Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-01-19

of which by Congress would stop the Po-
tomac Electric Power Company in its work
of laying subways in the streets of this
city for electric lighting. came up in the
Senate Immediately after the morning hour
today, and precipitated very lively dis
cussion, which called out some bitter Ian
guage.
Mr.. Cockrell called up his resolution and
asked that it 3e put to vote. 1t was
carried in the committee of the whole hut
before it could be finally disposed of by
the Senate Mr.. Hill of New York arose and
made n long argument against The joint
resolution.
Mr.. Hill Takes n Hand.
Mr.. Hill began by wanting to know
whether there had been any report made to
the Serate on the joint resolution. The
Vice President replied that there was no
report. Mr.. Hill then wanted to know why
this most extraordinary measure should
pass the Senate"
Mr.. Cockrell replied that there was moth
ing extraordinary" about his resolution
1T states on it's face said Mr. Cock
rell, why the streets and alleys of the
city of Washington should not be torn ND
until general system of subways has been
determined upon. Two committees of Con-
gress OF the Senate and House. have this
matter before them and during the Ia
session we prevented anything being done
IN the way of tearing I'D the streets until
Congress can pass upon this subject.
No Statute TO Prevent,
Mr. Hill asked Mr.. Cockrell if he could
point cut the particular statute which pre-
vented the Potomac company from extend
ing Its ccnduits, this being the purpose of
his resolution.
If it is already forbidden" said Mr..
Hill, why should this legislation be en-
ironically
There is no legl ;lation,' he said, that
prevents this company from doing pre-
clsely what 1t is doing today. Therefore it
Is no answer to say that the action now
been resorted to through previous legisla-
Ton; The fact that streets are being torn
up by the laying of conduits is no aryu-
ment why there should be no more electric
nsntihe ne IN the city Of Washington. Ac-
corulns TO the statements made here We
must stop the tearing up of streets until a
general subway bill is passed by any COM
pany."
Mr. Stewards Interiection.
Except by the monopoly" said Mr..
Stewart, interrupting
Except by the monopoly" continued Mr..
Hill. Il assert that this new company has
d perfect right to do what it is doing now"
Mr. Hill wanted to know If the acts of
the Potomac company We're illegal. why
application had not been made to the courts
TO stop the work. He had regretted tn 500
the miserable way in which the straets of
this city had been lighted during the last
year, ard he hoped 20 enjoy the better
lighting facilities in the future.
Litigation in the Courts.
Mr.. Hill continued to say this whole mat
ter had been litiga:ad in the courts of 1be
District of Columbia. No one, he said.
knew this better than the United States
Electric Lighting Company which had
rushed into court to get an Injunction
against the Potomac company to prevent
them from doing this particular work.
of COURSE" he said, they are doing
what they can for themselves. They as
sumo to be acting in the interest of the
pubic, but they were looking after their
own reVel ue l never knew a monopoly
that has gone to the courts that did not
presume to be acting in the interests Of
the public. But the courts decided that
the Potomac company had right to pro-
ceed. as i is now doing. and to construct
it's conduits.'
Mr.. Hill said he had had some talk with
the people Of this city, and said he would
venture the statement that they want COM
petition ard hail With delight any oppor-
tunity to 81 cure additional lighting facili-
ties. He said it was a silly plea to saw
that these additional facilities should not
be given because slch action led to tear
ing up the streets.
why not tell frankly just what there is
to this question:" said Mr. Hill These
vigorous and energetic young men came
here from the city of New York In my own
state. They were anxious to do something
for themselves and for the people of the
District of Columbia. If they are right they
should be sustained. There is some contro-
'versy about an understanding that existed
at the last session of Congress by which
mo- 70 10
should enact law providing for a general
system OF subways in this city. When is
that to be done? Echo answers when?
Where is there bill for that purpose,
either in the House the Senate? What
bill is being considered by any committee
bearing on this subject?'
General System of Subyyays.
Mr.. Faulkner said there was q bill before
the committee on the District of Columbia
to provide general system of subways,
and that 1t was under consideration by a
subcommittee which, he believed, was hold
ing a meeting today.
when was that bill introduced?' asked
Mr.. HILL
Il believe during the last session of the
present Congress" replied Mr.. Faulkner.
when Is the committee likely to report
on it?'' asked Mr.. Hill.
M-. Faulkner: 1T is impossible to an
swer tnat question. / hope during the pres
ent session, and 1 hope that bill will be
enacted into law before Congress ad-
journs."
Mr.. Hill: 'If the committee had given to
this subway bill the attention it has de-
voted to effort to stop the Potomac
company in its work, the subway bill
would have been completed"
Mr.. Bacon objects to Criticism.
Mr.. Bacon arose and said he was a mem
Der Of the subway committee and did not
like to be criticised as the senator from
New York had just criticised the commit
tee. He said that the various details nee
essary to be considered in framing such a
bill consumed much time. He said there
was no lack of inclination on the part of
the subcommittee to prosecute its work.
and that 1t was doing so as rapidly as pos
sible. For himself he was not disposed to
stop the Potomac Electric Power COMPANY
from going on with its work pending the
consideration of the subway bill
Mr.. Hill said that the resolution before
the Senate was mere trick and a scheme.
No Trick or Scheme.
Mr. Gallinger was quickly on his feet and
vigorously denied that there was any trick
or scheme about the resolution.