Evening star., 1902-05-09
ADMITS OTHER ROADS
Amendment Proposed to
Union Depot Bill.
REPORT SUBMITTED
RIGHTS OF RAILWAYSSH HEREAF-
TER ENTERING GfTY.
Result Of Hearing Yesterday Before
the Commissioners-Text Of
the Report.
REPORT SUBMITTED

The District Commissioners today made
an important recommendation to Congress
to the effect that an amendment be adopt
ed to the pending union depot bill, which
would allow other railroads authorised by
Congress to enter the District of Columbia
to use the union station.
This recommendation is made in the
course of report by the Commissioners to
Senator Mcmillan, chairman of the Senate
District committee. on Senate bill $3.50, '"To
establish railroad commission for the Dis
trict of Columbia and authorizing said COM
mission to construct q monumental union
passenger station and railroad terminals for
the said District, and for other purposes, -
which was referred to them for considera-
tion.
A hearing was granted q, number Of citi-
zens yesterday by the Commissioners on the
subject OF the proposed railroad commission,
Some of those present urged the erection
of depot by the District at 18th and M
streets northwest. Not all those present at
the hearing specifically indorsed this loca-
ton, but they were unanimous in urging
that some provision be made for the ac-
commodation of railroads that may desire
to enter the District in the future.
Report of Commissioners.
The Commissioners report in full is as
follows:
THE Commissioners recommended the
passage of the acts of Congress approved
February IL, 1901, which provide for the
abolishment of grade crossings and the es-
tablishment Of railroad stations in-the mall
ana at New Jersey avenue and c street
northwest. These acts having been passed
by Congress, must be considered as q sat-
1sfactory solution Of the railroad situation
at that time.
Senate bill 1925 of the present session.
which provided for the construction of a
union station on the north side of Massa-
chusetts avenue northwest for thu accom-
modation of all the railroads at present
coming into the district Of Columbia. has
been recommended by the Commission ers
as being an improvement on the two acts
OF Congress approved February II, 1901.
This bill provides for. all railroads now
IN the District but dos not allow any
other railroads coming into the District to
make use of the proposed union passenger
station without the consent Of the two rail-
road companies which are required to build
1t. 1t does not, however, present any OBJ
stacleS to new railroads further than are
contained in existing law. In other words,
any other railroad company could, If au-
thor1zed by Congress, come into the Dis
trict and build its own terminals as well
under the legislation proposed in Senate
bill 1925 as under existing law contained in
the acts of February II, 1901.
Amendment Recommended.
'The Commissioners would urgently rec
ommend an amendment to Senate bill 1926
which would allow other railroads author
lied by Congress to enter the District to
use the union station. fr
IF it is intended to enact Senate bill 55S6
it should in the opinion of the Commission
ers, be amended In a number Of it's pro-
visions. The method Of condemnation of
land proposed is not that which has proved
most satisfactory in this Jurisdiction; in
fact, it is entirely novel. It is believed by
the Commissioners that the method Of con-
den1aation should be that contained in
chapter 15 Of the code of the District of
Columbia. The bill Is indefinite in not
stating just exactly where the terminals
should extend; 1t Is presumed that they
would provide Tor all the present railroad
tracks within the District. It also makes
no provision for reimbursing the railroad
companies for the decrease In the value Of
their present real estate holdings when
their tracks are removed, nor does it pro-
vide penalties for failure to remove their
tracks, although such removal Is required.
Neither does it require the removal Of their
buildings from the streets, avenues and
public lands belonging to the United States
and the District Of Columbia.
"It is difficult for the Commissioners to
present a satisfactory report upon the pro-
posed legislation in the brief period Of time
allotted to them for that purpose, but they
cannot recommend the enactment Of this
proposed legislation"