Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-09
ON LOCAL MEASURES
DISCUSSION OF HOUSE DISTRICT
COMMITTEE.
Chairman Babcock Proposes Solution of
the Cross-Town Railway
Problem.

AT the regular meeting OF the House lis
trict committee today the cross-town rail-
road bill was informally discussed. The
most important feature of the meeting.
however. was involved in a suggestion
made by Chairman Babcock of the COM
mittee that was in the nature of compro-
mise on the cross-town proposition.
1t was. in effect that the Great Falls and
Old Dominion Company be authorized to
extend its lines to the Union station. using
the Capital Traction Company's tracks for
portion of the way. and that the latter
concern be authorized to construct the
northeastern section Of the proposed line
There are so many different plans now IN
the air in connection with this cross-toWn
road and the committees time was so oc-
cupied at today's session that 1t was de-
cided to hold a special meeting beginning
at 1890 O'Clock next Saturday morning.
From that hour until noon or later the
cross-town line will be discussed by the
committee, and it is hoped that decision
may be reached, report made and the
matter finally put out of the way.
At present several difficult propositions
are before the committee. These include
the original Great Falls and Old Dominion
bill, which provided for route down M
street; the suggested amendments chang
ing the route to N and l. streets; the
Davis bill, authorizing the construction
of the crosstown line by the Capital
Traction Company, instead of the Great
Falls and Old Dominion concern. and final
" the suggestion made by Chairman Bah
cock for a compromise. So far not even
a test vote has been taken at any one OF
the committee meetings, and there Is no
means of determining just how the COM
mittee stands.
The committee got away with consider
able business at todays session, and num-
Der of favorable reports on pending District
measures. some of them of considerable
general interest to citizens of washington
Favorable Reports.
The bill introduced In the Senate by Mr.
Gallinger of Vermont appropriating $4,000
for the construction of two public comfort
atoms. and 5000 for maintenance for
the fiscal year 1906. received the unanimous
favorable report of the committee.
A favorable report was authorized on the
Commissioners bill to change the lunacy
proceedings in the District where the Com
missioners are the petitioners.
The bill introduced by Representative
Pearre of Maryland amending the act III
cooperating the Washington and Western
Maryland Railroad Company also received
q favorable report.
This bill authorizes the company in the
construction of its lines to cross the Ches-
apeake and Ohio canal and the govern
ment road generally known as the River
road at point about 400 feet east Of the
Chain bridge, by bridge about sixteen feet
above the road, and sufficiently elevated
over the canal so as not to interfere with
traffic.
The company is authorized to further ex-
tend it's tracks enthusiastically through
the lands Of the Palisades of the Potomac
Company 10 meet the Metropolitan South
ern.
A favora BILE report was authorized on the
substitute to the bill introduced by Repre-
sentative VVadsworth of New York. author
izing the Washington Terminal Company
to construct track. switches and sheds in
the vicinity of the union station to facili
tate the handling Of mail and baggage
The bill authorizing the extension of w
street from S5th street to High, or SD
street, was favorably reported.
Mr.. Cowherd's bill for the extension of
Rittenhouse street, with a width of sixty
feet, from Broad Branch road to the Dis
trict line. also received favorable. action.
A favorable report was also authorized on
the bill permitting existing benevolent,
charitable educational, musical and like or
ganiza tons in the District to extend the
period of their corporate existence.
George Washington University.
The subcommittee on education Of the
District committee was authorized to con-
slider and report on the bill authorizing the
George Washington University to increase
the number of its trustees. and for other
purposes.
A favorable report was authorized on
the bill providing penalty of 81 900 fine
or ten years Imprisonment for any at
tempt to blow up a statue, building, &c.
This bill was introduced as a result of
the attempt on the Frederick the Great
statue at the arsenal.
The bill as introduced provided that such
an attempt should only be punished by the
penalties mentioned, in case human life
was endangered. The qualfica ton was
stricken out by the District committee.
A delega ton of forty business ar
rived on the scene just the committee
went into session. and asked to be heard
on the Loudenslager smoke law bill, but
they were denied the privilege, owing to
lack of time.
The committee disapproved the PROPOSE
ton to purchase the collection of Lincoln
relics and throw open to the public the
house on 10th street. in which the martyred
President died. Some time ago Mr.. Andrew
Carnegie offered 100000 for the collection,
but 1t was refused, as the owner did not
wish the relics to pass into private hands