The Washington times., 1894-05-29
GREEDY STREET RAILWAYS
Sharp Words in Congress Against
Their Rapacity in This City.
STRONGLY AGAINST TROLLEYs
District Committee Scored for Bringing in
Street Railway Bills Asking for Free
Franchises from the City-Ambitious
street-stealers Turned Down.

Yesterday being District day in the House
the Brawley bill for the repeal of the 10 pei
cent. tax on state bank issues was side
tracked temporarily and the few members
present gave partial attention to District oil
! Columbia bills.
! An interesting event OF the day was the
reading of letter from the sons Of Louis
Kossuth, in replyto the letter recently sent by
| Speaker Crisp under direction Of the House.
The Senate bill to fix the northern bound
ary line of the Warm Springs Indian reservs-
ton in Oregon was passed, as were sundry
| House bills
When Mr. Heard, of the District Commit
tee, asked for the regular order, the first bill
taken up was one to permit the Capitol and
North street, or Belt line, to extend its
tracks: and a lively discussion was precipi-
tated, during which an amendment proposed
10y Mr.. Bingham. of Pennsylvania, authoriz-
ing the use OF the trolley in Washington
streets. was Overwhelmingly defeated.
| Mr.. Everett, of Massachusetts, recited the
tale OF Boston's suffering from trolley wires.
and stat ed that all the lines in that city would
have TO be buried by November l, according
, to law.
Mr.. Grout, OF Vermont, objected to line
on L street. and declared it would lessen the
value OF property.
Mr.. Richardson. who favored the line, de-
clared the Till incorporating the line was ap-
proved by the Commissioners. and had been
carefully considered by the committee.
Mr.. Wise, of Virginia, wanted to know why
two lines were needed within two blocks of
e..ch other. and commented on the fact that
there was one now on II street. Gen. Sickles,
ct New YORK. thought the property holders
on the line Of the proposed road were at
least entitled to some hearing; and Mr..
Coombs of New York, objected to the right
which tine bill conferred upon the company
OF making such issues Of stocks and bonds as
they pleased. He declared the city would
soon be gridircred with tracks. and thought
the Commissioners had heard one side only.
On an amendment by Mr.. Richardson
(Dem., Tenn }. requiring the adoption Of an
underground or surface mechanical motor
within two years after the passage of the act,
the vote was 20 to II. Mr. Coombs Dem,
n. y. made the point OF no quorum. The
bill was with :rawn and the committee rose,
when ol, was passed for the relief of the
president and directors of Gonzaga college.
House bill TO amend the act to incorporate
the Washington and Great Falls Electric rail-
way was the2 lassed.
The House bill to amend the charter Of the
District OF Columbia Suburban Railway
Company and 10 extend the time for its con-
struction elected from Mr.. Williams Demo
crat. Mss an amendment requiring the
charter TO De sold to the highest bidder.
SO much opposition was aroused and such
a wide range given 10 the discussion that it
was impossible to take any action on the
bill.
On the suburban bill. Representatives Will
| Jams (Miss.) Cocmbs (N. ", and Sickles (N.
". made speeches advocating the sale Of
valuable iran 'h!ses, instead OF making them
practically gifts. Representative Coombs
sgid that he looked on the bill with suspicion.
and thereby brought on n tilt with Mr.. Rich
ardson Tenn who considered II ahinsinua-
tion a,ainst the honesty of the committee
Mr. Coombs said that hereafter he should
INSIST upon the presence OF a quorum to pass
these bills unless some general laws covering
the disposition OF franchises was adopted
He thought il queer that street railways took
precedence over all other District legislation
in importance.
Mr. Hlcaardson said that he would like also
TO see 4 general law for the disposition of
franchises and to have the District Commit
tee relieved OF such work. The House ad-
journed with the bill not voted upon.