The Washington times., 1902-06-19
Wide Divergence in Views
Submitted to SEN
ate Committee.
OPINION OF BOARD OF TRADE
President Smith Submits Disapproval
OF Proposed Payment of Large Sums
to Railways for Works That Should
Be Done at Their Expense.

Citizens of Washington, representing
various associations and business inter
ests, yesterday had their say before
the House District Committee on the
Senate union station bill.
Nearly every citizens association was
represented. In fact, there were so
many p-escn: that it was necessary to
limit the time OF each speaker to nine
minutes.
Nearly every man who addressed the
committee had a different view. scheme,
plan or proposition from every other
man. Some We're In favor OF the union
station bill as at present drawn; others,
chiefly Mr.. Rosenburg, representing
South Washington interests, wanted the
legislation of 1851 carried out; others
desired the route changed; some wanted
the depot located in a different place;
and stilI others opposed the measure
as being in the interests OF the rail-
roads and not the public.
After hearing all the different
views the committee took the matter
under advisement and will doubtless re-
port the measure within a few days.
Mr.. Warner the First Speaker.
Mr. B. H. Warner was the first spokes
man. He declared that he appeared in
the interests of everybody n the Dis
trict, and ne wished the bill passed.
Mr. Warner said that for twenty-five
years this city had been suffering for
the want of proper railroad facilities,
and the present scheme was practicable
from the standpoint of the railroads the
Government, and the citizens of the
District of Columbia. Some must suffer,
he said. by the change in the route from
the plan OF last year, but the bill pro-
vided equitable relief. He urged imme-
diate action. saying delay was harmful
and would kill the measure.
Mr. r. Il. Johnson, chairman of
the railroad committee of the
South Washington Citizens Asso-
citation. protested against the bill. as
it gave over TO the railroads Virginia
and Maryland Avenues. He wanted a
union station. but advocated the Water
Street route.
Eckirgton's Side Heard.
Mr. W. G. Henderson, president OF the
lexington Citizens Association. was
then allotted his nine minutes. Before
he had gotten well into his argument
proceedings were interrupted by the
appearance of a messenger boy. who
brought petition signed by numerous
property owners of Southwest Washing
ton, which was presented to Chairman
Babcock, protesting against the Water
Street route and favoring the Virginia
and Maryland Avenues scheme Of locat-
ing 4 depot at the junction OF Seventh
Street and Maryland Avenue.
Mr. NJ l. Weller, of the East Washing
ton Citizens Association, was next
heard. He laid special emphasis on the
necessity for the abolition of grade
crossings, and he appealed to the com
mittee 10 abolish these sixty-fve death
traps. As the bill does do away with
street crossings, he said. he was in ia
vor OF it,
Denounces the Scheme.
Mr. Josiah Millard, of the East End
Suburban Association. read a paper in
which he denounced the union station
scheme in its entirety. declaring that it
was detrimental to the District of Col
umbia He asserted that II 1t was passed
it would never be amended or repealed
except at the request of the Pennsyl-
van;a.
Mr. Thomas W. Smith, the president
of the Board of Trade, submitted
statement from that organization. The
Board OF Trade. he said, had been active
and consistent in the position it had
taken respecting grade crossings since
its organization in 1889, and he quoted
from the address Of President NJ. NJ.
Parker in 1900. in which he said:
There was strong opposition to the
legalizing Of surplus tracks in South
Washington and opposition has been
strong against giving an unlimited
power of condemning. and a general de-
sire expressed similar to that which
prevails in other large cities, for re-
lief so far as possible from surface
tracks and grade crossings"
Should Ee No Pay Attached.
The Board OF Trade members. he said.
were not opposed to the elimination Of
grade crossings, or to the location of
the station on Massachusetts Avenue.
but they did oppose the paying to the
railroad company of a large sum OF
money for work which II ought to do
without any payment whatever. That he
declared TO be the sentiment of 700 of
the leading business men Of Washington
MIR Morrell wanted to know if the
Board of Trade approved the legislation
of 1901. Mr.. Smith replied that It did
disapproTe of the taking of the Mall for
railroad purposes.
Favors Another Location.
Mr.. Irwin d. Linton favored locating
the derot at the junction OF Seventh
Street. MarylarI and Virginia Avenues
- While one-fourth Of the city was given
oyer to the railroads, he said there was
no necessity OF turning over another
fourth. The station at that junction. he
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