The times., 1898-02-15
THE BILL REGONMIITED
A Lively debate Over the Eek,
ington Railway Measure.
BIDS NOT TO BE RESTRICTED
The Matter Returned 10 the Com
mittte hy tle Itouse with Two
Important AmcnduIeats-No tx
elusive Cap SCI yi,e- ine Cther
District Business Considered.

The House considered yesterday sev-
eral bills relating to the District of
Columbia most of which We're passed.
Two of the important ones. however.
did net run the gauntlet Of the opposl-
tion.
The bin to grant to the Baltimore
and Potomac Railroad the exclusive
right to the cab service at their st@t-on
WAS laid on the table, from which IL
cannot be taken except by a two-uhirds
vote, which is understood ii cannot OBJ
tam.
The bin to amend the charter Of the
lexington and Soldiers Home RAM
way Company. the Maryland and
Washington Railway Company, ana
the Belt Line Railway Company oc-
oasioned a long debate. Ii was 1lrst at
tackled by Mr.. Hepburn. of Iowa. who
pointed out that II was proposed TO
limit the sale of the other railways TO
the lexington read He desired an
open sale. Mr. Grosyenor also attack
ed this feature of the bili.
Mr. Richardson explained that the
Capital Traction Company had the
right to purchase other railroads, and
the lexington Railroad had not such
right. 1t was proposed TO give the lat
ter such right
Mr. Grosvenor wanted a provision
that any purchaser shall secure the un-
secured debt of the railways proposed
to be consolidated
Mr. Richardson explained that the
bin simply authorized the lexington
road to become the purchaser ef the
Belt Line, and that any one could pur-
chase il if operated under the Belt Line
charter.
Nh. Simpson said that if the bill was
not passed the Capital Traction Com
pany would be by law the only bidder
in the District CT Columbia.
Mr.. Cochran, OF Missouri. made an
argunaep. Cor provision that the new
purchases shall be operated in a
modern way.
Mr.. Grosvenor gave notice of an
amendment to recommit the bill
with instructions that the bidding be
not restricted. ami that Congress snail
ultimately dictate the terms under
which the roads shall be run. Mr.. Groy-
yenor wanted 10 know ii the champions
of anti-monOpoly would be with him.
Mr.. Simpson wanted to know II Mr..
Grcsvenor desired 20 have the Capital
Traction Company as the only bidder
Mir Grosvenor considered this an IN
sinuation. He said he mad nothing TO
do with the Capital Traction Com lany-
Mir. Simpson disciaimed any such IN
sinuation.
MIR. Hepburn offered a great many
amendments in line with tie argument
OF Mr. Grosvenor. Nh BabcoCk moved
that the bill. With the amendments. be
ordered to a third reading.
Mr. Grosvenor insisted on his motion
to recommit the bill with his instruc-
ton" AID an amendment by Ar. Will
Jams that Congress TX a period for the
operation of the ROADS.
Tie Williams amendment Was car
ried The GrOsvenur motion was car
ried by viva voee vote. Tellers were
demanded. The vote resulted: Ayes.
81: nays. 56.
The Grosvenor motion authorized the
lexington and Soldiers Home Com
pany and any other corporation in the
District of Columbia or amy person or
persons to become bidder 81 pur-
chaser. of the property and franchises
described in this bill, and further
provided that the committee shall pre-
scribe specific limitations and speci-
fications under and by which the said
property shall be operated by any such
purchase,
When the bill relating TO the sale of
gas in the District was taken up. Mr.,
Mudd, of Maryland. moved an amend
ment calling on the committee to in
Vestigate and report To the House at
tkts session on the charges which have
been made as to excessive telephone
rates in the District
Mr.. Dockery hoped that the investf-
cation would be accurate and prompt
He thought such action advisable in
view of fixing charges in the appro-
priation bin. 1t would be well for the
conference on the District aDpropria-
tion bill to have all tile facts before
1t as furnished by The House.
The amendment Of Mr.. Mudd was
carried. The OdeH resolution proyid-
ing for an Investigation of the charges
fer gas was also passed
The bill to quiet land titles was
passed to a third reading. but was laid
over on motion of Mr. Grosy enor until
1T had been engrossed and laid before
the House.
The bill to grant certain burial sites
to Washington Parish for the benefit of
the Congressional Cemetery was
passed.
The bill to prohibit the aduIteratfon
OF candy in the District of Columbia
was passed with the amendment that
the penalty be fixed at not more than
SlOO instead of not less than $50
The House adjourned at $40 D. m
until today at noon.