The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-12
REPORTED TO THE HOUSE.
Favorable Action ON One of the Rail
road Grade Crossing Bills.

road Grade Crossing Bills.
/! The House Committee on the District OF
! Columbia yesterday favorably reported
I mia Railroad Grade Crossing bill. There
we're present during the consideration OF
I the bill Engineer Commissioner Beach
John Casscls, S. c. Neale. and W. A. Nc
! Kenny, representing the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company, and George E. Hamil-
! ton, representing the Southern Railway
4 Company Evan H. Tucker was also pres
/ ent.
:. The bill was read by sections by Chair
man Dabcock in order that the members
! of the committee might discuss its diff
ferent paragraphs. When the paragraph
was reached authorizing the railroad COM
| pany to use streets or avenues to accom-
modate its traffic pending the i'm
provements, Chairman Babcock suggested
to Commissioner Beach that this was only
| temporary permission and would end
with the completion of the work. Cap
tain Beach said that was the understand
ing, and that the railroad company had
agreed to restore the streets to their nor
NAL condition.
In response to question from Mr.. Mudd,
Captain Beach said the streets could not
be closed until the property had been ac-
quired b. the railroad company. The
proposition, he said, to close F, d, and C
Streets was put in the bill at the sug-
gestion of the Commissioners. Attention
was called by Mr.. Mudd to the provision
authorizing the changing OF the lines and
grades of any street 10 meet conditions
arising out Of the improvements. Mr.
81 Irotv NJ
abutting property should be looked after
in this connection. At the suggestion of
Mr.. Mudd the language in the bill was
made clear as to the expense Of construct
ing the approaches TO the bridges. This
shall be borne equally by the United
States and the District Of Columbia. Cap
tain Beach explained that the railroad
company was TO bear the expense of paw
ing under the arches OF the bridges over
the streets.
When the section relating to the con-
demnation of land was reached. the fol-
lowing amendment was adopted:
Provided. That in every case IN which.
on assessment of damages or an award
shall have been returned by the apprais-
ers, the company upon paying into the
court the amount so assessed or award
ed, may enter upon and take possession
of the lands and property covered thereby
irrespective of whether exceptions to said
assessment or award shall be filed OF not,
and the subsequent proceedings shall not
interfere with or affect such possession,
but shall only affect the amount of COM
pensation TO be paid
An amendment was also adopted pro-
vidng that the rights of acquisition and
condemnation given the Southern Railway
Company in common with the Pennsyl-
hal N
cessors.'
The paragraph authorizing tie Secretary
Of War to contract with the railroad com
pany TO build the additional bridge across
the Potomac was amended by inserting
the words "or others"
In reply to question from Mr.. M:dd.
Commissioner Beach said two bridges had
been recommended instead of one because
one bridge of the size sufficient tc meet
all requirements would offer considerable
obstruction 10 navigation, and make II
difficult TO copstruc. a draw. There would
be less obstruction 10 navigation &c have
two bridges.
There was como discussion as TO The
right OF the electric line to go over the
new bridge which is to take the place OF
The Long Bridge. the language in the bill
on this point being somewhat obscure. II
was finally amended so that the electric
line should have the same right as ii now
possesses.
Commissioner Beach submitted the fol-
lowing amendment which was adopted:
NO dynamo furnishing power to this por-
lion Of the road shall be in any manner
with the ground"
The reading of the bill was then con-
cluded and on motion of Mr.. Mudd the bill
and amendments were ordered favorably
10 the House.
The committee will take up the Balti-
more and Ohio Railroad crossing bill to-
morrow.