Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-12
SENATE DISTINCT S0snRrfAh =
Il Discusses severxl Measures q 6sSSe ISeal
Interest.

x0t0re8I.
There we're seven sSHsSoss yressnt tkfs
morning at the regular sSsessns q tie ssssse
District COMMITTEES. Senator NSafalaA, lie
chairman, presided, Snd cross Who fkaKed
matters over with him we're Senators
Higgins. Gallinger, Harris, Vance. Faulk-
ss aaa sssson III. ws' subjects Sssse
cussed being very wide. Senator Galinger re-
ported substitute for the bill TO incorporate
the Eclectic Medical Society Of the District
He He spoke at some length Of the
being done by the eclectic people and
made plain his reasons for Offering the sub
stitute The committee agreed with the Sena-
tor from New Hampshire and the eclectic prac-
titioners will be gratifed at the result.
The committee then took up the bill to regu-
late the practice OF medicine in the District,
but no action was taken. Amendments OF
more or less importance were debated and 1t
was decided to let the measure soak little
longer.
TIE ROCK CREEK RAILROAD COMPANY.
Folks who want to see the animals in the
Geological Park. may soon rise up and call the
Rock Creek Railroad Company blessed. The
bill to amend the charter of that COM
pany will be favorably reported by
Senator Mcmillan. Yesterday afternoon
Senator Stewart and the chief engineer of the
road showed Senator Mcmillan just what the
company wanted. and this morning the COM
mittee unanimously arrived at the con-
clusion that the amendments proposed were
proper. When the extensions asked for
have been constructed the road will
connect with the Metropolitan, the Washington
and Georgetown and the lexington roads. The
new line goes out 18th street extended to Gin
cinnati street. and thence by way OF Kansas
and Ontario avenues to that portion OF the
Geological Park in which may now be found
the more popular wild animals.
THE WASHINGTON AND ARLINGTON COMPANY.
1t has been evident from the action of the
Senate committee that this Congress is not
careless in the matter of street railway fran
chises and on this line there was new testimony
offered today. Consideration was given the
porated the Washington and Arlington
Railway Company and it brought out
several decidedly interesting statements, all of
which confirmed the committee in its cautious
policy. 1t was alleged that the charter in ques-
ton was obtained largely because of represen-
tations which indicated the speedy erection of
a new bridge across the Potomac in tine Vi
cinity Of THE Three Sisters When the charter
was granted its proprietors made no effort to
build either the road or the bridge. but sold
their rights to certain parties in Tacoma in
the state of Washington. Now the innocent
holders are endeavoring to recoup. The
committee was satisfied that the COM
pany had no intention of building the
bridge, but simply wanted to secure
foothold on the Aqueduct structure-the propo-
sition in the amendment being to get from Con-
gress power to lay temporary tracks on the ex-
listing bridge. Aside from that phase Of the
matter, the committee did not believe that
single-track road on the bridge would be of
any material value in the transportation
of passengers during the Grand Army encamp-
ment and finally the Senators felt assured that
the structure was not strong enough to stand
the strain, not having been constructed with a
view to the use thereon of heavy cars. Two OF
the District Commissioners favored the amend
Rossell was strongly opposed to it. The COM
mittee was unanimous in its Endorsement Of
Capt Rosselrs views.
TRACKS TO BE EXTENDED.
Favorable action was taken on the bill to
permit the Washington and Georgetown COM
pany to extend its tracks SO as to locate the
western terminus Of the road near the northern
entrance to the Aqueduct bridge. The bill will
be reported on Monday by Senator Mcmillan.
Favorable reports were also ordered on the
House acts to change the corporate name of
the National Safe Deposi: Company and to en-
power the District Commissioners to grant
pardons and respites in certain cases.
TO INVESTIGATE THE MARKET COMPANY.
There was no objection to Senator Morgans
resolution of investigation to the Washing
ton Market Company, and that, too, will be re-
ported favorably.
SAFETY OF THE THEATERs.
When routine business had been cleared away
the committee took up the report of the Dis
trict Commissioners rs to the safety other
wise of theaters and public halls. To this the
recognized the gravity of the subject and there
was developed an enthusiastically unanimous
sentiment favorable to reforms.
Senator Mcmillan has statistics which show
the number of theaters burned annually and
the loss of life consequent thereto. The show
ing was regarded by the committee as appall-
ing, and subcommittee consisting of Senators
Mcmillan. Faulkner and Gallinger was
appointed to find out what steps are neces-
sary to compel such structural alter
safety. Members of the committee
expressed themselves very forcibly as to
dangerous exits and the entire committee is on
record as bound to support the subcommittee
in its efforts to render all places of
amusement as safe as modern construc-
get to work Immediately and when the thea
tiers have been disposed of-pcrhaps sooner
will turn its activity in the direction of some of
the churches that are now pronounced little
better than traps in case there should be panic
in them.
THE COLUMBIA RAILROAD.
When the committee session was at an end
Ccudto1e -hCuiAoh oHo ouDCOulIulG-
tee. took up some street railroad matters es-
pecially the bill granting to the Columbia rail-
road western extension and the right to
run over the tracks of the Washington and
Georgetown Company from 18th to 18th street.
The three diverse interests were fully repre-
scented. President W. ]. Stephenson and Ma
thanIel Wilson appeared for the Columbia
Railroad Company, President George W.
Pearson looked after the interests OF
the Metropolitan Railroad Company while
President Hurt and Geo. T. Dunlop were
around to see that no harm came to the Wash
ington and Georgetown. Arguments were
made on all sides OF the question. President
Stephenson and ar. Wilson insisted that there
would be nothing to prevent horse cars from
getting over those two squares of
track without difficulty between the
cable cars. 1t was done elsewhere, they said,
and they read letters from cable companies in
Cleveland. Chicago and Kansas City to
support their position. President Hurt said
that the combination would result in slow cable
service as q matter of necessity and pro-
caution. II the Columbia road was operated
by storage battery cars any other mechani-
cal motor as rapid as the cable car then the
Washington and Georgetown Company would
make no objection to the use OF the tracks.
The committee wanted to know why the
Columbia road could not leave New York
avenue at 18Th street and go along H street
10 18th on the Metropolitan tracks, then
down 18th over the Metropolitan right OF way
That proposition was declined by both the
Metropolitan and Columbia representatives..
BY the Columbia, because the route would Le
moro speedy than the herdic franct