Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-14
Again Considered by the House
Committee.
THE BONUS ASKED FOR DISCUSSED
Dissatisfaction With the CON-
pany's Figures Shown.
EC x l N GTON CT THEM

The House committee on the District of
Columbia today resumed considera ton OF
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad grade
crossing bill. The proceedings were in ex-
ecutive session.
Before the doors were closed, however, q
delegation of property holders of lexington
appeared to further protest against the
proposed amendment to locate the railroad
round house in close proximity to that sec
| ton. The delegation included Mr. Grenville
Lewis. Mr. P. A. Auer, Mr.. s. NJ. Lertzell,
Mr.. X. H. Strother, Mr.. W. s. Chase, MIR.
w. R. Kennedy, Mr. M. L. Bundy, Mr.. Ii.
E. Blau, Mr.. j. H. Lane, Mr.. w. N Irwin,
Mr. Solon G.. kemon, Mr.. A X. Serven, Mr..
q. A. Lyon. jr, Mr. 1. B. Linton, Mr.. Geo.
A. Bean and Mr.. F. Menefee.
Chairman Babcock explained to the dele
cation that the committee had given yester-
day to public hearings and would have to
take up the bill in executive session today,
SO that further hearing was mpra acticabie.
Discussion With MIR. Bond.
The delegation remained in the hall out
side the committee room during the ses-
sion and engaged in discussion of the
round house proposition with Mr.. Bond,
the general attorney Of the B. and O. Rail-
road Company. After a while Mr.. Bond
was CdlEu lHlO inc cOnmltteo room, and
when he emerged said he had proposition
to make to the Eckingtonians. He pro-
posed that the round house be located
within the ''Y." but as far east as prac-
tioab.e. the plans to be approved by Engi-
neer Commissioner Beach.
An emphatic protest was raised to the
suggestion that the plan be left to the ap-
proval of Captain Beach. No further steps
taken in the 1iracffop
In the meantime the committee remained
In session until compelled to adjourn by
the assembling of the House. The session
was lively and interesting one and re-
suited in no action upon the bill. The first
subject touched upon was the protest Of
the lexington citizens against the location
of the round house. The sentiment Of the
committee seemed to be averse to taking
up this question:. as 1t would delay action
on the bill. and it is said that when the
amendment offered yesterday comes to a
vote it will likely be adopted and the con-
tention referred to the conference aemmit-
tee for final settlement. ..-
motion was made in the comIhittee to
reconsider the vote by which ther Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company's grads9 crossing
bill was ordered reported last Monday, and
that the bill be taken up for amendment.
This motion was voted down. and Mr.. Mudd
was directed to report the Pennsylvania
bill so that 1t will be on the calendar of
the House by next Tuesday, to be called up
for consideration In the House.
Mr.. Cowherd of Missouri gave notice
that he would make minority report to
the House on the Pennsylvania company s
bill Mr.. Cowherds objections are aimed at
the occupancy Of the mail by the railroad
company. He contends that 1t will inter-
fere with the parking plans for the beauti-
flying of the mall. and he will urge. the re-
moval of the 9th street station and tracks
to a point south Of the fish commission
building.
The S1,5OO.OOO Bonus.
The committee then took up the question
Of the bonus of 81, 10000 proposed by the
B. and o. bill to be given to the railroad
company by the United States and Dis
tr1ct of Columbia jointly Consideration Of
this subject involved Immediately the ques-
ton Of the cost Of the proposed improve
ments. Several members Of the committee
challenged the figures in the estimate of
the railroad company's engineers. and OBJ
jected as we'll to the proposition that the
federal government and the District should
be taxed with a share Of the alleged ex-
cessive cost Of the improvements.
1t was pointed out for instance, that in
one case the railroad company surrendered
nineteen acres of ground in changing the
line but that .he new route no longer than
the old one involved the purchase of thir-
ty-four acres, toward which the United
States and the District of Columbia were
asked to contribute.
There seemed to be great deal Of dis
satisfaction among the members of the
committee all around the table with the
figures of the cost of improvements, and q
suggestion that the Engineer Commissioner
and the railroad engineers be called upon
for further information upon this subject
was adopted.
The committee finally had to adjourn, as
stated, witho 1t acting on the bill. Chair
man Babcock will call another meeting as
soon as he can make arrangements for a
full attendance. If the bill is not reported
before Tuesday 1t will have to go over un-
til after the Christmas HOLIDAYS