Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-27
NEW UNION STATION
Bill Allowing Local Railways to
Extend Tracks.
UNDER SPECIAL RULE
May Come Up in the House Before
Next Saturday.
AN INTERESTING SITUATION
If It Can Be Amended It May Pass
House, but Unamended Has
No Show in Senate.
AN INTERESTING SITUATION

The Senate bill to permit the local street
railway companies to extend their tracks to
the Union station-which, incumbered with
the broad-tire and smoke law extension
riders, was voted down by the House last
Monday-will probably come up again be-
tween now and Saturday under a special
rule from the committee on rules. It is un-
derstood that this rule will permit the
amendment of the bill. g.
It is pretty well established by now that
the only chance Of getting this street car
service extension authorized by this Con-
gress is through a bill which Is designed to
permit the extension and which is not
loaded down with matters not germane to
the immediate purpose Of the bill. The SEN
ate measure dealt simply with the street
railway extension which is admitted to be
needed. but the House District committee
saw fit to load down this measure with the
two riders in question.
Chairman Babcock Of the House Dis
trict committee. instead of bringing the
measure under the District day procedure,
as he had right to do, called 1t up under
suspension Of the rules, and that cut off all
chance Of its amendment. The vote on the
bill on Monday was therefore, more of a
personal rebuke to Chairman Babcock than
vote indicating the attitude-of members
on the street railway proposition.
An Interesting Situation.
OF course If the bill is brought up this
week under a rule permitting amendments
a determined effort will be made to fasten
three-cent fares, universal transfers and
the Lord knows what else upon it. But on
the other hand; If 1t Is not permitted to
amend the bill it Is generally recognized
that it will not have a ghost Of a show in
the Senate.
So the situation as regards this measure
of local interest Is rather interesting. 1t
Is pretty certain, however, that Chairman
Babcock will get his rule from the commit
tee and that the bill will be considered on
It's merits. 1t Is pretty certain, too, that
the broad-tire rider will be eliminated, but
1t is not SO certain that this will be done
with the rider extending the provision of
the smoke law to railroad locomotives This
proposition has many friends in the House.
and they intend to do what they can to see
that it remains in the bill.
Street Railway Companies.
1t is understood that the local street rail-
way companies are merely awaiting action
by Congress on the bill authorizing the
extension to send out their engineers to
make the preliminary surveys. In order
to save time the District engineers will
follow right along behind to check up the
work, the necessary material will be added
and the construction of the additional tubes
will be begun almost Immediately.
In view of these facts 1t is believed that
a strong effort will be made at both ends
of the Capitol to secure the passage of
the necessary legislation and. II essential
to this end, to secure the elimination Of
all foreign subjects from the bill. There Is
but little time remaining, and it Is thought
that II some concessions are made that the
street railway bill can be put through by
itself and the riders considered later on
their merits.