The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-04-17
District Commissioners
Approve Pending Sem
ate Measure.
REPORT SOMEWHAT DELAYED
Railroad Companies Will Be Compelled
TO Spend Many Naturalization of
Cost Estimated and Details Explained
at Length.

The District Commissioners yesterday
sent to the Senate District Committee
report giving its approval and indorse-
inent to the union station bill now pend
ing In the Senate.
The Commissioners say:
This report has been delayed on ac-
count OF not receiving from the railroad
companies statement of the cost of the
proposed work and OF the value OF some
of the land owned by the Baltimore and
Ohio Company. which it viii; be neces-
sary to acquire under the bill and which
the president OF the company stated would
be sold to the District for street pur-
poses at cost price.
Cost of Work. $3.50
1.-THE estimated cost of the work to the
railroad companies under this bill has
been stated by them to be as follows:
The parts of the structure to be use.
by the roads in common are estimated
to be equally shared. while the parts
used solely by one railroad are separated
THE cost to the Baltimore and Poto-
mac under the present bill is estimated
at S5.764.80o. In addition they will be re-
1uired to spend, in accordance with exist
ing legislation. s1,464.753. This makes a
total Of s., 239. SOB. an additional expendl.
ture of S3,5s4.340 over what under exist.
ing legislation, the railroad would be re-
quired to expend.
Must Expend Millions.
1.-THE present bill requires the Baltimore
and Ohio to make an estimated expendi-
ture of s5.SsS,559. Existing legislation re.
quires an estimated expenditure OF IS, $780,
4oS. leaving an excess under the presen,
bill of s2S4.142
In the reports of the Commissioners
on the acts abolishing grade CROSSINGS
passed in 1901, in the discussion as to the
cost, distinction was made as to whar
was considered in the light of bettermef,ts
and the work due to the abolition OF grade
crossings The former was supposed %
be paid entirely by the railroad compa-
MES, and the other to be shared with
Inc District of Columbia and the United
States.
In that way the sum to be paid the
Baltimore and Ohio $4,000 0O was APP
proximated. 1t is difficult, If not impos-
sible, under the present bill to make
and necessary changes IL
lard to determine. and in constructions
ised by both companies 1t might seera
to one and changes necessary
% the abolition OF grade crossings to the
'ther. Moreover. the railroads claim tina:
he present bill gives them no better
nents.
To Pay Half Cost.
in the case of the Baltimore and ohis
he claim is made that the greater par,
# their business is freight and that the
location of their freight depot
s greatly to their disadvantage. They.
# course, obtain the advantage of
Southern connection, for which, however.
hey pay half the cost of the tunnel
THE most practical way to discuss tho
livision of cost would seem to be to take
he total cost to the railroads of tho
work which they have to DO and the total
.ost of the District and the United States
consequent upon these changes.
THE details of the figures submitted
" the companies are on file in the Office
# the Commissioners. These estimates
re liberal and higher than those made
or similar work in 1901 The reasons
,iven for the change are increased cost OF
oing the work due to advance in PRICE
md uncertainty OF the character OF the
excavations which will have to be carried
o greater depths.
Will Evacuate Mall.
'Tn the case of the Baltimore and Po-
omac, the extra estimated cost is nearly
3 ,600. 900. and the bin provides that the
ompany is to receive from the United
;tates s1,5O0,oe0 for the evacuation of
he Mall.
In the case OF the Baltimore and Ohio.
he total estimated cost is 81, 500. 200. or
800, 900 greater than that of last year.
his is due to sharing the cost of the
unnel, estimated at 1921 .525. Outside OF
he tunnel the cost is less on account OF
he lessened length of yiaduct and be-
ause a part of the expense is to be shar-
d by the Baltimore and Potomac
THE cost to the United States and the
district of Columbia is estimated as fol-
Dws:
ITO be paid by the United States to the
baltimore and Potomac for the vacating
the Mall, 81 500. 600. to be shared by
he United States and the District; to De
aid the Baltimore and Ohio under existing