Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-01

to the attention of Congress, but no action has
been taken.
The Senate has done its share in providing
the Supreme Court with new home. having
passed bill for the purchase of the site cor
responding to the one ON which the new library
building Is now being erected. Work during
the year has been continued on the new IL
brary building and another story added.
RAILROAD RAPAcITY.
The Pennsylvania railroad has not entirely
swallowed Washington during the past year.
but it has taken considerable bite and is still
hungry. The needs and wishes of Washington
in respect 20 the Pennsylvania railroad situa-
ton are too well known to need extended COM
nent. From January to January the fight has
gone on. the railroad advancing and the people
struggling to retain some few rights. Confer
ences began on the freight blockade question
with Baltimore and Potomac officials early in
January
Congress had scarcely met before bills relat-
ing to the railroad problem commenced to
pour in Among them was the Atkinson
bill, drawn up by the railroad, which needs
no introduction to the people of Wash
ington. 1t condoned all past offenses of the
company. legaiiEed their unlawful actions and
clinched their occupation of streets reserva-
tlons and parks. In March the board of trade
took hand in the controversy and BY unani-
nous vote adopted the report of the commit
tee on railroads. condemning the Atkinson bill
Of trade did not stop at this point but its rail-
road committee appeared before both District
committees and vigorously protested against
the enactment of the Atkinson bill
THE BILL REPORTED.
In spite of the resistance of Washington both
congressional committees favorablv reported
the bill during May. The fight was then trans
ferred to the floor of the House and on District
DAYS from that time on District business was
entirely blocked 10y the measure. The bill was
vigorously debated on June Q and 70 and
July II.
In the meantime protest after protes. poured
In against the bill from citizens of the District.
Associations Of citizens. declarations of labor
and trades unions were alike III their condem-
ration of the bill il stood july II yery
nearly proved the death Of the bill. as the
House voted 10 recommit with instructions 10
report bull moving the Pennsylvania station
from the mall. During July over $4,000 citi-
zens of Washington signed n petition protest
ing against the bill The railroad. however
had been hard at work with a strong lobby an
on August IL the vote by which the bill was re-
committed was reconsidered and the discussion
commenced anew. Finally few amendments
were tackled to the bill. the most important one
being provision for a commission to report to
Congress at the next session on the subject of
the Pennsylvania railroad tracks. The bill was
then reported from the committee of the
whole.
In the Senate the McPherson bill, which cor
responded 10 the Atkinson bill. was passed with
scarcely a murmur on September "a The long
hight In the House was ended on December
and the bill passed.
The Senate substituted its own bill for the
House bill and a conference was necessary. The
conference committee distinguished itself by
striking ont the commission clause from the
House bill The conference report was adopted
by the House December 19 and is now pending
In the Senate with every prospect of passage.
OTHER RAILROADS
While the Pennsylvania road has been the
main topic in District railway circles there
have been other events. Bills were also intro
duced in Congress in regard to the Baltimore
and Ohio road. number of steam railroads
have asked for entrance to the District and
while no charter of this kind has been granted
several of the schemes have received consider
able support There has been continued
talk of a railway down the line of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio canal into Georgetown and
across Rock creek into the city. The George
town Barge. Dock. Elevator and Railroad Com
pany and the Washington and Western road
have asked pretty much the same route so far
as the District Is concerned. Another bill which
has received favorable consideration by the
committee Is the chartering an extension
of the Drum Point road into the city. During
the year several deaths have occurred on
account of the grade crossings.
Locally the past year will long be remem-
bered fo- the passage of the bill providing for
Il nation i pa-x along Rock creek to contain
1000 acres and appropriating Il 200 900 for the
purpose. The struggle for this park has been
a long one and the city has just cause to con-
graduate itself on the final victory.
The Senate passed the park bill in January,
but the struggle in the House was a harder one.
The Senate bill appropriated all the money out
of the treasury while the House believed the
District should pay one-half the cost A bill to
this effect was reported to the House March r.
The board of trade at its meeting in March
called for the new park in unmistakable words
The bill was debated in the House on March "a
and April %. The bill was considerably
amended and passed May 20. The House
agreed TO the conference report September %
and the Senate on the following day. The con-
ference report placed half the cost on the Dis
trict. On September 80 the President ap-
pointed the park commission and the work of
liking the boundaries was Immediately COM
menced. The valley thoroughly explored
and surveys have been made defining the
boundary lines.
THE ANIMALS HOME.
The Geological Park has further advanced
during the year. The commission has been ac-
lively at work. Congress this year appropri-
ated so. 900 for the maintenance of the park
the money TO be spent In erecting buildings.
~ VI sum Is 10 PAID DIV the
District, although the Senate made u vigorous
opposition 10 this unjust provision.
BEATEN By CHICAGO.
Washington did not secure the worlds fair.
She made a valiant effort in that direction, but
our legislators did not appreciate the suitable
ity of holding national fair at the national
capital. Washington was disappointed by the
result. but. since the choice has been made.
has only good wishes for the success of the en-
terprise. IL Is hoped that, by some means the
District may be suitably represented ut the
fair.
The idea of a worlds fair originated in the
brain of one of Washington's citizens-Mr A.
d. Anderson. January Senator Faulkner in
PRODUCED the Washington bill. Later on in
January the Districts claims as well rs those of
the other consestlng cities were presented to
the Senate committee. The House balloted for
a site FEBRUARY "a, and ON the eighth ballot
Chicago was chosen, the vote standing
Chicago. 157; New York. 107; ST. Louis. IS. and
Washington, IS. The bill was finally passed in
March
ASSOCIATIONS OF CITIZENS.
First of all comes the board of trade. which
is purely an 1890 institution. and which in the
past twelve months has grown and increased
until il ia already power. The organization
of the board was perfected early in January
and from that time the organization has been
active iii furthering the best interests of the
District Almost Immediately after the or
ganiZatlon the railroad committee began hold
ing conferences with the Baltimore and Po-
tOmac officials in an enleayOr To settle hy