Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-04
DIS TRiCT D AY
Local Measures Considered in the
House.
The Railroad Cab Bill Diseased nj
Sene Length-OppositiOn
Developed.


after the action Upon a report from the
appropriations committee and setting the
time for the army bill to be considered,
Chairman Babcock secured the floor. The
first measure called up was House Joint
resolution ISL. providing as follows: That
the Commissioners Of the District OF CO.
lumbia be authorized to locate on the
streets or parts Of streets adjoining
the stations of any railroad company in
the District OF Columbia a stand for
cabs. carriages and other vehicles for
the conveyance of passengers to and
from the railroad stations, the serv-
ice to be established by the railroad COM
panies- The rates of charges for the serv-
ice to be rendered by the railroad COM
panies shall be fixed by the Commissioners
Of The District of Columbia, and that at
no time shall the schedule exceed the
rates now In force in the city of Wash
ington.
The Favorable Report.
The report upon the resolution says:
The resolution herewith recommended
avoids the objectionable feature of bill
granting the sole right to the Baltimore
and Potomac railroad which was laid upon
the table. No exclusive rights are con-
veyed by the resolution herewith report
ed, and to the Commissioners of the Dis
trict of Columbia is granted the full au-
thoTity, both as to the location of such
cab stands and the regulations for the
services rendered. 1t will add TO the trans
portation facilities Of the city of Wash
inston to great degree. The service
which is proposed to be established under
this bill is similar to that now in
all of the large cities of the country. 1t
may be said. in conclusion. that the meas
ure has the appreciation of the District
Commissioners"
Mr.. McEyven's OppOsitfOn.
Mr.. McEwen of New Jersey opposed the
| resolution on the ground that it gives the
railroad companies a monopoly of the cab
business and shuts out men who desire to
operate their own cabs
Mr.. Babcock, in replying to a question
from Mr.. Tawney said the bill did not
confer a monopoly. The object of the bill
was to allow the railroad companies to
conduct a clean. reliable and cheap service
for the benefit of the public.
Mr.. Fitzgerald of Massachusetts opposed
the bill. He thought the privilege should
not be granted to railroad companies to
take charge of the service, as it would de-
prive men of work
Mr.. Babcock said that, on the contrary.
the operation of the resolution would put
additional men to work.
Mr.. Grosvenor said the resolution pre-
sented a question OF comfort and economy
for the travelling public which was more
important than the question of how many
filthy, dilapidated old hacks are allowed
to stand at the depots.
Mr.. Grosvenor spoke of the cab system in
operation in New York city by the rail-
roads, where a person is transported from
the ferry to the hotels for % cents, instead
Of paying the old exorbitant rates ofssl to
Mr.. McEwen asked why, IL it is advan-
tageous for railroad companies to conduct
cab business, 1t would not be for their
| interest to open bakeries.
xI,-k "a
competent for railroads to bring passengers
to Washington 1t was reasonable that they
should deliver them at their destinations.
The cab system, as well as the baggage
delivery, was merely a part of great
modern system of transportation facilities
for the public.
Debating the Bill.
In the course of the consideration of the
bill Mr.. Walker Of Massachusetts, branched
out into discussion of the benefits of con-
| solidation and combination of industries
/ He said it has been demonstrated that in
| such combinations the wages of every one
engaged in them were increased. He said
that If the railroads of this country were
consolidated 1t would be much easier for
Congress to control them than IT is now.
| Mr.. Todd of Michigan made a speech
against trusts and combines, and deplored
| the tendency of the times to drift all en-
| terprises in this direction.
Mr.. Babcock called attention to an error
in the bill, and at his request ii was cor
rected SO that the rates shall be the same
| as those now charged in New York, where
| the fare begins with Is cents and increases
| according to the distance Travelled.
Mr.. Williams of Mississippi opposed the
resolution. He said if the railroad COM
| panies want to establish cab service they
can be given that privilege by the District
Commissioners.
Mr.. Grggs of New York advocated the
resolution and told of the successful opera
| ton of the plan in New York. Mr.. Ben
| nett of New York spoke along the same
| lines He added that the cab system in
| Washington was a miserable one and
| should be supplanted by adequate facilities
\ for transporting the public.
After debating the bill for the greater
part Of the afternoon the opponents de-
| manded a yea and nay vote on 1t, which
| was in progress when this report closed.
The cab service bill passed the House by
| a vote of $50 to a.