Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-03
THE HOUSE FOR
THREE-CENT FARES
Amendment to the Railway Tx
tension Bill Adopted.
CHEERS GREETED RESULT
Anti-Smoke Law Extended to Loco
motives.
MEASURE GOES TO CONFERENCE
It Has No Chance of Getting Through
the Senate in Its Present.
Shape.
CHEERS GREETED RESULT
Anti-Smoke Law Extended to Loco
motives.
MEASURE GOES TO CONFERENCE

The House of Representatives last night
passed the bill authorizing the extension of
the local street railway systems to the
Union station, and by a decisive vote adopt
ed an amendment providing for Scent fares
in the District of Columbia. But b. one of
those legislative peculiarities that are some
times remarked the House failed to provide
any penalty for violations of this Scent fare
provision.
The 3-cent fare section did have a severe
penalty attached to 1t, but this same sec
ton also contained a paragraph providing
that II a passenger was not able to secure
seat on a street car he need not pay his
fare. This latter proposition was, of course,
eliminated by the House, but through an
inadvertence. or otherwise. the penalty pro-
vision was stricken out with it.
Penalty provision or no penalty provision,
1t is conceded, even by the most ardent rail-
way reformers In the House. that the 3-cent
fare amendment has no chance of getting
through the Senate, and consequently last
nights performance by the House Is valu-
able chiefly as an indication of the temper
of the lower branch of the national legisla-
ture-the board of aldermen of the District
railway corporations.
"A
stitute for the Senate measure. with some
important changes in routes, with an anti
smoke law provision and a 3-cent9 fare
amendment 1t goes to conference in this
shape.
The greatest possible interest was mani
tested in the proceedings on the floor of the
House last night. the galleries being crowd
ed from early in the evening until fter all
local business had been disposed of. After
one vote, which showed the way the House
intended to act on the 3-cent fare amend
ment the applause from the galleries was
so loud that Speaker Cannon was forced to
ca. for order and to say that the visitors
were there to listen and not to applaud.
The advocates of 3-cent fare legislation
were intensely jubilant over the action of
the House, and say that if they don't get
final action on their proposition this session
they certainly will next year.
Special Rule Opposed.
When the House reassembled after the
recess last evening the following special
rule. under suspension of the rules, was
offered:
THAT Immediately upon the adoption of
this order it shall be in order to take up
the bill Is. CAD entitled An act authoriz-
ing changes in certain street railway tracks
within the DlStrlCI Oh Columbia ana LOT
other purposes with the amendment there
to reported by the committee on the Dis
trict OF Columbia, to offer thereto the fol-
lowing amendments:
''First-To strike out section 10 of the
House substitute providing for wide tires
unless the said amendment shall be ruled
out on a point of order.
"Second-To provide for universal three
cent fares. to be collected only from pas
sengers provided with seats.
After votes on the aforesaid amend
ments the question shall be on the COM
mittee amendment and on the bill to a maj
passage without intervening motion or ap-
peal"
Mr. Babcock said that for several years
the manufacturers and wholesale people OF
the city had been forced to comply with the
smoke law This bill requires the locomo-
tives of the railway companies to come I'M
der the provisions of the law
Mr. PAYNE asked. SarCaStically, II the Dill
provided that the railway companies shall
carry any one free. Mr.. Babcock replied
In the negative.
Mr. James Urges Lower Fares.
Representative James or Kentucky, au-
thor Of The 3-cent fare amendment, said
that his amendment gave the House an
opportunity 70 vote on Scent fares. He
said in support Of his amendment that
while the Congress had been legislating
or railroads ana every other subject under
the sun. an outrage was being perpctrated
by the local street railway companies right
under the shadow Of the Capitol He then
took UP the question Of the franchises and
the capitalization OF the Capital Traction
Company and the Washington Railway and
Electric Company. He considered Il an out
rage he said. in view of the immense divi-
bends that both these corporations were
pa wing on watcrsI stock that they should
be permitted TO charge ash fare of d
cents or to sell six tickets for a quarter.
He appealed to his colleagues 10 do some
thing for the people OF tEe District of CO.
lum5ia. who had 10 representatives in
Congress, to pass tie 3-cent fare amend
ment.
Mr. James was frequently interrupted by
applause from his colleagues the floor
or from the spectators in the galleries, and
he had a big audience. The galleries were
crowded and hundreds OF visitors thronged
the corridors outside Of the gallery doors,
waiting for chance 10 catch n glimpse of
the interior of the chamber or TO hear a
word or two Of the debate.
Mr.. James reviewed the arguments made
by the advocates of the Scent fare amend
ment. characterizng them sound and
effective. He then resumed his seat, re-
serving the balance OF his time.
Universal Transfers.
Representative Sims OF Tennessee a DEM
ocrJtic member of the House District COM
mittee then took the floor for ten min-
utes. Mr.. sims said he would refrain
from offering the amendment for universal
transfers, although he believed something
should be done. The street railway com.
panles. he said. will do nothing until forced
They would not put on the vestibules to
protect their motormeh unit. compelled to
by Congress He declared that the cap
iial stock of the Capital Traction Com
2&ny had advanced in price from IS cents
10 s1.4I. representing advance OF more
than Sl0G90o00 in the stock.
Yet" said Mr. Sims, ''the Capital Trac-
Gcn Company people say they will not have
free transfers; they will not give something
for nothing"
He said that when he asked President
Dunlop IL he would sell his stock at present
Dgices in case the universal transfer amend