Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-18
Railroad Matters Discussed at Last
Nights Meeting.
RAPID TRANSIT STRONGLY URGED
What the Different Committees
Have So Far Accomplished.
TIL ANKS FOR THE STAR


sve subject for discussion at the regular
monthly meeting Of the North Capitol and
lexington Citizens Association, which was
held last night at the corner of Lincoln
avenue and r street northeast. The meet
ing was presided over by the president of
the association, Mr.. w. G. Henderson, and
there was a full attendance of members
The report of the committee on railways
was presented by Mr.. T. P. Kane, in the
absence of the chairman of that committee
who detailed at length the efforts that had
been made during the month by the COM
mittec, assisted by members of the ex-
ecutive committee, to further legislation
requiring the lexington and Soldiers Home
Railway Company to dispense with horses
on their lines within the city limits, and
adopt some approved modern motive power
He stated that five bills and two joint reso-
lutions have been introduced during the
present session of Congress to amend the
CHARTERS OF the lexington ard Soldiers
Home and Belt line companies, and that
the committee had had several interviews
with ChaiI1nen Mcmillan and Babcock of
the Senate and House District committees
In regard to the provisions in these various
bills, but as yet no definite legislation had
been shaped on the subject, owing to the
opposing interests involved. He said that
Chairman Babcock informed the committee
Tat there would be no difficulty in getting
the necessary legislation through Congress
If the railroad representatives and the citi-
zens could agree upon some measure that
would be reasonably satisfactory to all
concerned. but the trouble is that no one of
the bills introduced and now before the
committee meets the requirements Of the
sitL alton.
Time Limit.
The committee, Mr. Kane stated, called
the attention Of both chairmen to the en-
tire absence from any Of the bills prepared
by the representatives of the railroad COM
panies Of proper and ne ,essary limitations
and penalties. and suggested to them that
Whatever bill Is finally reported should
not only empower, but require these COM
Lanies to do the things which it authorizes,
nix & limit of time within which they shall
do them, and impose proper and sufficient
penaiues Tor Noncompliance with it's pro-
visions. Chairman Mcmillan he said dis
claimed all responsibility for any Of the
bills which he has .has far introduc ed
saying that he presented them at the re-
quest OK either the Commissioners of the
DlStr1ct or the representatives of the rail-
road companies, and that he had in course
OF prepare ton bill. which he hoped short
~ to complete and introduce, which wouli
pave the way to a reasonably satisfactory
service on the lexington and Belt lines
he reported Senator Mcmillan as stating
that under his proposed bill the service on
these lines would not be as good a sery-
ice as ne would like to give the patrons
OF these lines, but that, under the circum-
stances which surround this case, it prob
ably would be the best that could be had.
that the bill would give the lexington
company some of the extensions they have
asked for, but at the same time REQUIRE
them to dispense with horses on all their
lines within the city limits. 1t would allow
them to experiment with pneumatic motors,
but would fix a limit Of time within which
such experimenting should cease and i'm,
pose proper penalties for neglect or refusal
10 comply with Its requirements Mr. Kane
stated that the committee suggested that
the adoption of Senate bill 1856 preDared
by the association, would be the best and
easiest solution of the whole question as
1t would enable the railroad to do what
tney mad expressed a desire to do, it would
give the patrons of the line what they
wanted, and it would relieve the commit
tee of the worry of making up a bill. In
reP.y to this suggestion it was stated that
the railroad people did not like the as
sociation's bill.
Some Interviews.
Mr.. Kane further reported that President
Henderson and himself arranged yesterday
with Chairman Babcock to give the repre-
sehtatlVes OF the association hearing on
the railroad bills Friday morning, but upon
reaching the committee room at the an
pointed time Mr.. Babcock Informed tho
committee, consisting of Messrs j. F.. BAN
croft and w. J. Fowler of the executive
committee. and Mr.. r. P. Kane of the rail-
way committee. that owing to the absence
of the representatives of the lexington
road from the city the hearing would have
to be postponed until Monday next at 1919
o'clock.
Mr.. Kane also reported that an interview
had been had with President Dunlop of the
Capital Traction Company, in regard to
the proposed extension of the L street line
OF that company down Florida avenue 10
North Capitol street, but there is no present
prospect of that being DONE as Mr.. Dunlop
hoI
that they did not have authority now to
build the extension, the time within which
the act required them to complete the line
having expired. and that it would now he
OF authority from Congress-
Mr.. W. G. Henderson, chairman of the
executive committee reported that the at
tention Of the Commissioners had been
called during the month to the condition of
the tracks of the lexington line on North
Capitol street north Of New York avenue
and asked that the company be required to
pave between the rails and for two feet
adjacent thereto, In accordance with the
terms of the act permitting that company
to occupy said street, and that the Commits
sioners had replied saying that the COM
pany had been notified to put the space
mentioned in proper condition within thirty
days. otherwise 1t would be done by the
District at the company's expense.
Thanking the Press.
MI. Kane, as chairman OF the press COM
mittee, also reported that the committee
had been active among the local news
papers In keeping them fully advised as
to the work Of the association, and cor
rectly informed as to the needs of the
community it represents, and the position
1t assumed with respect to certain bills
pending before Congress affecting favorably
or unfavorably the interests of that section
of Washington, to the end that the Coon
GRAFTON and support Of the press might he
secured in the efforts Of the association 10
obtain proper and necessary legislation dur
1Eg the present session of Congress for the
betterment of conditions in that section.
He stated that he found the press of
Washington at all times ready and willing
to respond to any proper appeal for the
advancement of the interests of the people,
and that without exception the daily pa
pers of Washington had eGitorially recog-
nized the justice of the associations de-
mands for such immediate legislation on
the street railroad question as would Of
ford the relief sought, and had commended
the merits Of the associations bill as hest
calculated to bring the desired results
about. he stated further that The Star
had no; only comm ended the merits of
this bill TO the considera ton Of Congress.
Tut had editorially exposed the dement's
and defects of the bills introduced at the