The Washington times., 1902-12-16
union STATION BILL
PASSES THE HOUSE
Now Goes to Conference
Committee for Action.
LIKELY TO BECOME LAW
President Said to Favor Measure, and
VIII Probably Sign 1t
on Sight.

In spite Of the decided opposition OF
Representative Cannon. whose opinions
generally carry great weight. the House
late yesterday afternoon passed the
union station bill. with nj few changes
from those recommended by the Dis
Tict Committee. The measure embodios
the same general features as when it
was passed by the Senate last session.
and there is no doubt felt that the con
ference committee viii agree without
difficulty. and the bill Will receive the
Endorsement Of the President
Mr.. Cannon's opposition was aimed
largely at the plaza OF parking feature,
which the bill provides shall be laid
out directly in front Of the station. at
cost of about $77O.oO0 This expendi-
ture. Mr.. Cannon strongly criticised as
great waste OF money. That il was
according TO the general scheme Of the
plans Of the Identification Commission
made no difference. He said the COM
mission was a creature Of the Senate.
and was headed by an architect whose
ideas "dwelled generally far above in
the clear blue skies"
Mr.. CannOn's Argument
In his argument against The plaza
Mr.. Cannon said. in part.
I'VE have just forced upon the PEG
pie Of the District d personal tax and
reappraisement OF real property. and
this increased taxation barely raises
revenue TO meet curreht expenses. There
is not money in the Treasury TO pay
M fnH i'm
sanitary sewerage and = filtration plant
l believe the committees estimate 81
100000 for this plaza is not one-half
large enough. but accepting The com
mittee's estimate, for what Is this 800
600 to be eKpended2 - park, a breath
ing place, II there Is one thing tn,
District of Columbia has 10 throw AT
the birds, Il is breathing places We
have in Washington parks enough for a
city OF 100000. mostly uncared for
ana here II is proposed TO spend $780,
goo 20 get another one. The District
Columbia has no money 10 pay for this
park, and II we pass this bill the Unit
ed States Government will be morally
bound 70 discharge the obligation. If
we need IL, let's have IL. but / cannot
think OF anything the District of Co
lumbia needs less than it does more
parks"
Besides Chairman BabCOck. OF the Dis
trict Committee. who led the debate IN
support Of the bill Mr. MorreII OF Penn
sylvania, Mr.. CoWherd Of Missouri. and
Mr. Sims Of Texas. all members Of the
committee, spoke In its favor The aged
Representative. Mr. Grow OF Pennsylva-
MIA, who made his farewell address to
the House only a few days ago also lent
his voice in favor Of a parking space in
front OF the station. AS a result Of this
support Mr. CannOn's amendment to
strike out all that portion OF the meas
ure relating 70 the plaza feature was
killed BY vote Of 1O6 to IS
An Additional Taxation.
Failing in this attempt TO eliminate
what he believed a waste Of money. MIR.
Cannon next sought to tack on the bill
8 provision that, TO meet the burden
which the legislation would impose upon
the District revenues. taxation for a pc
Rod OF Ave years should be increased
by p per cent Mr.. Cannon supported
! this provision even more strongly than
he had that cutting out the plaza. He
declared the District had reached
point where important improvements
would have to stop unless more reve-
nue. was provided. The personal tax and
Seappraisement had increased the reve-
nues TO some extent. but not enough to
meet requirements.
4 am willing to let Washington beau
tify ITSELF" he said. lust as rapidly as
II Is willing 10 pay one-half Of what the
Identification costs. II rests entirely
with the people Of Washington. They
can walk trOt or run and the Federal
Treasury viii keep pace"
Mr.. Babcock replied by demanding 70
know WY Mr.. Cannon would tax the
people Of the District to the extent Of
1000 600 when but 81. 300 900 at the out
side estimate would be sufficient. Mr.
Cowherd also reminded the chairman Of
the Appropriations Committee that he
had approved the legislation for the two
railway stations two years ago, and that
the cost Of the present project over the
one then contemplated was Insignificant
when the advantages TO be derived were
compared. Mr, Cannon said that il he
had siuned two years ago he was sorry.
but that a good many things had hap
pened in two years and that any money
which could be saved could be put 10
good use In making other improvements
needed IN the District
The question OF the tax amendment
was put 20 the House and voted down.
The Committee Of the Whole then arose
and reported the bill favorably 10 the
House. which passed 10 without division.