The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-12-19
ASK new CAR ROUTES
Senators Take Up Questioned
Street Railway Service.
OPPOSITION TO THE MEASURE
Difficulty in Arranging All the Va
rious Approaches TO the Union sta
Discussed-Spirited Debate by Sem
atOrs on Important Questions.

There was a spirited talk on local mat
ters in the Senate yesterday when the
biz introduced last April by Senator Gal
linger authorizing changes in certain
street railway tracks within the District
of Columbia, and for other purposes,
was called up by Mr.. Gallnger in his
capacity as chairman of the District
Committee
The purpose Of the bill is to give the
various street railway companies a chance
to reach the new union station. The
routes proposed are as follows:
THE City and Suburban Railway is au-
thorized to construct a double-track ex-
tension from New Jersey avenue and @
street eastwardly to and along Massa-
chusetts avenue with such northerly de-
Walton as may be necessary to bring the
tracks Immediately in front Of and ad-
jaccnt TO the main entrance of the union
station to functions with the existing
tracks at Third and D streets northeast.
"The Washington Railway and Electric
Company is authorized to construct
double track extension of its line from
Delaware avenue and street northeast
wardIy along Delaware avenue to Mas
sachusetts avenue, there to connect with
the tracks Of the City and Suburban
Railway: also a double-track loop on the
union station plaza connecting with the
four tracks proposed in the bill
Various Approaches.
THE Capital Traction Company Is
authorized TO construct a double-track
extension from c street and Delaware
avenue northeast. northeasteriy along
Delaware avenue to the plaza in front Of
the union station. together with double
track loop passing in front of the station
on the plaza, and n0rthwestwardly along
Massachusetts avenue to New Jersey ave
nue.. and thence along New Jersey avenue
TO Florida avenue; thence along Florida
avenue TO a junction with its present
tracks at Seventh street and Florida ave
nue. northwest; also a double-traCk eX-
tension beginning at Seventh ana 1
streets northwest; thence eastWardly
along T street 70 its intersection with
Florida avenue; also a double-uack eA-
tension for connecting its lines from First
and 3 streets northeast southerly along
First street To 3 street southeast
senator Aldrich first admOnished the
senate that the bill should be read It had
beer stated that there was no need of
reading il as it had been read 20 the Sen
ate las. session Senator Cullom wanted
az know when the Union station would be
anished and Senator Gallinger assured
him # would be done within the time al
lowed by Congress.
senator Carter then asked 20 be told
whether this was the bin that his friend,
Senator Hansbrough. opposed 50 strenu-
ously last session.
1T is" replied Mr. Gallinger, and ]
will also say that the Senator from North
+ Dakota will not offer any objections to-
day"
.'The Senator from North Dakota" OBJ
served Mr. Carter. inquiringiy displayed
considerable interest last session.
And the Senator from North Dakota,
I will say 10 the Senator from Montana,
retorted Mr. Gallinger, will seek any leg
I islatfon he desires on this subject sepa-
rately from this bill
Herdic Transfer Tickets.
Then Mr. Carter wanted 20 know If the
street railroads referred to would give
transfer tickets to the herdic line over
which the Montana Senator and his
family are obliged TO travel TO and
/ from their home in Sixteenth street Mr..
/ GalHnger replied that they would be glad
/ TO do so. although there was no provision
/ in the bill for II. Mr.. Carter asked II
! there would be any show for the improve
ment OF the herdic line by the use Of
electric wagons or automobiles. Mr. Gal
Iinger could only express his sympathy
/ for the conditions on the heTdic line. but
had no further information 10 offer.
/ Then Senator Hale went TO bat. He
wanted to know how far the bill allowed
the railway companies to run their lines
/ over new streets where there are nc
tracks now. Mr.. GaTlinger satisfied hin
on this before he saw the drift of the
/ Maine Senator's questions. What he was
really after was TO know If there was q
/ crosstown joker in the bill.
New Jersey Avenue Line.
Senator Carter now showed renewed
/ interest IN the bill. He called attention
TO the circumstances that New Jersey
Iavenue was about the only thoroughfarC
running from the Plaza not occupied BIS
railway lines. and the bill proposed Il
occupy a mile Of it with tracks. so there
would be no good street over which car
riages could drive to the station com
fortably
y
an attempt to set new franchises, and no
strictly within the purpose of the bill
simply TO give the railways access to the
/ new station.
Senator Gallinger explained that there
was a railway terminus at Seventh
street and Florida avenue, and people
reaching that point desiring to get to th'
Union Station would want a direct lin,
down New Jersey avenue
+ Mr.. Carter urged that In view of IN;
! enormous grant Of track extension IL
the bill. il required further study on par
of the Senate He characterized II a!
the largest grant made by Congress to
street railway in ten years. The amend
ment providing for the New Jersey ave
nue. extension was theTeupOn disagreed
to- and d moment later Mr.. Gallinge1
withdrew the bill from further consid
/ Grafton FOR the present