Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-12
DEEP POLITICAL GAME
SENATOR GORMAN'S PURPOSE
BEHIND B. AND o. MOVEMENT.


Special Correspondence of The Star
BALTIMORE, Md, February H. 1906
That United States Senator German is
playing deep political game behind the
| moves against the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad in the legislature is admitted on
all sides. Whether this game Is in the
| interest of the elder statesman or to boost
the fortunes of young German is a ques-
ton hard to answer. In any event I'M
biased observers of events at Annapolis
agree that there is more politics than pa
triotism in the pose of the Sage of Laurel
as the champion of the state against the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad in the contro-
versy over the Washington branch divi-
dends.
They recall the fact that the elder Cor
man has been a director OF the Baltimore
and Ohio for six years, during which time
the Washington branch dividends had been
withheld, and they regard II as significant
that he remained silent during all that
time. In this connection it Is also Of in
terest to recall the record Of German, ST.,
in 1878, when he represented Howard
county in the state senate. He was a
very influential member and was especially
active in certain legislation concerning the
Baltimore and Ohio and the Washington
branch.
In 1878. as now. the Baltimore and Ohio
officials for several years had been with
holding dividends on Washington branch
stock. The railroad was waiting until car
tain legal questions were settled, 1t was
stated 1t was also withholding the capt.
tation tax due the state from the railroad.
This was tax of one-f1fth of the gross
receipts from passenger trahc on the
Washington branch. Altogether the Baiti-
more and Ohio owed the state for dividends
and taxes in arrears more than s1.2oooOo
1t had fought the state In the courts TOT
years. 1t had lost, and was then In po-
sition where settlement must De mace.
. n n
the legislature. Such Legislation as was
desired by the Baltimore and Ohio was
passed, largely through the influence OF
Senator German and other lrlehos Oh lhe
Baltimore and Ohio.
Therefore, the present attitude OF Senator
German toward the Baltimore and Ohio as
reflected by the moves being made by young
German provide excellent material fof COS
sip as to the cause Tor Senator Hoi hi"ii .
change of front.
No B. and o. Contribution.
gentleman in close touch with the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad stated TO Ihe
Star correspondent today that he attrio-
uted Senator Germans hostile attitude
toward the Baltimore and Ohio to the fact
that the railroad did not come up with
big campaign contribution at the last cleo
ton, when Germans pet measure, the Poe
amendment, was at stake. 1t Is a we'll
known fact that the democratic managers
were short of funds and were making every
effort to secure funds In this they failed,
many officeholders even refusing to con-
tribute. 1t is said that club was held over
the Baltimore and Ohio, but the railroad
was firm in its refusal to assist in boost
ing the personal political fortunes of Sen
ator German. and thus make 1t possible for
the father to hand down the senatorial
toga at Washington to the son. And since
the opening of the fight against the Balti-
more and Ohio in the legislature the one
AIM a hpp tn hl ia n IN
ings in the railroads are worth at least
$500 a share. about twice the figure offered
by the Baltimore and Ohio for the state
holdings.
Intercity Trolley Franchise.
The board of estimates has granted
franchise to the Washington, Baltimore and
Annapolis railway to operate cars within
the city limits The franchise is to run for
twenty-five years, with the privilege of re-
newal for another twenty-five years. The
company, under the provisions of the fran
chse granted, will pay park tax of 0 per
cent on all its business within the city,
whether originating in Baltimore or out
side the city limits. The company Is also
to be required to pay an easement tax in
stead of fiat sum for the franchise, the
tax to be determined by the appeal tax
court The company is to have the priv
ilege of laying and operating tracks on
Portland, Scott and McHenry streets, and
is to have a trackage arrangement with the
United railways of this city in order to
reach the interurban terminal station at
Fayette and Liberty streets.
Oyster Conference.
The joint committee, of the house and
senate. which was selected to confer with
a like committee of the Virginia legisa-
ture regarding oyster legislation in the Po-
tomac river will leave here next Monday
night for Richmond, where the conference
will take place. The Maryland committee,
Of which Senator Linthcum is chairman.
expects to meet the Virginia committee
Tuesday morning and conclude the con-
ference on the same day, so as to enable
the Maryland legislators to return in time
for Wednesdays session at Annapolis.
President Joseph Seth of the state senate
will accompany the committeeman to Rich
mond
The contract for the construction of three
of the six municipal docks has been award
ed to the Degnon Contracting Company of