Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-08
Local Measures Acted On by the
Senate Committee.
SOME STREET RAILWAY LEGISLATION
Two Meetings a Week to Be Held
Hereafter.
THE SESS SION TODAY

present A large number of subjects were
brought before the committee, but, con-
trary to expectation, they did not include
the dollar gas bill or the bill for the char
tering of new gas company. The SUBJ
committee on the dollar gas bill is not yet
ready to report and will hold a further
meeting on Tuesday next in the hope that
the bill may be ready for presentation to
the full committee by Friday.
In view of the large number of House
bills now on the committees calendar it
was decided to hold two meetings week
hereafter, and in accordance with this ar
rangcment the committee will have an
extra meeting next Monday morning.
There was quite lively discussion on the
subject of Senate bill 2+6S, which relates to
the sale of lots III Congressional cemetery.
This bill was recently reported favora5iy
to the Senate, but a few days later was re-
committed.
An effort was made this morning to get
the committee to reconsider its action
whereby the bill was returned from the
Senate, but the committee refused to
practically disposes of the bill for this
session.
metropolitan Railway Route.
The Senate bill (25oD amending the char
ter of the Metropolitan railroad by chang
irg it's route at the south and west ter
MIMI was taken up in committee, and a
favorable report was ordered upon it. The
bill is intended to give the Metropolitan
road access to the wharves by means of a
single track, and to enable it to reach the
Georgetown College and the union pas
senger station. now being built, at the end
of the Aqueduct bridge. The routes OF
these extended lines are as follows: From
the intersection of IL and l. streets
southwest, along ID to south by a
single track underground electric roau'
thence west along street to Water street,
northwest along Water street to l.; thence
east along l. to the double tracks at Il
and l. streets; from the intersection or
and Both streets, west to 18th, south to
Prospect avenue, east to 18th and north to
o, there joining the present route. Inc
directors increased in number from
seven to nine. The Commissioners are
given the right to locate the tracks on
Water street SO as rot to interfere with
tie Washington and Georgetown and Belt
line roads.
Permission is given the Metropolitan
road to Use the Belt line tracks on Water
street, and the two companies may go into
court to settle the rate of compensation for
this privilege. Senator Faulkner called the
bill up in the morning hour, and 1t was
clined to object in the belief that this was
the L street Belt line extension bill. but on
being assured that it was not that measure
and had 10 reference whatever to l. street
u,
A Charter Extended.
House bill S63S, which amends the charter
of the Maryland and Washington Railroad
Company, was approved by the committee
without amendment. The charter of this
expires this month. and this legis-
lation is necessary to enable the road to be
built without incorporation Strict pro-
visions have been inserted prohibiting the
use of steam or overhead trolley within
the District Mr.. Faulkner reported the bill
today favorably, and it Is now on the
calendar.
Railroad Taxes Reduced.
The committee agreed to favorable re-
port being made by Mr.. Mcmillan on SEN
ate bill 2545. which reduces taxes on the
Rock Creek and Tenleytown
roads. The bill, as drawn. not only reduces
taxes in the future, but RENTED the taxes
in excess Of the figure named paid during
the period since the incorporation of the
roads, thus constituting a drawback. The
would not consent to make such
and the bill as reported will
contain only a provision for the reduction
of the taxes from and after the passage of
the act without reference to taxes that
have been paid in the past.
East Washington Belt Line.
Senator Mcmillan was directed to make a
favorable report on Senate bill 1889, in
the East Washington Belt Line
Railroad Company. The original bill was
displaced by substitute submitted by the
District Commissioners. The differences
between the two bills are explained in the
letter from the Commissioners, of which
the following is an extract
The substitute bill authorizes a single
track railway only, and permits an issue
of capital stock to the amount of the es-
timated cost of the construction and equip
ment of the railway and buildings; it omits
the provision in the House bill Ga dupli-
cate of the Senate bilD for horse cars and
also for an issue of bonds; the House bill
provides for a tax of per cent on the gross
earnings; the substitute bill relieves the
company from any personal tax for the
first five years of the roads operation
and imposes a tax of 4 per cent on the
gross receipts thereafter. The substitute
bill further requires the commencement of
construction in one year and completion
in two years. and calls for a guarantee de-
post of $1,000 to be made in sixty days
after the passage of the act. The original
bill requires completion In three years and
does not name any time for commencement
of the work. The substitute bill changes
the route from 18th and 18th streets east
to 14th and 18th streets east. In this
letter the Commissioners also state that
one of them was Of the opinion that the
road cannot be made to pay expenses.
Accompanying the report on the bill is
a good deal of matter referring to the
attitude OF the occupants Oh Oh street east
for and against the bill. A drawing was
submitted to show the location Of the pro-
testing tenants and owners, and those
who favored the project. The bill was re-
ported favorably and placed on the Sen
ate calendar.
The Rock Creek Railway.
Senator Faulkner was directed to make
a favorable report on House bill S331, per-
hitting the Rock Creek Railroad Company
to lease or purchase lines of street rail-
roads that may connect with its line. The
bill authorizes the company to contract
with any connecting or intersecting line
for the joint management, lease or
purchase of such line, and to OPP
crate the same in connection with
it's original line. In order to prevent the
watering of stock the bill provides that
the means necessary for such Atransaction
may be provided by an increase OF the
capital stock, not to exceed, however, the
actual consideration paid or the actual
cost of the necessary equipment.
1t is provided that only one fare shall be
charged for a single continuous ride in the
District over all the lines affected by such
a contract. The Rock Creek road is au-
thorized to change it's name to that of the
CAPITAL Traction Company. 1t is believed
that this bill is intended to enable the Rock
Creek road to enter into a business ar
rangement with the Metropolitan line, in
order to carry out the law already in eff