIS PROPHECY.
Said MIR. Harris: LAS far as electricity is con.
cerned, it is already established, and will add
that the day is not two years distant, and
hope not ten months, when every Senator will
become satisfied that current of electricity moi
exceeding 500 volts is wholly innocent and abso-
utely free from danger to animal life. expect tc
see within the next three years. and L hope to
see within the next three years every street rail
road in the District of Columbia propelled by
electricity. There is not such a street railroad
in the world today as the lexington road
which this bill proposes to extend. 1t is the
most complete in all of its appointments. 1t il
as free from danger as any horse railroad or
any other system of street transportation that
ever was devised l hope the bill will pass
without further opposition"
The bill did not come to a vote, however for
Senator Cullom saw that vote would develop
the fact there was not a quorum present SO he
insisted on his motion for an executive session
and was successful.