The Washington times., 1902-06-08
The Committees Report.

The committees full report follows:
THE committee on railroads having
considered Senate bill 1925, to provide
for union railroad station in the Dis
trict of Columbia. reports:
THAT with the purpose of the bill it
heartily concurs, ana believes that the
National Capital should have monu-
mental union passenger depot, and that
the railroads should relieve the city of
grade crossings, but that the bill. while
the best so far proposed for the relief
OF the present railroad situation, can
be improved in certain particulars.
The measure proposes a railroad
monopoly, and should be amended to per-
nit the use of the proposed terminals
by any railroad entering the District of
Columbia and thereby provide an open
door to the National Capital.
1T also proposes that the railroads
be given Sc, 1872, ,521 for making the alter
ations in their terminals, of which
amount the District OF Columbia is to
Pay s., ,S04 900. as follows:
"One million six hundred thousand
dollars for the plaza in front of the de-
pot S170, 900 for changes in South Wash
ington, paving and damages to property;
$4,000 bonus to the Baltimore and Ohio
SoihPhhy anu f-pt'hoN oo iNS
half OF the cost of the highway bridge.
The 81 $4,000 given in real estate is
largely in streets closed, which belong
TO the United States, but are loss to
the citizens of the District rather than
the United States. The right of way tor
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad through
the Reform School grounds is loss to
a District institution unestimated in any
OF the reports, and the damage to prop
erty abutting on streets closed by the
bill is entirely unprovided for, and must
fall on the owners, citizens of the Dis
IIict. The cost of the highway bridge, If
properly constructed, is estimated by che
War Department to be 1896. 900, instead
OF the $685. 900 already appropriated, so
that the estimated cost to the District
is too little in this instance and may
be too small in other particulars. 1t is
probable that the District contribution
TO the railroad improvements will not be
less than 100000.
AT a time when needed improvements
such as the filtration plant, the Memoir
ial bridge, the extension of Sixteenth
Street and the Parking Commission and
street extension plans have to wait for
want OF funds it is a serious matter for
the District to have to give $4,000 900.
Methods in Other Municipalities.
Your committee has investigated the
method pursued by Boston in improving
its railroad system, and believes that If
a similar course was pursued here it
would result in a great saving to the
community. The subways there have
been built by the city and rented to the
railroads on such terms that the sink
ing fund created by the rentals will pay
off the bonds issued in About thirty
years. The railroads, not the taxpayer.
-, the end Of that period will have paid
for the subways. but the taxpayer, not
the railroad. will own them.
THE present experience of Baltimore
with its investment in the Western
Maryland Railway is also worthy OF
your careful consideration at this time
In assisting the construction of that
road 20 the city stock and bonds of the
corporation were taken to represent the
money advanced and were held at a loss
OF interest to the city for years, but
Low railroad interests have bought
them and the city will get It's debt and |
interest and the long sought terminals
in Jones Falls Valley without further |
cost.
In Washington. as consideration for !
lne Si,VuO,vUv Nnlcn VIII PROBABLY be i
spent, we are not even to have a share /
of stock in the terminal company au- |
thorized by the bill TO be formed While |
the bill provides for the taxation of the |
land occupied for railway purposes. and |
in this way will produce a few thou
sand dollars of revenue annually the |
amount SO paid would not equal the first
cost to the Government within a hun
dred years.
Your committee therefore recon- |
nends the adoption of a resolution set
ting forth that the Board OF Trade be- |
lieves that in the construction of the
railroad terminals for the District Of |
Columbia a plan similar TO that fol-
lowed by the city OF Boston in the con
struction Of its subway should be adopt
ed. whereby the municipality owns the
improvement and rents it 10 the rail-
road companies on such terms that the
sinking fund provided retires the bonds
issued TO defray costs in thirty years.
And that a railroad commission should
he provided for the District of Columbia
TO do the work and determine whether
the location of the terminals desired by
the railroads is best for its various in
terests."
Excursions for Needy Children.