The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-04-23
Declares the Bill Grants a
Perpetual Monopoly to
Pennsylvania Railway.
PROPOSES AN AMENDMENT
Cross Either of the Two Roads Shall
Enjoy the Right to Use the Ap-
proaches and Station.


railway station bill in the Senate yester
day.
He asserted that the bill grants more
20 the Pennsylvania Railway than was
ever given by n municipality 10 onr~
poration before. that the railway is to
secure monopoly in perretuitr on all
passenger and freight business into the
Capital City, and that Washington be-
comes by its terms simply an annex to
that system.
He made no charges against the Senate
district Committee or the District Conn
inissioners, but virtually attacked them
in a bitter arraignment OF corruption and
scandal in the granting Of franchises by
cities 10 steam and street railways.
Defense of the Plan.
Senator Mcmillan. tire chairman Of the
District Committee which framed the
bill. and Senator Galiinger. also of the
District Committee, came to its defense
with statements in contradiction Of near
ly everything that Mr. Patterson said.
They both pointed out that it is the
law in nearly all States that the cities
and States shall pay a portion OF the
cost of the elimination of grade crossings.
The Senate took up the bill after the
routine morning business, in accordance
with tacit agreement secured by Mr..
Mcmillan a few days ago number of
minor committee amendments heretofore
described in The Times were adopted
without objection.
Senator Mcmillan. in calling attention
10 the fact that the bill had been laid
aside last week by request of Senator
Jones OF Arkansas, stated that Mr. Jones
had since told him that after reading the
bill carefully be withdrew his objection
to it and is aow favorable to it. Mr..
Jones not in the Senate yesterday
The report Of the committee on the bill
was then read, on request of Mr.. Cul-
berson.
Mr.. Patterson's Views.
Mr.. Patterson then offered his amend
nent providing that any railways whose
tracks cross those of the Baltimore and
Ohio and Pennsylvania Railroads shall
have the right to use the union tracks to
come into the Capital City. and also the
right TO use the union station.
Mr.. Patterson said in defense of his
amendment that several of his constitu-
snts are interested in the Chesapeake
leach Railroad, and also in the resort.
ie said that they have expended several
millions of dollars for the purpose Of
giving the people of Washington a nearby
salt water resort
He said that the company has found it
0mpossible to get into the city, and is
practically railroad in the air." with
. terminus three miles out OF the city
He said that the enterprise is losing
money. and is practically valueless for
this reason.
MIR. Patterson went on TO say that from
his examination Of the bill its provisions
are 10 give the Pennsylvania a practical
monopoly on all the railway facilities of
the Capital City.
He said it made the District OF Columbia
a mere annex to the Pennsylvania Rail-
road, and that his amendment aimed
merely to break the monopoly. The bill
gives more to the Pennsylvania Railroad,
he declared, than any other road was
ever given by any municipality in the
world.
b.
Mr. Patterson said that the report and
the bill seek to suggest that the two
railway lines do not care for the union
railway station, but are uniting in the
stion because the people demand it
He said that, as a matter of fact, the
Two lines are owned by one company. and
that 1t is absolutely necessary that they
shall have one station in order that they
may operate economically.
He said that, in his opinion, the rail-
ways should not have been given any
thing in the way OF grants, but should
have been made TO pay for their rights.
Il call the attention of the Senate TO
what this bill gives TO the Pennsylvania
Railway:
"Flrst-Three million dollars in cash.
"Second-Real estate valued at more
than 1900 ,000; a pure gift of property
belonging to the District of Columbia and
he United States.
.Third-Expenditure by the Govern
ent at the plaza and elsewhere. a total
practically 100000.
Object Of the Gifts.
"And what are all these magnificent
gifts for? Simply for the purpose OF
getting the Pennsylvania Railway to erect
a beautiful and costly depot all to its
own glory.
Except that she travel into the Capital
CITY will be made measurably safe by the
elimination of grade crossings, the Dis
trict and the United States Government
secure nothing whatever by this bill.
Dir. Patterson added that with the
granting Of the perpetual franchise and
monopoly to the Pennsylvania Company.
a.. Its.
cannot fall short of so .GU0. 0Go.
Mr. Gallinger asked Mr. Patterson IL he
did not consider it satisfactory to have a
union station. and II be did not under
stand that all the railways now coming
into the District will be given the same
rights under the bill.
Mr.. Patterson answered that this was
true. hut sat nevertheless all these rail-
WAYS arc dominated By the Pennsylvania.
Die said that other lines wishing TO get
into the District are not able TO do so.
Characterized as Subterfuge.
Mr.. Patterson characterized the proyis-
Con of the bill allowing other lines TO
PENNSYLVANIA Railway as a subterfuge,
and OF no practical value.
Mr. Patterson said that in his opinion
81 is absurd for Congress to set an ez-
ample 10 all municipalities OF absolute.
complete, and AFFECT surrender TO d cor
poration.
He said that the time may come when
Washington may need more railways. a
time OF war, when it will be impossible
for the present lines TO rush men and
munitions Of war TO the Capital. and that
al such a lime IL VIII be made manifest
how short sighted is such legislation as
IA