Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-20
THAT TRANSFER STATION
Senator Hale Makes Some Remarks in
Regard to 1t.
He Pays His Respects to the President
of the w. and G.. R.R. and to
Capt. Powell.

Senator Hale today called up his resolu-
ton. introduced some days ago, inquiring of
the District Commissioners by what au-
tnority they were abandoning the under
ground conduit system of the telegraph
and telephone service of the District and
substituting a line of poles down L.
street. Senator Harris desired that the
resolution should be referred 10 the COM
mittee on the District, but he waived his
request when 1t was pointed out 10 him
that it was merely a resolution of inquiry
and the resolution was adopted without
provision.
The Transfer Station.
Mr.. Hale's other resolution in regard to
the 18th street transfer station was then
laid before the Senate, and Senator Hale
made few remarks upon it. lie said that
| he had been informed that the District
committee is now investigating this and
other kindred matters, and that therefore
he did not object to the resolution being
referred to that committee.
Meanwhile he would call attention to the
charter of the Washington and Georgetown
Railroad Company, and he read from Sec
ton 10 of the act OF May II of 1867 incor-
porating the company, especially emphasiZ-
irg the provision which states that said
company shall procure such route, site for
stations. transfer stations, &c"
y.
THAT is the entire right of the COM
pany," he said, ito gain site for any of its
buildings and they have no right at this
time to gain such sites except by purchase
or act of Congress. and the Commissioners
of the District have no right to grant per-
mission in addition to the authority of this
act. l noticed the other day that the presi-
dent of this railway company, upon reading
the remarks made in the Senate when l
fv,N, gafad.a
him tired to notice this constant interfer-
ence of the Senate with the affairs of the
road L am very sorry for the president OF
the Washington and Georgetown Railroad
Company, and L regret very much that We
have bored him by our fidelity to public in
terest.
THAT distinguished individual may take
to himself the fact that the Senate will
continue to take cogniZance of all VIOLA
tions of law INDUCED in by this company
and by other companies in the District.
whether it gives him that tired feeling or
not. The District committee, l might hum
bly, suggest. should take some course that
would relieve the WEAKNESS of this gentle
man so that he can attend better TO the
affairs of his company.
Capt. PowclIs SuggestiOn.
Il noticed also that Capt. Powell, who is
attached. 1 believe. to the District Commits
soners' Office. thinks that there should be
another shed built opposite the present one
to accommodate all of the traffic.
This would necessitate the erection of
such structure in front of or upon private
property, ard l hope that the owners of
the property in that vicinity will prepare
themselves to take the question into the
court in case this suggestion is carried
cut and prevent the Commissioners from
kuttiug 1t into effect.
Il hope, also. that the members of the
District committee will some day, in a
modest way, so as not to shock the sensi-
bilities of the Senator from South Caro-.
lima CMr. Butler). because he has no car
riage, walk by this atrocious thing on 18th
street and fully note it's hideous aspect.
find now that 1t is approaching compile
tion, that 1t is ten times as bad as first
feared it would be.
Difficult to Regulate Railroads.
1T is discouraging to try to get anything
done by the Senate in the way of regula-
ton that will keep these railroads and other
corporations within proper bounds. They
have their representatives in both branches
of Congress, and every time any mention is
made of infractions of the law they will
consult together and devise some means of
obstruction, so that in the end they will
have their own way. 1 presume that this
tired president and the captain who thinks
there should be two iron sheds in the street
will get their heads together and will
eventually have their own way
Another objectionable Structure.
Senator Dolph Immediately took the floor
"Heh T1dle ndu IIllSneI speaking anu
emphatically. though irrelevantly. called at
tention to the structure now being erected
at the northeast corner of the Senate wing
of the Capitol. 81 presume" he said, from
its form, that this is intended as a shelter
from the rain and other bad weather but |
cannot see how ii accomplishes any good
results 1t does not extend far enough out
from the building to be of any particular
use to those who come by street car and
those who walk do not mind a dozen feet
more of pedestrianism in the rain at the
end OF their journey after they are soaked
through. Those who ride to the Capitol in
carriages or in the herdics can drive under
the portlco. and are therefore completely
sheltered. 1t seems to me that somebody
has been very officious in building some
thing that is very ugly and that does no.
body any good"
The structure referred to by Ar. Dolph is
hSht wooden covered passage way ex-
tending from the steps at the northeast cor
ner OF the Senate diagonally outward toward
the terminus of the METROPOLITAN line 1t
was erected yesterday. and. as Col. Bright
. serSeant-at-armS of the Senate explained
10 a star reporter this afternoon, it is sim
ply intended to shield foot passengers and
those arriving by the cars from the terrific
WIND that, during storm, is liable to form
great eddy at this particular section of the
grounds At times the wind at this corner is
so strong that 1t will blow a pedestrian en-
tlrely out of his seat. The structure is
mainly intended to cover the worst part of
this arid place.
Senator DOlph did not insist upon an
amendment being made to Mr.. HaIe's reso-
lutlon, which, without a vote, was referred
to the District committee.
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