The Washington times., 1907-01-29
Officials Say 1t Means
EleCtrification, Which
IS Expensive.
Cost of S a Car Would
Come Out of the
Public.
Claimed That Railways
Have Already Spent
Much for District.

Strong objections to the bin TO
force the railroads entering Wash
ington TO suppress smoke were
urged by railroad Representatives at
a hearing of the Senate District
Committee today. The bill. as the
railroad men view il, means the cleo
trifcation of the Washington termi-
nal system.
samuel Rea. third vice president
of the Pennsylvania road, presented
the principal statement of the rail
roads, appearing for the Washing
ton Terminal Railroad Company, the
baltimore and Ohio, the Southern,
the Chesapeake and Ohio, the Wash
ington Southern for itself and in
behalf of the Seaboard Air Line, and
the Atlantic Coast Line, and the
Philadelphia, Baltimore and Wash
ington Railroad Company.
Eiectrifcation Too Expensive.
Mr.. Rea declared the roads could not
a1ford the expense Of electriacation. lie
toeS the view that the passage of the
biz meant this: ''The railroad COM
LanIas would necessarily be compelled
10 Hsake q terminal charge for cars
within the District. This charge, which
estimates show would be AT least s. per
car. would be paid u first by the
shipper. buJ finally by the consumer
Chairman GallInger observed that this
bill did not require the railroads 10 use
I electric power as had been often stated
/ but proposed 10 bring the railroads uu-
1 der the District law for the prevention
| or smoEe-
Mr.. Rea's remarks. as summarized.
follow
The charter powers Of the Washing
| ton Terminal Company, provided for by
I the acts or lJJl and 1875. are 10 build
| and operate certain structures with the
approval of the Commissioners Of the
I District Of Columbi as 10 plans and
location All through both acts 1t is
perfectly clear that these structures are
TO be for the use OF steam railroads.
Railways Have Spent Much.
From the time the terminal improve
ments were first suggested. the railroads
/ that will use them when completed.
have endeavored 10 meet the wishes OF
I the Commissioners. as well as the pro-
| visions Of the acts Of Congress. There
| have been constructed at an approx
mate cost to them Of S25. 900. 900 buildings
/ Of great architectural beauty, in thor
/ Ough keeping with the appearance OF
| the surrounding Government buildings.
and I'm addition, adjacent yards and
/ tracks, that form a most important part
| Of the terminal improvements. and at
| the same time one Of the most expen-
/ sive.
/ Stations. tracks. and accommodations
/ for Washington. many years in advance
| OF her actual requirements, have been
provided. At a time when these i'm
provements are nearing completion. the
I railroad companies do not believe it fair
/ that additional burdens should be i'm
posed on them, especially after their
/ labOFiOus EFFORTS 10 complete the Wash
I ington work In the shortest time posi-
| bic. and In strict compliance with all
the requirements OF the Governmental
enactmenIs, which expressly protected
l their vested rights
| ITO the people travelling 10 and from
l washington, the electrificatiOn of the
terminal system would mean many in
COnNeniences by causing delays TO trains
| lhaI would be necessitated in changing
| from steam 70 electric power II would
I make impossible the four hour schedule
/ 10 New York, 10 which the Pennsylvania
/ railroad has been working It would
/ mean great loss 10 the public the Dis
| trlct or Columbia. ana the railroad COM
paniess occasiOned By the DELAY Of az
| least two years in the opening of the
| station and improvements
/ Inc railroads feel that the greatly
/ increased and unwarranted cost OF the
/ change IN the terminal system from
| steam 10 electricity just as arrange
| ments are completed for steam service
| as called for in the original acts is
/ suIIlclent cause for WithdFa wing section
/ = or the proposed bin The electrfhca-
/ ton of the steam railroad system OF a
| city IKE Washington. with its public
| celebration, necessitaCng the handling
/ within limited time of such large
/ numbers OF passengers and tons OF
| freight would require the railroads to
/ provide a plant TO supply power for a
/ maximum load, and yet be compelled
/ 10 operate at a great loss in CARRYING
/ the normal minimum load.
| The railroad companies could not af-
/ FORD TO assume the additional expense
! OF electrification of the Washington ter
I mtnal. and would necessarily, but very
/ much against their own Judgment be
compelled 10 make a terminal charge
I for cars within the District This
/ charge, which estimates show would be
az least 50 per car, would be paid at
nrst by the shipper, but finally by the
| consumer.
Looking for Smoke Consumers.
The railroads have shown. by the
| establishment OF a large and expensive
| freight yard outside the city limits
their desire 10 keep Washington free
/ from heavy freight movement as well
as smoke. After providing for the great
outlay of extensive buildings and yards
the railroads are interested in the pres
ervation of them. and may be relied
Continued on Ninth Page)