, 1891-05-20

WASHINGTON, May l9.-"Sir George"
Pullman's denial of the report that be
paid the expenses of President Harri-
sons magnificent vestibuled train expe-
dition has revived the question here as to
who really footed the bills. In the light
OF some inside facts which have leaked
out with reference to certain legislation
OF the last congress, a good many people
here believe that question can be easily
answered.
There is no doubt that the trip cost
more than $50, 900 and such a SUN, even
as the price of a denomination Tor the
presidency, Benjamin Harrison could
hardly be induced to pay out of his own
pocket.
Mr.. Pullman declares that he is not in
the business Of furnishing the presidents
of the United States with none to de-
fray their travelling expenses. but there is
a blg corporation which has a great deal
OF money to spend where it will do the
most good, and to pay honest obliga.
tons however incurred. This cOrpora-
ton is the Pennsylvania Railroad com-
pany and the obligation which 1t is said
is being ~hquidated by this company float
ing the bills for Harrlson's big swing
around the circle was incurred in this
wise:
The Pennsylvania railroad company
now owns certain corporation rights and
privileges in the District of Columbia
worth hundreds of thousands of dollars
and secured to it by the stroke Of Ben
jamin Harrison's pen only a few months
ago.
For a number OF years the Penusyl-
vania railroad company has controlled a
right of way through the beautiful
grounds of the government mall between
the capitol and the Washington mOnu
ment. This splendid park is badly cut up
by the railroad, and the fine drives are
rarely used by owners of spirited horses
owing to the danger from the rapid ap.
proach of roaring, whistling express
trains. This privilege was only a temper
airy grant to the railroad company, and
congress reserved the right of revoking it
at any time. But the billion dollar con-
Rress took good care OF the big corpora
ton. and Representative Atkinson OF the
! district committee, brought in a bill pro.
vidine for the perpetuatiou of the right
of way through the government park.
There probably never Was introduced in
congress a bill which provoked more
| criticism in the District Of Columbia. The
local newspapers fought it valiantly and
circulated many thousand petitions asking
congress to revoke tie railroads grant
and rescue the southern portion ofthe city
from the grasp of this gigantic corporation.
The passage OF the bill was secured by the
unremitting labor of one Of the most
nnfnrta,tg Inhhfaa at,ar notba-aI =. NN..h
ington. All ~law-abiding citizens we're
surprised that the bill should have been
put through in both houses. There was a
last resort. however, and the fact has now
come to light that an earnest protest was
made to the president against placing the
executive signature to tins notorious
measure.
The bill in effect not only closed entirely
a beautiful avenue of the city. but con-
demned squares OF city property and de
preclated much real estate held by private
individuals to the extent of many thou
sands OF dollars. Representative Hemp
hill OF South Carolina had labored earn
estly in behalf of the district and at the last
moment introduced an amendment revOk-
ing the privileges of the company as lar
as the, park was concerned. But his
amendment was defeated and the bill was
sent to the president.
Benjamin Harrison listened to both
sides of the case and signed the bill which
put many thousands of dollars into the
pockets OF the railroad company. The
effort made by the people of the district
with the president was known only to a
few, but these people are now well salts
fed that it is the big railroad company
that Is footing the bills of the presidents
trans continental trip.
Benjamin Harrison has done much for
the Pennsylvania Railroad company. He
not only assisted in advertising Cape NAV,
but he loaned his official presence to Cres-
son Springs in the A~lleghanies at a time
when that summer resort needed a little
booming. 1t is the opinion OF most peo-
pie in Washington that If the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad company squares itself
with Benjamin Harrison by offering 20
foot the bills of his round trip to the
Pacific coast 1t drives an excellent bargain.