Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-26

north. 23d street west, Rock creek, Cincin-
nai street. Columbia road. 18th street
tended to Park street and Whitney avenue
and 18th street west, r street north, c
street north and I'd street east to the point
of beginning. This legislation will enable
the telephone company to install about 100
telephones, for which application is now on
file.
Mr.. Babcock Explains.
Mr.. Babcock made brief explanation of
the measure on the request for the same by
Mr.. Hepburn. He said it gave the Commits
sioners the same jurisdiction over the tele
phone and telegraph wires they now had
over the electric light wires and gas mains.
Mr.. Tawney wanted to know if the bill
would not give the present telephone COM
pany monopoly. and if the bill ought not
to provide for rights of new company
should one desire to come in
Both the Commissioners and the commit
tee have guarded carefully against any
thing in the bill which would give the pres
ent company a MONOPOLY" replied Mr.. Bah
cock.
In answer to further inquiry by Mr.. Taw-
ney, Mr.. Babcock stated that his commit
tee had struggled two years ago to perfect
legislation, which would regulate the whole
conduit question but the whole thing had
fallen through.
Mr.. Hepburn's Inquiry.
Mr.. Hepburn here interrupted to ask if the
telephone company was not now in con-
tempt of a statute OF Congress fixing the
telephone rate?
Mr.. Babcock replied that the matter of
rates had been taken into court and the
case was now pending before the Supreme
Court of the United States.
Well" rejoned Mr. Hepburn, AL over
this country they are getting telephone SER
vice of the best character for rates in some
instances the same those fixed by Con-
gress."
Mr.. Hepburn said it evident that
there some ''scoundreism'' being prac-
ticed in keeping the $50 rate from going
into effect.
With this in view he continued Il do
not think 1t wise to allow this company to
fill up the alleys with wires, or to allow
them to extend their monopoly until they
comply with the law
Mr. Babcock said that Mr.. Hepburn was
overlooking the fact that the telephone
company could not new extend it's service,
which was demanded, without the present
legislation. which was working hardship
to the citizens of the District. ,--.
why don't you put a provision in the
| hill here to compel them to comply with
| the statute already nade?" asked Mr.. Hep
| burn
Mr.. Babcock's Reply.
Because answered Mr.. Babcock lit is
held that that rate is confscation of prop
| erty. and the court is now passing on that
| question"
| Mr.. Hepburn retorted that In his opinion
the case at bar was prepared in the inter-
est of the telephone company. Don't you
know" he continued, that there was
some chicanery, some deceit, brought to
bear on that court?'
| Il am astonished." replied Mr.. Babcocl1,
that the gentleman should say that the
court was guilty Of chicanery."
| Il did not say that" replied Mr.. Hep
burn. Il said it had been imposed upon
| Mr.. Babcock said that in all of his ex
perience with District officials he had never
seen anything where chicanery could be
| justly charged
| Mr.. Hepburn-"This bill does nothing
! but increase the value of the franchises of
| this company which is now in contempt of
an act of Congress, and it ought not to be
| passed"
Needs of the District.
| Mr.. Cowherd observed that he was not in
favor of granting favors to the telephone
company, but he thought the needs of the
| District should not be tied up pending the
decision of the court the rate question
| He characterized the rates of the company
| as little less than robbery" and suggested
| that if the company were sustained by the
| court Congress could again legislate on this
| subject.
Amendments Ruled Out.
| Mr.. Sims offered amendment to the
| bill providing that no telephone company
operating under the provisions Of the bill
shall charge more than $50 per year for a
telephone on a separate wire.
| Mr.. Babcock at once made a point of or
| der against this amendment.
! Mr.. Mudd. who favored the amendment,
| argued against the point of order. The
| Speaker. however. sustained it.
| Mr.. Hepburn then offered the following
| amendment:
| Provided, that the privileges herein au-
| thorized to be extended to persons or cor
porations shall be exercised on condition
only that service shall be furnished on the
| terms and at the prices now authorized by
law"
| Mr.. Babcock made the same point of Or
der against this amendment, saying the
| bill had nothing in it to fix rates.
The Speaker sustained the point of order
| which killed the amendment.
Roll Call Demanded.
The bill was then put on it's passage on
Mr. Babcock's motion. On a rising vote
there were % voting for 1t and 20 against
Mr.. Hepburn demanded that the vote
| should be taken by a roll call, and at 2:3
o'clock call of the House was begun.
The Bill Passed.
The result Of the roll call as announced
by the Speaker was 40 yeas and Sc nays
the bill being passed.
Mr.. Babcock then called up Senate reso-
luton 81, to permit steam railroads in the
District Of Columbia TO occupy additional
parts Of streets in order to accommodate
the travelling public attending the encamp-
ment Of the Grand Army Of the Republic
next October In this city.
Extending Eleventh Street Line.
The resolution was agreed to without dis
cussion, as was also House bill 12SO5 re-
curing the Anacostia and Potomac River