The Washington times., 1902-04-06
SCATHING ATTACK
ON DEPOT PLAN

prepare plans and estimates of costs for
the construction of railway to connect
the several military and naval stations
in and around the District of Columbia
and the erection of a central railway sta
tion, keeping in view primarily the mill
tary interests of the Government. and in
cidentally the commercial interests Of the
city of Washington and the States of the
Union: and showing the points at which
railways located in the adjacent States
may connect with that proposed in this
act.
Section 2. That the sum of 100000, or
SO much thereof as may be necessary, is
hereby appropriated from the Treasury
OF the United States to be expended by
and under the direction of the Secretary
of War for the work hereinhefore men
toned; and that the Secretary of War is
directed to report his proceedings under
this act to Congress on the first Monday
of December, 1903"
Action was deferred upon the measure
owing to lack OF time for consideration.
Citizens Railroad Bill.
Louis Hooper, from subcommittee, in
troduced resolution. which was adopted,
which provided that the proposed citizens
railroad bill be approved. with the ex-
provide sthat prosecutions shall be begun
by the District Commissioners on the
complaint of two citizens under OATH and
the part of section 10. relating to the
East Washington portion of the route pro-
posed for the cross-town railroad
resolution. offered by Mr. W. A.
church, providing for the appointment of
committee of nine for the considera-
tion of the removal of the tracks of the
Dni T.
Washington from Maryland and Virginia
Avenues. and the location of the same
south OF said avenues, was adopted The
committee will be announced later by Mr.
hume. This resolution has in view the
removal of the line of the railroad from
the avenues named, and the locating Of
the same along Water Street TO X Street
and thence in direct line to the mouth
OF the tunnel. with turn out to connect
with the Delaware Avenue tunnel lead
ing direct to the union station
Mr.. NJ. |. Weller. who was present. as
serted that this route was impossible if
the grade crossing were to be eliminated
Question of Damages.
Mr.. s. H. Giesy proposed the following
resolution, which was adopted after much
discussion: That the Washington Board
of Trade committee on railroads recon-
mends that the paragraph relating to
damages in section of the bill to pro-
vide for union railroad station in the
District of Columbia and for other pur
poses tSenate bill .s25) should be amend
ed to read as follows: All damage to
adjacent or contiguous property resulting
from, incident to, or connected with
changes of grade in streets or alleys or
ether changes or improvements author
lied by this act shall be borne, paid for,
and betrayed by the District of Columbia
and shall be recoverable by the owners of
such property by action at law against
the said District OF the part of owners of
the property SO damaged. of which action
at law the said railroad and terminal
company or companies shall have notice
and the right to intervene. Fifty per-
centum OF the amount so recovered shall
be refunded to the said District by the
railroad or terminal company or com
panies making such changes or improve
ments. and 25 percentumn of the amount
SO recovered by the United States"
The portion of the bill providing that
benefits to property accruing as a result
OF the changes should be taken into con-
sideration in awarding damages for in
juries.
Mr.. Henry p. Blair expressed doubt as
to the authority of Congress TO provide
for the railroads paying a portion of the
damages assessed against the District un-
less they were made a party to the suit