Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-15
UNION STATION BILL
Measure Up Before the House
Today.
OPPOSED TO PLAZA
MR.. CANNON MAKES AN INEF-
FECTUAL FIGHT AGAINST IT.
Mr. Babcock Explains the Provisions
and Advocates the Plan
Others Support It.
OPPOSED TO PLAZA

The business of the first District day in
the House Of the session was postponed for
a short time to allow the passage OF the
urgent deficiency bill reported to the House
from the. appropriations committee satur-
day. The bill carried 81. IL. GOO. 100000
for the bureau of animal industry, to aid
in stamping out the foot and mouth disease
of cattle in the New England states, and
the balance for the postal service.
At 12:45 O'Clock the House took up the
union station bill, in committee of the
whole, with Mr. Olmsted of Pennsylvania
In the chair. Maps showing the Massachu-
sets avenue site and route of the roads to
that site were brought in, and Mr. Babcock,
after having the first reading of the bill
dispensed with, made brief explanation
of the bill.
Mr.. Babcock's first statement was that he
first entered Congress in 1893. He became
a member of the District committee, and
the first important piece of legislation was
a proposition to elevate the tracks of the
Baltimore and Ohio road. The matter was
laid on the table at that time on the state
ment that if passed the bill would put the
road into the hands OF receiver. the
road did go into the hands of receiver
for other reasons. Since that time the mat
ter had been agitated almost continually.
Mr. Babcock then reviewed briefly the an
ceptton and perfection Of the bill under con-
sideration. The House committee had first
decided on what is known as the G street
site. The committee. however. was told by
the officials Of the roads that they would
not build the depot on the c street site II
the bill was passed. The Massachusetts
avenue site would cost the District and
general government about N.6000o0 for
change in grade of streets and drainages TO
property, which was about s., 100000 greater
than would be the cost at C street. To
eQualize this cost, Mr.. Babcock stated that
his committee had cut down the amount to
be paid to each road by half a million dol
lars With the cost of the two sites thus
equalized Mr.. Babcock said the Massachu-
sets avenue site presented perhaps the best
site when the future growth of the city was
concerned.
Mr.. Cannon's Questions.
When Mr.. Babcock finished his explana-
ton Mr.. Cannon asked questions which
brought out the information that the front
of the depot would be 100 feet north Of
Massachusetts avenue. He then turned his
attention to the proposed plaza in front OF
the station, but on the opposite side of the
avenue. He then asked what was to be the
cost of acquiring this plaza park. Mr..
Babcock estimated it at $4,000.
Now, then continued Mr.. Cannon,
this plaza park Is to take out OF the United
States treasury this large sum of money,
Of street space for the public.
Il want to ask the gentleman II all needs
of the public will not be subserFed without
this plaza park?
Mr.. Babcock replied that ne could NOT
answer with a yea or no. AS he under
stood it the plaza plan was designed as
one Of Identification.
well. now, l will ask my friend II Wash
ington has not now more than hundred
parks that are not properly cared for2"
asked Mr.. Cannon.
II would hardly say the parks OF Wash
ington were not properly cared for, was
the reply.
Mr. Cannon paid a compliment tinged
with sarcasm to the park commission,
which he said was a creation only of the
Senate He gave notice that he should
move to strike out the plaza provision
later.
Mr.. Cowherd's Support.
Mr.. Cowherd dem. MOI. a member Of
the District committee, was given ten min
utes on the bill. He said as an original
proposition he did not believe in giving rail-
roads government money to build their ter
minals, but legislation had already been
enacted which gave the two roads 81 SOC. 600
and provided that one Of the roads occupy
the mall.
With this situation he should support the
present bill, for while it gave the roads
a million dollars each, 1t gave back to the
government 81 ,35O. 600 worth Of park prop
erty. while 1t made 1t necessary for the
Pennsylvania road to expend about $780,
900 in construction under the new plans.
He believed the use Of the streets were
better subserved IN the present bill, and
said he should support the measure.
Mr. William Alden Smith asked II the
government would get back the equivalent
in property for the money paid. Mr.. Cow
herd 8 answer was that IT did.
During the discussion many members
made a close study Of the maps displayed.
Mr.. Williams of Mississippi wanted to
know how the Pennsylvania originally got
the land on the mall. Mr.. Cowherd an
swered that 1T was his belief that the road
had paid nothing for it's use or claim on
the mall.
Mr. Sims Tenn.). also a member
of the District committee. Endorsed the bill,
saying the present legislation was far pref
cradle to the existing legislation under
which two stations and the continued use
of the fourteen acres of the mall would re-
suit.
Mr. Mondell Pa), a member of the
District committee, in indorsing the bill said
that the union station plan was not the
original plan of the railroads. They were
perfectly satisfied with the legislation of
two years ago. 1t was originated by the
late Senator Mcmillan of Michigan, who
had brought forward the plan for union
station. At this time plans for a magntfi-
cent depot and the Massachusetts avenue
site were selected. At this time the plaza
Ia front of the station was decided on to
accommodate the large crowds that were
OF frequent occurrence in Washington.
MI. Morrell Favors the Plaza.
Mr.. Morrell said he had landed In Wash
ington several times with large bodies OF
men and knew what 1t was to be set of
on a siding several miles out of town SIM
ply because there was no accommodation
for large crowds. Mr.. Morrell urged
strongly the necessity Of abiding by the
plaza provision of the BILL
Mr.. Morrell pointed out the advantages
of union station to the city, the roads
and the travelling public, the one great ad-
vantage being the elimination Of grade
crossings.
Mr.. Cannon interrupted Mr.. Morrell to
state that the elevation of tracks In Chica go
was borne by the roads. Mr.. Cannon then
got back to the plaza proposition, and de-
clared that the 300 feet front space to-
gether with the streets and avenues run
ming to the depots, was sufficient to accom-
modate city Of 5000. 900 inhab ltants.
Mr.. Morrell gave notice that he should
offer some amendments to the bill when
1t should be read for amendment. The
reading of the measure was ordered at the
conclusion OF Mr.. Morrelis statement.
Mr.. Babcock explained that on account
of the recent change In the name Of the
Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Company
to the Philadelphia. Baltimore and Wash
ington road he would offer certain commit
tee amendments.