Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-22
TRACKS To THE PLAZA
Proposed Extension to the
Union Station.
REPORT MADE. TO HOUSE
Substitute for the Senate Bill Sub
mitted.
USE OF K STREET ELIMINATED
Avenue East From 7th
Street Observation-Disclosures
Section Accommodated.

1t is understood that the House Of Repre-
sentatives will insist upon the adoption of
the rider to the union station railway bill
favorably reported from the House Dis
trict committee-extending the provision Of
the local smoke law to steam railway loco
motives, and, II necessary. will make the
Senate assume responsibility of killing the
bill If that body refuses to agree to the
smoke amendment.
The railroads concerned, particularly the
Pennsylvania, are making the strongest
kind of fight against the passage of any
bill or amendment extending the smoke
law to steam locomotives. The members
of the House received letters this morn
ing from the Pennsylvania railroad setting
forth the argument of the railroads against
the smoke law extension. The members Of
the House District committee are much in
censed at this and over the fact that the
railroad has seen fit to make a fight ON the
proposition.
Representative Babcock of Wisconsin,
chairman Of the House District committee,
called attention this morning, in discuss
ing the matter with Star reporter, to
the millions of dollars now being expended
by the government in the construction in
Washington of granite and white marble
buildings. These buildings, Mr. Babcock
pointed out, were most Of them in the
be peculiarly susceptible to disagreement
by soft coal smoke. The problem could
easily be solved by the railroads. it is
said, by the use Of coke or anthracite coal.
and Mr.. Babcock thought the companies
were making a great mistake in opposing
the smoke amendment and in antagonizing
their friends in Congress over a matter Of
the greatest Importance to the District, but
which can truthfully be called a miner con-
sideration so far as the railroads themselves
are concerned.
Mr.. Babcock today submitted to the
House his report on the union tation bill.
1t recites that the general purpose of the
proposed legislation is to provide for such
extension Of the existing treet railway
TENS access to the new union alton, now
nearly completed. and which, it Is confident
ly expected, will be occupied by all steam
railroads before the LIST Of ext December.
Terms Of the Substitute.
The first section of the substitute-all but
the enacting clause of the Senate bill hay
ing been stricken out-requires the City and
Suburban railway to extend it's lines from
New Jersey avenue and G street along
Massachusetts, avenue past the lew union
station to functions with the existing lines
at Sd and D streets northeast and at STAN
ton Square, and also to extend its North
Capitol street line from street to Massa-
chusetts avenue. connecting with the other
extension, thus giving the business and
shopping districts direct communication
with the station.
This construction means in all about
1900 feet of single track, or about seven
city blocks of double track construction
The route favored by the House commit
tee differs from the routes approved by the
Senate by extending the street line
directly to the station along the shortest
route, instead of making the detour by de-
Walton northwardly to North Capitol and G
streets. and this direct extension is made
possible in the substitute bill by the in
sertior of a proviso which requires the .ity
and Suburban railway to purchase as much
property in square 567 as may be neces-.
sary to permit Of its tracks being ex-
tended In a straight line eastwardly from
their present location on G street to Mas
sachusetts avenue.
By section of the substitute the Wash
ington Railway and Electric Company Is
required to extend its lines from Delaware