Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-18
Suggestions Regarding the
Union Station Bill.
TRIAL HEARING GIVEN
REPRESENTATIVE OF ASSOCIA-
TONS SPEAK.
lexington Desires Amendments
Water Street Route - Objection
to Districts Share of Expense.

The union station bill was the subject of
discussion this morning before the House
committee the District Of Columbia.
What the different local citizens associa-
tons think Of this measure was told to the
committee by representatives from a num-
Der of them, and some changes and amend
ments were suggested.
In the absence of Mr.. Babcock Mr.. Mer-
Ger took the chair temporarily. He first
called the roll of the citizens associations
present. To this call representatives re-
sponded from the Board of Trade, the South
Washington Citizens Association, the North
Capitol and lexington Citizens Association,
the East Washington Citizens Association,
the Northeast Citizens Association, the
East End Suburban Citizens Associa-
ton, besides several gentlemen representing
Individual owners.
Mr. Warner Urges Passage.
Mr.. B. H. Warner was heard first. He
spoke he said, for large number of citi-
zens of the District, as we'll as in his
own behalf. Mr.. Warner earnestly urged
the passage Of the bill. Among the rea
sons given by Mr.. Warner were: First, the
great need of such a station as that con-
templated in the bill for the convenience
of the travelling public and the business
interests of the city. Second, a stronger
sentiment In favor of the plan outlined in
the bill than he had known before.
Third the advantage of having grade cross
ings abolished. Fourth, the abandonment
of the mall by the tracks of the PennSyl-
vania road. Fifth the proposition was in
accordance with suggestions made to them,
and involved a vast expenditure of money
which the roads could otherwise avoid by
a more selfish policy on their part.
Sixth, the contribution toward the i'm
provement seemed to be fairly proportion
ate.
Seventh, under plans proposed the import
ant highways Of the city are less interfered
with than under any suggestion heretofore
made.
Eighth, the union station will be mag
nifcent addition to the structures which
now adorn the city.
President Skaggs Takes Issue.
Jas. F. scaggs, president Of the South
Washington Citizens Association, took
Issue with Mr.. Warner as to the use by the
roads of Maryland and Virginia avenues,
but the committee cut off protracted dis
cussion.
Chairman Babcock arrived at this time,
and the time to be given each represent
alive limited to nine minutes each.
r. H. Johnston, chairman of the railroad
committee, was heard next. He advocated
the Water street route" and filed brief
showing this plan in detail. This route, he
urged would relieve the District from the
payment Of all benefit assessments.
Desires Of lexington.
William G. Henderson, president of the
lexington Citizens Association, who was
next heard, stated that lexington was to
suffer most of any section of the city by
the present plan. While lexington did not
wish to stand in the way Of the union sta
ton plan it's citizens did wish to have the
bill amended so as to do the least damage
possible.
The most important amendment he urged
was one to cOnf1ne the proposed freight
yards south of Quincy street. Another sug-
gestion was to have eight-foot stone
wall erected around this freight yard. Mr.
Henderson also suggested that provision
be inserted in the bill to prevent the use of
soft coal by the switch engines in use in
these yards.
The wording of the amendments desired
is That Sd street shall be left open be-
tween r and Quincy streets northeast, and
streets northeast. as laid down the
street extension maps Of the District of
Columbia, a street shall be opened by said
railroad company extending to the inter-
section of Q street and lexington place
northeast, the title to the ground within
the limits of said connecting street to be
dedicated to the District Of Columbia by
said railroad company"
Also: THAT said railroad company shall
erect and maintain a substantial wall of
stone, of a height not less than eight feet
above the level of the streets the lands
adjacent to its freight tracks, extending
from lexington place along and outside Of
the northern and western line of said
tracks to street northeast"
Sentiment in East Washington.
n N1N1 80 x11 4rx