Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-15
Car Shortage a Serious Matter.

Car Shortage a Serious Matter.
Representative Townsend of Michigan,
who was a conspicuous figure in the rail-
road legislation Of the last session of Con-
gress, says that he has not attempted any
legislation to meet the problem of the al
legged serious shortage in freight cars pend
ing investigation being made by the inter-
state commerce commission.
There is SO much difference of opinion
on this question" said Mr.. Townsend, that
we must await the facts. which will be Sc
cured by the commission. Here is Jim HILL
who says. for instance. that there are suffi-
cient cars on his roads to meet the business
On the other hand there is the testimony
of reliable and trustworthy men on the
line that they cannot get cars to meet the
demands Of their business One manager
of a large elevator declares that he has
capacity for 100000 bushels of wheat
wants to get the wheat badly. and yet he
has only 100000 or 8.000.0OO bushels on
hand Another elevator owner says he has
room for more than 1900. 900 bushels and
cannot get more than 1905. 900 because the
cars cannot be had to handle the business.
The same complaint is made in other lines
great stacks of wheat lying alongside the
Great Northern tracks covered with snow,
that are waiting for cars to come along"
President Agrees With Hepburn.
Senator Hepburn of Idaho says President
for the purchase of all territory between
Pennsylvania avenue and the Mall between
the Capitol and Treasury buildings. for fu-
ture sites for government buildings
Senator Hepburn talked with the President
today about the wisdom of this courc, and
found the chief executive favorable to 1t.
Il think the President will state his views
on the subject in the near future. said
Senator Hepburn. 1.-The plan is meeting
with favorable comment and support ev-
erywhere, and all agree that it is the only
feasible plan that has yet been offered to
provide for the ever increasing demand for
space for government buildings The prop
erty within the territory may be purchased
now. II Is believed. for less than $40 900, 900,
while later on it will cost a great deal
more and must be had. 1t is economy and
good sense to buy now. Until such time
as the government Is ready to put up
buildings the territory could be used as
park: in fact. will be a part of the Mall,
and would add to the beauty of the city.
The treasury has never been more abund-
ant1y supplied with money for an expendi-
ture of this kind
Loyal Legion Eanquet.
The President was today invited to the
twenty fifth annual banquet of the District
of Columbia Commandery. Loyal Legion
He has been several times invited to at
tend. but pressure of business heretofore
made him unable to do so. He said that
he would see II he could find time for the
next banquet, which will be held February
L. 1907. Presidents Arthur. Harrison and
Mckinley were all made members of the
order by the District Commandery. The in
vitation was presented by Rear Admiral
T. o. Selfridge commander: Gen. NJ. V. Z.
Woodruff. senior wee commander; Gen.
Arson Mills, junior wee commander, and
Maj. w. p. Huxford secretary.
Former Representative John Allen of Tu-
pelo, Miss, now n farmer and barriSter,
called on President Roosevelt today. Some
body has been talking of Allen for a gov
eminent job, but he has not limited any such
thing to the President himself
In Behalf of Penitentiary Guards.
Representative Bell of Georgia is max
ing an appeal to President Roosevelt for
shorter hours for the penitentiary guards
at Atlanta, and wishes a presidential order
which will require these employees to serve
only eight hours, instead of twelve, as at
present. This is one branch of government
employees who do not get any of the bene-
fits of the eight-hour law" said Mr.. Bell
in the United States state penetentiary at
Atlanta these men are required to stand on
their posts of duty twelve long hours. re-
The work Is even harded than that of
policeman, as the monotOny Is not relieved
as in a city or town."
Penitentiary guards in all prisons of the
T.
Bell thinks that eight hours would be
about right.
buffalo Bill" q Caller
Col William F. Cody, Buffalo BILL who
is in Washington in the interest of irriga-
ton matters in his state, had a brief talk
with the President on that subject this
morning. Col. Cody suggested to the Presi-
dent the possibilities of interesting sport In
hunt in the Rocky mountains next fall,
but the President discouraged the idea be-
cause he had so many other matters in
prospect that would demand his attention
President Roosevelt was today given an
earnest invitation to attend the national
automobile show which is to be held In
Madison Square Garden. New York from
January II to the 10th. The President ex-
pressed the greatest interest in the show
and promised to let the committee of manu-
factIrers and others who called on him
know at later date whether he would
be able to go OF not. The committee will
close the exhibition to all persons except
the President and his party on any night he
might consent to attend.
Those in the party extending the invita-
ton included Col. George Pope of Hart.
ford, Conn: Cox George H. Studebaker OF
South Bend. Ind. George N. Peiree Of Buff
falo. Alex. Winton of Cleveland, Ohio; H. Fl.
Franklin of Syracuse. N. Y. ami H. r.
Clinton and c. r. Mabley OF New York
city.
Gov. Warner of Michigan.
Senator Burrows and Assistant Secretar.
Newberry OF the Navy Department accom-
panied to the White House today and in
reduced to the President Governor Fred NJ
Warner Of Michigan. who had brief corr