Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-16
Lively Debate Of an Hourin
the Senate.
CHANGES ARE PROPOSED
SENATOR HALE MOVES FOR A
RECoMMITMENT.
Contends That Congress Should Not Be
in a Hurry - Miscellaneous Bills
Passed-Swayne Case in House.

The Senate this afternoon by
vote OF 30 to "a took TIP for consld-
Grafton the Old Dominion cross
town railway bill. A lively debate
followed, continuing for about an
hour. Several amendments were
proposed to be taken up later. The
debate at times was of an acrinio-
NOUS character, hinging upon the
alleged influences for and against
the bill. The hour of o'clock ar
irving the statehood bill was taken
up and the Old Dominion bill went
to the calendar.
At o'clock this afternoon Senator Mar
tin of Virginia moved that the Senate pro-
coed to consideration of the Old Dominion
bill. There was immediate opposition from
several senators. and Senator Hale demand
ed that the bill be read. and stated that he
would move its recommitment to the COM
mittee on the District of Columbia The
bill was read at length and then the vote
was taken on whether it should be brought
up for consideration. Senator Hale de-
manded the yeas and nays. and on a roll
call the bill secured right of way by 80 to "a.
Senator Gallinger then gave notice Of a
change that he proposed in the route OF
the railway, providing for single track
east of Thomas circle on M street and re-
turning n street.
Senator Hopkins gave notice Of an amend
ment to be proposed giving the owners of
abutting real estate right to sue for dam
ages to their property occaSioned by the
railroad
Recommitment Moved.
At this point Senator Hale took the floor
and moved the recommitment of the bill to
the committee. He said that he was not
aware of the arrangement in the commit
tee which reported the bill, and was not
prepared to say that it had not received
fair consideration. He was, however. i'm
pressed by the number of letters and state
ments that had come from parties living
along the road who had no opportunity to
be heard. In the interest of this legislation
he thought the bill should be sent back to
the committee so that all parties and in
terests might be heard.
Senator Hale said he did not find that
the hearings which have taken place and
which cover the testimony of parties who
were fortunate enough to get before the
committee included statements from the
people who We're now opposed.
Senator Gallinger handed Senator Hale
document of 134 pages. which the senator
said comprised the hearings before the
committee that had been held after due
notice had been given in the newspapers.
Senator Hale said that he had never seen
the documents before, and wanted to know
whether 1t was printed for the use of the
committee or for the use of the Senate,
and Senator Gallinger said it had been
printed for the use of the Senate.
Senator Proctor wanted to know why it
lad not been more thoroughly distributed.
to which Senator Gallinger replied that he
did not have anything to do with that
work.
Senator Hale insisted that he had never
seen a copy of the hearings until today.
He contended that the hearings represented
only small portion of the people who
are interested in this subject and who
had been present.
Senator Gallinger replied that last April
the District committee room was packed
several days with people who went there to
be heard on this bill.
Interested People Not Heard.
Senator Hale pointed out that amend
ments were now proposed changing the
route of the railway. He said that the peo-
pie on the proposed change of the line had
never been heard. He thought that they
should be given opportunity to come before
the committee and present their views. He
declared that his interest in the bill was
only general. He knew little of the scheme
or of the parties behind it, or what it's fu-
ture value might be. He said that Congress
had gridironed the city with electric roads.
Congress had gone SO far in granting priv
ileges to railroads nobody was discOm-
NODDED. The route of this railway was
crossed every three or four blocks by north
and south lines already in existence
He declared that the people of the city, in
his opinion, did not demand the railroad.
1t no doubt was demanded by the corpora
ton back of it.
AVID tod I,1yo yicfi, fin,c -
put in Senator Gallinger.
THAT / don't know anything about re-
torted Senator Hale. They are not here
in evidence"
Continuing. Senator Hale contended that
Congress ought to pause before giving an
other franchise to a railway corpora ton.
If this is a good bill, he said 1t would not
be hurt by rehearings. If 1t is bad bill
the light ought to be let in.
Mr.. Gallinger Replies.
Senator Gallinger declared that his mo-
ton was extraordinary, although it was
clearly within the rules, and no one had a
right to complain.
Senator Gallinger said the committee had
given very careful consideration to this
bill
Senator Hale asked him how many own
ers of property were in favor of the BILL
Senator Gallinger replied that there were
great many. He had before him a let
ter from the owner of a big apartment on
NJ street favoring it,
That's one" said Senator Hale.
Yes, and / have a great many more"
replied Senator Gallinger. 1885
1t was at this stage that the proceedings
took on an acrimonious character,
Senator Gallnger said that 1t was known
that powerful interests were against the
bill. Stockholders of existing corporations
and bondholders in New York and else
where were against it. 1t was only neces-
sary to look into the marble room of the
Senate to find the opposition. The COM
mittee, he declared, was not ignorant of
the interests arrayed against the measure.
Resented by Mr.. Bailey.
Senator Bailey took the floor then and
declared that Senator Galljnger's remarks
were reflection on every senator who on
posed the bill. Senator Gallinger had i'm