The times., 1900-12-19

yolyed in parliamentary entanglements
and harassed by flibustering tactics
yesterday Under special order it was
District day, and the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Grade Crossing bill was taken up.
II encountered bitter opposition from the
Democrats, under the joint leadership OF
Mr.. Richardson of Tennessee and Mr..
Cowherd, a member of the Committee on
the District of Columbia. The Demo
cratic contention was that the integrity
of the Mall should be maintained from
railroad agsSGSR.and that the Penn
be removed to
Laiall The bill
Was rot disposed of, and its considera-
tion will be continued today, the House
having taken recess at 6:l0 last even
ing until II O'Clock this morning
The pending bill is TO provide for
eliminating certain grade crossings on
the line of the Baltimore and Potomac
Railroad Company, in the city of Wash
ington. District of Columbia, and requir-
ing said company to depress and elevate
its tracks, and to enable it 10 relocate
vi
other purposes. 1t was called up by Mr..
Babcock. Chairman of the Committee on
the District of Columbia, and its con
sidera;lon entered upon in the Commit
tee of the Whole. Before the first read
ing Of the bill had been concluded MIR.
Baboock asked unanimous consent that
at the close of the first reading the fur-
ther reading might be dispensed with
and that the bill be opened for amend
ment in any section. Mr.. Cowherd OBJ
jected. Mr.. Babcock hen moved that the
first reading of the bill be dispensed
with. Mr.. Wheeler of Kentucky OBJ
jected.
Mr.. Babcoek moved that the committee
arise. that he might ask consent of the
House that the Engineer Commissioner OF
the District of Columbia be permitted TO
coEae upon the floor of the House to ex-
plain the engineering features proposed
in the bill and illustrated by a large map
before the Clerks desk. The committee
accordingly arose, and Mr.. Babcock pre-
sented the request. The Speaker caused TO
be read the rule limiting the privileges
"of the hall of the House or rooms lead
ing thereto. 10 the President and Vice
President Of the United States and their
private secretaries, judges of the Supreme
Court Members OF Congress and Members
elect. contestants in election cases during
the pendency of their cases in the House,
the Secretary and Sergeant at-Arms OF the
Senate, heads of departments, foreign
Ministers, Governors of States, the Archi-
tect Of the Capitol. the Librarian OF Con-
gress and his assis tant in charge of the
Law Library. such persons as have, by
name received the thanks Of Congress, ex-
members of the House of Representatives
who are not interested in any claim or
directly in any bin pending before Con-
gress, md clerks Of committees when
business from their committee is under
consideration
The Speaker declined to entertain the
request Of the gentleman from Wisconsin.
Explanation of the Bill.
The House again resolved itself into
Committee of the Whole. and Mr.. Babcock
proceeded with the explanation of the bill,
saying, in part
The estimated cost of this improvement
on the part Of the Pennsylvania line, or
the Baltimore and Potomac line. reaches
the sum Of nearly $4,000. .0o0. Under this
bill the contribution that is made by the
Government and the District Of Columbia
is practically all in real estate. / am told
by prominent engineers, gentlemen OF long
experience In their profession, that from
an engineering standpoint this is an ideal
aequiescence and one which viii be very
difficult TO improve upon
This proposition. / may say has been
before Congress for many years. 1t was
before the committee when had the hon
or of becoming a member OF this body,
seven years hence.
This particular bill now before us has
been under consideration by the engineers
and the Commissioners of the District of
al Z he
for four years. II embodies, as ! have
stated, what is termed an ideal plan from
an engineering standpoint The cost, in
the opinion of the District Commissioners
and the committee of the House, as well
as Of the Senate District Committee. and
which has been examined into very care
fully, should be divided equitably, and it
has been suggested that for the elevation
proper. that is, the expense incurred in
eleyating the tracks the District of Co.
lumbia and the General Government
should contribute one-half Of the total
amount the other expenses TO be paid by
the railway compang itself.
This, gentlemen OF the committee is
the Commissioners bill, which has been
worked out by the District engineers in
connection with the engineers of the
Pennsylvania Company. and Is presented
here by the consent of the railroad coi1i-
pany after four years of negotiation. in
vestigation, and examination"
Mr.. Cochran Of Missouri asked: "Will
the gentleman state, in acres. how much
land within the limits Of the city is
transferred to the railroad company in
this connecticut"
Mr.. Babcock-If the gentleman will ex-
anime the committee report he will find
all Of its details given in exact terms as
to what the bill covers.
Mr.. Cochran of Missouri-Then let me
ask you IL you arc familiar with any case
In which any American city has made a
contribution like this toward expenditures
necessary to protect the terminals of a
railroad company
Mr.. Babcock-The Commissioners re-
ported upon that subject. and / believe
contributions have been made in every
city. practically where elevations have
been made, perhaps with the exception of
Chicago.
Mr.. Cowherd, who. with Mr.. Sims.
signed the minority report. at this POINT
took the floor in opposition to the bill.
saying in part:
''It seems 10 me that the consideration
Of this proposition, proposition that ap-
propriates more than two and a half mil
lion dollars OF the peoples property and
calls for an appropriation of 1858 600 ad-
ditionsl IN money that it ought to have
the careful attention Of the House Now
the chairman says that il is customary
for cities 10 aid railroads in the question
OF eleyating tracks. ] do not want to 80
into that proposition at this time. but /
want TO submit to the House that IN
every case where any city has assisted
railroad in the matter OF elevation. the
equities have been considered, unless
there was a specific law apportioning the
different parts that each was TO pay
The Penns ylVania Railroad known in