The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-05-07
Gossip From the
 Nations Capital

washington, May o,-topecidi'~ Persons going toward the Potomac from any of the broad thoroughfare: including Pennsylvania avenue. neal the Treasury Department building ant the White House, if they have not talk en that route within the last few weeks, will encounter a great surprise just as soon as they emerge from the long thick rows of trees of heavy To- liage which obscure the view of the Potonac and shut out everything ex- cept the top of the Washington monu- ment Once out into the spacious grounds about the great white shaf' it looks as though big modern worlds fair has suddenly sprung into existence. It is nothing more nor less than the numerous buildings which have been erected for the Exposition of Railway Appliances which is being held in conjunction with the meeting of the International Railway Congress events which began May and, last ing until May If, will attract to Wash ington transportation men from all ov- CT the civilized world.
 The International Railway Congress meets once in five years. and. though this is the greatest railway country in the world, it Is all the more notable that this is the first time the Congress has met In the United States. The ex- hibition of railway appliances Is de- cidedly the most important and inter- esting affair of the kind ever had or attempted in the history of railway progress and science.
 The low grounds, including the mall at the foot of the Washington monu- ment, which a few years ago was all most a morass of lowlands used as a kind of dumping ground for all kinds of rubbish from the city, has been wonderfully transformed. It Is now a beautiful park as well kept as any about this city of unsurpassed parks. The prospect hereabouts in the luxu- riant dress of perfect spring is ex- ceedingly attractive and refreshing to view. Here is the site of another white city," a large group of build ings recently completed to be devoted to the exhibition of every imaginable railway appliance now in use or which inventors and manufacturers hope to have adopted by some great railway system. The magnitude of tho exnibi- tion may be appreciated, when 1t is un- derstood that 100000 feet of floor space which will be covered with exhibits will be five times the size of the ground space of Madison Square Gar den, New York City.
 Ten years ago the Congress met in London. and the welcoming speech was made by King Edward, then Prince of Wales. Five years later the Congress met in Paris, when the present officers were chosen. They are: A. Dubois. honorary director of the Belgium State Railroad, President; Alfred Pickard, inspector general of bridges. and M. Ramaeckers, Vice Presidents. Before the Congress adjourns. another set of officers will be elected. and 1t Is said that the chief honor will likely fall to Stuyvesant Fish, President of the H. llnois Central
 The work of the Congress Is divided into five parts with delegates assigned to consider the subjects named, to wit:
 First-Ways and works, rolling stock, tracks.
 Second-Problems relating to power, couplers, steam and electric traction.
 Third-Lighting. heating, ventila- tion, block systems. baggage and ex- press, suburban traffic.
 Fourth-Freight rates, office prob lems. relations with employees, duration and regulation of hours.
 Fourth-Financial cooperation by public authorities, organization of cheap service, automobile traffic and government ownership or operation.
 After the foreign visitors shall have finished their share in the labors of the Congress and given a good taste of American hospitality at the national capital they will be taken on trips over some of the great railway sys- tems. Between times of the meeting of the Congress the delegates will have an opportunity to inspect the costly and valuable exhibits of fifty great manufacturing establishments.