Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-12
HINTS OF BIG BRIBES.
In Connection With the Way in
Which Corporations Manage
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA MATTERS.
Street Railways and Gas Companies Get
Everything They Want,
EVEN TO EXECUTIVE APPRECIATION
ESPECIAL TELEGRAPHIC LETTER.
BUREAU OF THE DISPATCH,

ESPECIAL TELEGRAPHIC LETTER.
BUREAU OF THE DISPATCH,
WASHINGTON. d. c.. April II.
For many years there has been no great
scandal in Congress involving direct charges
of bribery among members, but it is, never
theless, a fact that legislation year after
year shows an exceedingly curious state of
affairs in regard to the treatment of cor
porations which might fairly excite the
suspicion of the public that all Congress-
men are not interested in the cause of the
dear people as deeply as one would think
from the very public-spirited ring of their
speeches.
An illustration of this was seen to-day.
1t was "District day" in the House, and
nearly the whole afternoon was devoted to
consideration of a resolution extending the
time in which the Metropolitan Street Rail-
road Company may change their motive
power to something else than the wretched,
over-worked horses, which, with the over
worked drivers and conductors, earn mag
nifcent dividends for stockholders who do
not work at all.
Hard Work to Get Rapid Transit.
Two years ago a law was enacted provid-
ing that the two great street car companies,
the Washington and Georgetown and the
Metropolitan, both immensely profitable,
should dispense with horses and employ
some of the modern motors which similar
companies in other cities had voluntarily
adopted. Congress acted only under stress
of great popular mplaint, and then in the
tenderest manner possible.
,,1r %xxy<>
nies in which to make the change. Now,
when the time has almost expired, the
Washington and Georgetown, which owns
the great Pennsylvania avenue line, and
which has been preparing for the cable
system, asks for an extension of six months,
and the Metropolitan, owing an equally ex-
tensive system, taking in F. street, asks for
year, alleging that 1t has been experiment
ting with storage batteries, but is not yet
ready to run the risk of making the change,
as the independent batteries are not yet
the lexington line has been running the
storage battery cars for more than q year,
and with entire satisfaction.
The solicitude of Congressman for the in
terests of the Metropolitan line, in their
speeches to-day was. to put it as mildly as
possible, very peculiar. Several statesmen,
If they were not known to be honest to ex-
from their own speeches. with being re-
tanned attorneys Of this wealthy company.
Many Difficulties to Overcome.
One gentleman explained, with great
elaboration, that it was impossible for the
company to introduce the cable system on
its roads, on account of the sharp curves
and the crowded condition of the streets;
that the law prohibited overhead wires,
imperfect, was the only recourse. He ad-
mitted. after some sharp questioning, that
the cable system was feasible, but could
only be operated at q loss.
hor hnr. 0IyI,I tad eiY a ~
solicitude and these arguments brought out
the witty O'Neil, of st. Louis, who, with
whitening sarcasm, desired to know whether
it was the business of members in legislating
for the benefit of the public to consider
whether a corporation worth millions of
dollars would make more or less profit from
certain changes which ought to have been
made volunt tarily years ago.
After much discussion, in which nearly |
every speaker showed tenderness in regard |
to.the wants of the company that was almost |
sion for a year was adopted. with an amend |
ment cruelty providing that If there were no |
seat provided for the passenger no fare |
should % be charged; w which, Of course, will be
asperity of this amendment. another amend |
ment was adopted granting the company |
the privilege Of using overhead wires, and |
one limiting the extension of time to six |
months was promptly defeated.
The Companies Get All They Want.
ook upon such legislation no one can fore
,ee The influence of these corporations
1as usually been omnipotent among the old /
corporation lawyers who compose large ma
ority of the Senate, and when bills grant
ng enlarged powers to such bodies have
,he Executive they have encountered no OBJ
IT may be inferred, therefore,
that these companies will get just what
'hey want. The broken-down horses will be
rtra6 tN fla los 6Q nf ha init |
read wires will mar the beautiful streets,
md the scandalous crowdlng of cars will
lot cease for day. Between land 10 in the
and 4 and in the afternoon the
,ars are jammed to their utmost capacity
md the horses treated in the most cruel
manner; and Congressman at the beheSt of |
he comnany meekly grant year more for |
he continuance of all these abuses.
Millions have been made by q few men out |
If charters which cost them nothing and the |
most shameful disregard OF the comfort and
interests of the public has been constantly |
shown. Complaints have been sneered at. |
of abuses have been had |
ime and again in Congress, but without re-
ult. The companies have seemed to have |
IN all powerful grip on nearly every Con- |
FRESHMAN who takes a hand in District mat
ers, and the same phenomena are exhibited
IL the treatment of all questions which con-
'ern the great local corporations. If there
las been no corruption there are certainly
plenty OF signs to the contrary.
Year after year attempts have been made
u |
ity to change routes and grades so as not to
ndanger lii and ruin property. Not only
las nothing been done, but the roads have
ctually gone on appropriating public streets
nd reservations without any color of law.
rhe only bill that has been perfected look
ng to the changes was drafted by an attor-
ley of one of the roads, and the almost
rantic advocacy of that bill by certain men,
'ers came within an ace of bringing out
candal that would have rung throughout
he country.
A Similar Affair Recalled.
A few years ago certain members started
rusade against the Washington Gas Light
company, one of the most profitable corpor-
tions of its kind in the world, which then
harged the outrageous price of 81 IS net per
200 feet. 1t was shown by expert evidence
hat the gas could be furnished at an i'm
nense profit for 81 OF less per 200 feet, but
he Investigating Committee accepted a vol
lntary reduction by the company of % cents
,er 1000 feet. Citizens now pay 81 80 per
900 feet for very Indifferent gas, the COM
,any was as suddenly silenced as though it
lad died. and not Congressional voice has
ver since been raised in criticism of the gas
company. What influence 1t is that secnres
uch sympathetic consideration in Congress
OF these corporations which are roDbing
nd snubbing this public to u degree hardly
olerated in any other city is a mystery
which may not be solved, but it is one
vhich is of close and vital interest to the
he whole country.
The performances at which have scarcely
more than hinted would hardly be possible
n an atmosphere of strictly honest legisla-
ray, just now. The performance of to-day
as aroused criticism among the people
nd those Congressman not Immediately ill.,
crested, which may yet cause number or
cry prominent cars to tingle unpleasantly.
'aturaliy, criticism is concentrated on the
having these matters in charge,