Evening star., 1900-12-11
GRADE CROSSINGS
Pennsylvania Railroad Bill Acted on
by House District Committee,
some AMENDMENTS AD0PFFI
Payments of the Company and
District Made Clear.
ELECTRIC RAILW A Y S

The House committee on the District of
Columbia today took up for consideration
the Pennsylvania railroad grade crossing
bill and favorably reported 1t. Engineer
Commissioner Beach of the District govern
ment Mr.. John Cassels, Mr.. s. c. Neale
and Mr.. W. A. McKenny for the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company and Mr. George
E Hamilton for the Southern Railway
Company appeared before the committee
Mr. Evan II. Tucker was also present.
Upon suggestion of Chairman Babcock
the bill was read by sections, to be dis
cussed as members of the committee de-
sired information.
When the paragraph was reached author
izing the railroad company to temporarily
use streets or avenues to accommodate
it's traffic pending the improvements Chalr-
man Babcock suggested to captain Beach
that it was understood that this was only
Temporary permission and would end win
the completion of the work and the streets
restored to their normal condition. captain
Beach said that such was the understand
ing. Mr. Cassells added that such other
streets or avenues would be used as were
necessary.
Acquisition of the Property.
Mr. Mudd asked If the railroad company
proposed to acquire the property in the
streets to be closed
Captain Beach said it was provided that
the streets could not be closed until the
property was acquired. He said the propo-
sftion to close F. D and streets was put
in at the suggestion of the Commissioners
on account of the angle created by the i'm
proVements.
Mr.. Mudd called attention to the provision
authorizing the changing OF the llhes anu
grades of any streets to meet conoI'loiis % ~, 4
arising out of the improvements, ana SAID
that the question of drainage to property
should be looked after in this connection.
Mr. Mudd also suggested clearing up Wnat
relating to bearing the cost of paving un-
der the arches of the bridges over the
streets.
Captain Beach said the railroad company
was to bear that cost. Upon Mr.; Muua
suggestion a change was made in the pune
tuation which would make TINS stipuIatioh
clear Mr.. Mudd also pointed out that the
provision requiring the District and the
United States to share the expense OF con
structing the approaches to the bridges
over the streets was not clear, but seemed
to load it all on the District. An amend
ment offered by Mr.. Mudd was adopted,
making it plain that the United States ana
District Of Columbia should share equa.4y
the expenses.
Assessment of Damages.
At this noint the following amendment
was adopted to the condemnation section OF
the BILL
provided that in every case In which an
assessment Of damages an award shall
have been returned by the appraisers. the
company upon paying into court the amount
so assessed or awarded, may enter upon
and take possession Of the lands and prop
ertv covered thereby, irrespective of
whether exceptions to said assessment or
award shall be filed or not, and the subse-
quent proceedings shall not interfere with
or affect such possession, but shall only
affect the amount of the compensation to be
paid
An amendment was also adopted provid-
ing that the rights Of acquisition and con-
demnaton given the Southern Railway
Company in common with the Pennsylvania
railway shall extend to 'its successors"
Chairman Babcock called attention to the
provision which seemed to confne the sec
retary of War to contracting with the
railroad company for but4uing the add
tional bridge across the Potomac. 1t was
explained that the railroad company could
build it cheaper than any one else. but
there was no objection to inserting the word
"or others This was accordingly done
Mr.. Mudd wanted to know why two
bridges were necessary.
Captain Beach said there were several
reasons While it was true that one bridge
could be built cheaper than two, at the
same time it must be borne in mind that
the railway yards would be located at the
south end Of the tracks and there would
be at times great congestion of traffic. 1t
would not be practicable to operate a draw
in a bridge 100 feet wide, such as would
be necessary to accommodate all the traffic
and the public travel; so 1T was thought
best to build another bridge some distance
above
The Electric Railways.
Attention was called to the fact that cleo
trio railway companies are authorized to
use the highway bridge upon such terms
as they may agree upon among themselves
without reference to the consent Of the
authorities.
Upon Mr.. Babcocks suggestion 1t was
provided that the Washington, Alexandria
and Mount Vernon Electric Railway Com
pany be allowed to use the highway bridge
and that other electric roads be permitted
to use the bridge upon such terms as may
Captain Beach asked that an amendment
be adopted that no dynamo used on the
electric roads the bridge shall be con-
nected with the ground, but that they shall
have return wires to prevent electrolysis
The entire bill was read by the commit
tee before adjourning and was then unan-
imously reported favorably to the House
with the amendments.
Chairman Babcock suggested that the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad grade crossing
bill be taken up next Thursday for consid-
GRAFTON by the committee, and this was
adopted