Evening star., 1902-01-09
The New Railroad Bill.

The bill changing the laws relating to the
steam railroad terminals to provide for a
union station, which Senator Mcmillan in
troduced yesterday marks the highest ad-
vance in all the record of legislation for the
adjustment of the railroad terminals in this
District. 1t provides not only for the aboli-
tion of grade crossings within the city. but
for a junction of the lines in one magn1h-
cent. monumental station building. which.
If erected according to the plans will be
distinct addition to the city's attractions.
For many years the citizens of Washington
have been striving for just this solution Of
the railroad problems. but with practically
no hope of success until the merger of the
Baltimore and Ohio road with the Penusyl-
vania permitted a union of the views of the
two corporations as to their relations with
the capital city.
II is primarily due in this latest instance
to the broad-minded public spirit of Pres
ident Cassatt of the Pennsylvania railroad
that these plans have been finally put into
their present satisfactory shape. He has
recognized the fact that not only was the
way open to union of the terminals, but
that the development of Washington into
the ideal capital city required such a treat
ment of the transportation facilities. His
acceptance of the union station plan, how
ever. did not stop at the mere adoption of
that idea. but went further and included
the acceptance of the site proposed by the
park commission and seconded by the chair
man of the Senate District committee. The
site happens TO be the same as was tenta-
lively proposed in The Star years ago when
the readjustment of the Baltimore and Ohio
terminals was under consideration.
So at last the District is offered the out
look Of llntOD terminal he grade
crossings abolished and the station build
ing an ornament to the capital and in keep
ing with it's plans of betterment now ap-
preaching formal presentation. The wait
has been a long one, and the cost has been
heavy in lives and money, but the satisfac-
tory settlement now proposed is none the
less gratefully accepted.
In its details the plan set forth by the bill
follows the lines generally agreed upon
several weeks ago when the matter was
under discussion at the Capitol Capitol
Hill is to be tunneled to accommodate the
southern connections and the B. and 2.
road is to be brought over to the viaduct
from its present line at Magruder Station,
in Maryland. The lines now existing in
South Washington, save those necessary to
connect with the Mall station are to
main planned by the legislation of last
year. Additional freight facilities are pro-
vided on the northern side, and more
streets are to be closed north of Massa-
chusetts avenue than were thus affected
under the laws of last February. Among
these is II street, an important thoroush-
fare. the closing of which under the pend
ing plans is certain to be strongly opposed
by the citizens of the northeastern section,
who are dependent upon it for their
fhr0uph cOD0eCriOnS with 10 RI
be believed that a change of the plan in
this particular will be readily effected as
soon as the case is considered in its details.
The government having formally ap-
proved the squatter sovereignty of the Bal
tfmOre and Potomac Railroad in it's oc-
cupancy of the Mall. through last years
legislation, against which the District pro-
tested as unwise, now acknowledges its
liability in the premises and agrees by this
bill to pay the railroad a bonus of 81, ,500. go
for removing itself from the public lands.
The District has now no voice in the case
on this point The question is one squarely
between the United States and the rail-
road company. If a mistake was made in
confirming the railroads possession the
government is apparently willing to pay
for il.
The Districts share of the total cost of
this great change, as now outlined. will
consist of it's half of the S1JOOO0O bonus
10 be paid to the b. and o. road for It's
Improvement, and it's share of the cost of
certain approaches and of the damages TO
be assessed in behalf of the property own
ers whose interests are injured by the new
constructions. Although the District re-
CARDS as unjust the exaction of a bonus by
the B. and o. railroad for doing what 1t
should have done wholly at it's own ex-
pense. it cannot afford now, in view of the
comprehensive success that has been
achieved in behalf of right solution of
the terminal problem. to demur at the net
terms which it secures