Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-29
PROMISE SOME RELIEF

u HUIUIOl OUWl IIlLIlI
Continued from First Page.)
trict This charge. which estimates show
would be at least IS per car, would be paid
at first by the shipper, but finally by the
consumer.
Would Abolish Nuisance.
"The railroads have shown by the estab-
lishment of a large and expensive freight
yard outside the city limits their desire to
keep Washington free from heavy freight
movement as well as smoke. After provid-
Ing for the great outlay Of expensive build
ings and yards. the railroads are interested
in the preservation Of them and may be re-
lied upon to take all possible steps to avoid
mourning the same. 80
1.-THE railroads are constantly testing and
will be glad to adopt any successfully op-
Grated appliance to abolish smoke, and they
are willing to do all in their power to re-
lieve. the situation. They respectfully re-
quest that they be given a reasonable
period after the opening of the station to
accurately obtain the results of operation
and test the different grades Of fuel before
being compelled to abandon to the detri-
ment of all interests a. large part of the
present outfit for steam and install cleo
tricity.
THE railroads have not been uncom-
promising in their attitude, but have shown
a Willingness to exert every effort to abate
the smoke nuisance in this city. They
offer to require all yard engines used ex-
clusively within the limits of the city to
burn coke and If that is not satisfactory
anthracite coal or other equally satisfac-
tory smokeless fuel; to require all road en-
gines hauling trains in or out of the city
to use selected coal of the best grade, to
reduce smoke to minimum and to insist
upon the exercise by enginemen and fire.
men of additional care in firing locomotives
within the District limits.
This Is practically the plan which was
followed in that part of the city of Greater
New York comprising the boroughs of
satisfactory to the municipality, the resi-
dents and fairly SO to the railroads.
Mr.. Rea said that Identification of rail-
roads was used for suburban passenger
traffic and not for freight.
Mr.. Rea in presenting his statement did
so in behalf of the Washington Terminal
Company, the Pennsylvania. the Baltimore
Ohio. the Washington Southern, the. Sea-
board Air Line and the Atlantic Coast lines.
Would Postpone Time.
Senator Gallinger asked Mr.. Rea whether
should prefer having 1t go into effect later
than January /, 1905 as provided in the
bill.
Mr.. Rea replied that the railroads would
like to have the time extended until 1910.
In reply to question by Mr.. Burket, Mr..
Rea said that the railroads would certainly
resist legislation for the Identification of
the roads as far as they legally could.
Mr.. ]. E. Muhifeld, general superintend-
ent of motive power Of the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad Company, said tina. it was
not possible to get device to entirely do
away with smoke of locomotives. Expert
ments had been ding on for two or three
months. he declarec, in order to accom-
plish that result.
Mr.. A. W. Gibbs, general superintendent
of motive power of the Pennsylvania raii-
road, confirmed Mr.. Rea's statement as to
the willingness of his road to reduce the
coke in its yards, and by the use Of hard
coal and coke on locomotives
Mr.. William H. White representing the
Washington Southern railroad, reviewed
the acts of Congress to show that the pres
ent improvements for the railroads II the
District contemplated the use of steam.
II know that the southern roads," said
Mr.. White, have been looking forward to
the time when these facilities would be
completed, and have regarded seriously the
inevitable additional burden laid upon them
for their use. While the language of the
second section Of this bill does not make
the identification of the roads mandatory,
the Commissioners of the District of Column
bia seem to realize that nothing short Of
electricity can solve the problem. 1t is quite
impossible to get forced draft on a steam
locomotive, and at the same time do away
entirely with smoke and cinders If this
second section is enacted. and if some
smoke is then emitted the railroads are SUBJ
ject to a heavy fine"
He said that although the Washington
southern Is short road, the great trade
between the north and the south in freight
ov,6 Ys<,c sxrr{ll1 a,,hl4 81
ditional charge made necessary by the en-
actment of this law. These roads, he said,
had not been favored with trade and travel
to the extent of roads north of them. They
traverse a vastly populated country. Legis-
lation Of this kind that might not be a bur-
den to roads traversing a country with
dense population would be destructive to
roads going through country with a
sparse population.
The Great White Dome.
1.-The dome of the Capitol" said Mr..
White, indulging in poetic language, Smiles
upon the azure sky. 1 see no evidence of
any dense smoke to injure it. 1t is the same
dome in its whiteness that 1 saw when 1
first came here many years ago."
Mr.. White said that the proposed legisla-
ton was unkind and inconsiderate toward
the railroads, and it seemed unmindful of
the promise made to the railroads when
legislation was passed under which they
are now reconstructlnS thelr terminal I'M
provements.
DO you know anything about the prom
ises the railroads made when Congress con-
sented to allow them to go through the
mall?' asked Senator Burket
No" replied Mr.. White; but am afraid
that the promises of railroad men are some
thing like the promises of politicians, made
In moments of necessity"
Then, continuing, after the laughter had
subsidized, Mr.. White said:
But l do believe that now the time has
come when railroads more than ever be-
fore, realize their accountability to the pub
lic and that they are determined to take
the people into their confidence, and that 1t
is not mere question of cost or economy
In the interest of the railroad stockholders
as against the welfare Of the public
Mr.. Macfarland's Statement,
Upon the close Of Mr.. Whites statement
Commissioner Mcfarland was called upon
Much has been accomplished already to-
ward the elimination of locomotive smoke"
said Mr.. Mcfarland, "if we accept the as
surances of these gentlemen &c 70 -h,<