Evening star., 1894-02-08

A TRANSFER STATION
Causes Quite a Lively Debate in the
Senate.
Mr.. HALES RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY
he Encroachments of Railroads
Commented on by Several.
COMMISSIONERS DEFENDED
IR. HALES RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY
COMMISSIONERS DEFENDED

VII SCNCt0ls
COMMISSIONERS DEFENDED
The Senate stirred itself into quite q rase
today over the new transfer shelter station
that is being erected by the Washington
and Georgetown Railway Company at the
junction Of Pennsylvania avenue, 18th
street and New York avenue. Senator Hale
started the ball rolling by introducing he
following resolution:
Resolved. That the Commissioners of the
District Of Columbia are hereby directed
to inform the Senate by what authority the
shed now being built on the sidewalk near
the intersection Of 18th street and Penn
sylvania avenue northwest is being con-
structed. the same being an obstacle to
travel and presenting an unsightiy appear
ance to the public"
ME-. Hale's Expiaaation.
MT. Hale. explaining the object Of his
resolution. said: TT is rather a hopeless
task to attempt to save any feature of
Washington or the District from the en-
croachments - street railway companies.
These companies are always active in their
efforts to get something that does not be-
long to them
When we adjourn and 20 home ana trust
that things will remain as we left them
here We usually come back In the autumn
70 nnd that these railroads have put forth
their hands and feet and grasped the
streets and avenues OF the city. Even
while we sleep they are work, growing like
gourds and mushrooms. do not expect 10
accomplish much by this resolution but I
hope to call attention to the spirit Of law
lessness on the part OF some Of the corpor-
ations of the District. My attention was
called to this matter this morning whils
| walking to the Capitol
the most beautiful corners of the city being
| ruined by this encroachment- Years ago we
tried to prevent roads from laying tracks at
this place. but without success. They have
made II the most dangerout part OF the city.
The cable cars now tear up the hin and
swing around the corner at q terrific rate OF
speed, endangering all who venture from the
| sidewalks.
An Ugly Shed.
This morning found on this public cor
ner an ugly shed with a roof Che color OF
red mud / asked the meaning and some
one told me that the railway company
wanted transfer station on that corner
Nothing ought to be put at that place tend
ing TO obstruct travel. or to Lessen the
beauty OF the treasury building.
Ihere is much more traffic on the streets
than that Of the railway company. We
know well enough that this stand VIII. not
long be the only nuisance az the corner.
There will soon be q collection OF peanut
| l do not know who has given authority
tor the construction OF such an unslghtly
structure for the convenience Of q railroad
| company. I want to ind out
/ want to ask the Commissioner II they
have given permission to further block up
a thoroughfare. and to tell US by what
authority they have done this.
Senator Daniel said: i thoroughly agree
nf ha afcx
Maine. i have this very morning seen the
obstruction. and I do not know of a more
inappropriate public nuisance than the
hideous structure now being erected"
A to Hancock Circle.
Senator Voorhees, said: Il would like n
offer an amendment taking In another law
less proceeding on the part Of the street
railway companies OF this city. Some years
ago in extending New Hampshire avenue q
circle was laid out at the intersection OF
10th street to be improved later. It was
called Hancock Circle with the view Of
erecting thereon an equestrian statue Of
Gen. Hancock. Today the Chevy Chase
Railway Company have put tracks through
that circle and have cut IL apart jus; as
you would cut pie. utterly destroying its
beauty and utility.
Il should like TO know by what authority
these tracks have been laid across the
circle"
tne l<aW-
Mr.. Hale suggested that the two subjects
should be separated. and Mr.. VOORHEES,
agreed TO this. saying: I'VE are running
along here without reference to law, 80 far
as the street railroads OF this city are con-
cerned.
The F street road has been ignoring the
| law ever since the first OF July and has not
shown any disposition 20 comply with the
statutes requiring them TO change their
a re NOT anf
with the privileges granted them. but they
| must take more.
They take a beautiful circle laid out for
q purpose and smash IL all 10 pieces. Here
they are erecting unsightly structures at
| the doors OF the treasury building There
| Is no authority for these encroachments.
and am tired OF this spirit of lawlessness" !"
Senator Sherman said that he agreed that
II the shed were erected without the au-
thortty Of Congress some action ought to
be taken. but he understood that the shed
was needed for the convenience of the pub
lie and probably some one in authority had
given permission for its erection.
Depends on How You Look at IL.
Whether this is an outrage or not" sug-
gested Senator Platt depends largely upon
| the peculiar characteristics Of the individual
who looks at It. l have been In the habit
| Of taking the car at that particular place
and have suffered from having to stand in
the rain or snow and have hoped that some
thlng would De done To relleve passengers.
/ have felt very grateful TO the Com
missioners and the railroad company for
causing this convenience TO be erected.
Probably my aesthetic notions are not
| quite UP TO those OF the Senator from
Maine. but 1 would suggest that IL IL In q
mere matter OF paint. Il would be easy 70
remedy the fault by changing the color.
say to a delicate pink. 1t is known to be
a fashion in Congress to criticise railroad
companies.
Some yeas ago we criticised them until
we worked ourselves UP to the point OF
passing the law which resulted In the cable
system being adopted. For myself prefer
| the old-fashioned horse railroad TO the ca
BILE. We heard for several years that we
could not have overhead trolleys. as they
would kill so many people. We adopted the
cable system instead and have been killing
twice as many ever since.
1t seems to me that, In addition TO their
high speed. the company put into Its gongs
a peculiar kind of metal so that they make
noise enough TO frighten a man until he
cannot get OF OF the track when IL rings.
We had better go a little slow about these
things, and object TO the present consider
alton of the resolution"
VIII Watch These Corporations.
There is nothing pressing about this
resolution" said Senator Hale, q notice
that whenever anyone calls attention to
infractions Of the law by the railroad COM
panies in this city there is someone very
eager to show that they are far better than