Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-19
ANOTHER SITE FAVORED
DISCUSSING THE UNION RAIL
WAY STATION BILL.
House District Committee Recon-
mends Location 900 Feet South
of Place Adopted by Senate.

The House committee on the District of
Columbia spent two hours in executive sos-
sion today IN consideration of the Senate
Dill fer a union station. The result as an
nounced by Chairman Babcock at the con-
clusion of the meeting was:
The committee has decided to recon-
mend that the union station be erected
just north of street, with its front resting
between North Capitol and 1st streets east"
This IS the exact site provided in the leg
islation of the last Congress for the station
of the Baltimore and Ohio road. The front
of the station will be just LOCO feet farther
south than the site as provided in the Sem
ate bill.
Saving of 81 100000.
This change. the committee estimates.
will save the District and general govern
ment 81, 10000 1t will eliminate the pro-
posed plaza in front of the station at the
Massachusetts avenue site, and will render
unnecessary work in the way of grading
of streets. and eliminate damag ges to prop
erty and the cost of purchasing property
to this amount
This plan will not make necessary any
change in the tunnel with the exception
that it will enter the depot a thousand feet
nearer the Capitol.
1t was stated that the advantages and
economy of the change appealed 10 all of
the members of the committee and that the
change was made unanimously.
Capt. Newcomers Statement.
Captain Newcomer was present at the
meeting of the committee today, and it
was stated that the proposition to change
the location of the station grew out of
questions asked Captain Newcomer during
his explanation of the maps and plans.
When he stated, in reply to a question. that
81 100000 would be saved to the District by
moving the station nearer the Capitol
Mr.. Mercer made the motion to make this
change, and all of the fifteen members of
the committee present sustained it.
By the new plan Massachusetts avenue
will pass through the depot, the structure
being built over it.
The committee believes that this change
will not be opposed by the railroad COM
panes, as their representatives have stated
that the former legislation was satisfactory
TO them and the site proposed today is the
same as provided in that bill.
Station at the Long Bridge.
An amendment providing for a subs! !at.on
for passengers at the city end Of the Long
bridge to accommodate Virginia traffic was
also agreed upon.
Mr.. Babcock gave notice Of an amend
ment he should offer providing for the re-
moval of the Botanical Gardens from the
nall.
The provision for the substation reads:
That the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad
Company shall establish and maintain a
substation at a convenient location east of
the north end of the Long bridge and at a
point to be approved by the District Com
miSSionerS.
An amendment was also agreed to pro-
viding that no street authorized to be
closed under the terms of the bill shall be
SO closed until the railroad has acquired
the abutting property.
Section IL of the bill, which made it op-
tional with the railroad companies to either
accept reject the legislation, was struck
out. thus making it mandatory on the roads
to carry out the provisions OF the measure
The wording of the first section OF the bill
which empowered and authorized the
companies to act under its terms. was
changed TO authorized and required
Subcommittee Appointed.
By direction of the committee Chairman
Babcock, Representative Cowherd and Capt.
Newcomer, representing the Engineer
Commissioner of the District were in
structed to redraft the sections of the bill
affected by the change in location of the
station and have the same in shape to re-
port to the committee soon as possible.
1t is thought likely that this report will be
ready by Monday, and that a special meet
ing Of the committee may be called to COM
plete the measure at that time.
Right to Use the Station.
This subcommittee was authorized to
draft new section providing that roads
which may gain entrance to the District
in the future shall have the right to use
the union terminal
At the next meeting of the committee
Mr.. Babcock will offer his anne ndment for
the removal of the Botanical Gardens from
the NAH.
The amendment states that this removal
is to be made for the purpose of converting
these grounds into public park The Sec
retary of War is directed by the terms of
the amendment to remove the gardens to-
gether with the brick and iron fence in
closing them, to some other location on
public reservation in the District, to be ap-
proved by the superintendent of public
buildings and grounds
There is some anxiety felt as to the pos
sibility of getting a day in the House for
the consideration Of the bill when the COM
mittee have concluded with it. The special
order on the Philippine bill precludes the
use of next Monday for District business,
and the only way the bill can be brought
I'D is by unanimous consent or through
a special rule from the committee on rules.