Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-25


broad-tire bill, and Representative Mann Of
Illinois considered it very unusual to bring
into the House on District day several inn
portant propositions tied to one measure
and to be considered under a suspension OF
the rules.
Mr.. Babcock explained that the House had
already acted on both the smoke and broad
tire bills but that both of these measures
had been unfavorably considered in the
Senate. He thought a large portion of the
objection to the broad-tire bill had been
eliminated by the committee amendment In
creaSing the maximum weight of loads
which might be borne by narrow tires from
1900 pounds, including the weight of the
wagon, to two tons, exclusive of the wagon.
wagon.
No Amendments in Order.
Representative James then wanted to
know if amendments to the bill were in or
der and the Speaker replied in the negative.
But" cried Mr.. James with some heat,
1.-The chairman of the House District COM
mittee said that when this bill came up,
that amendments for lower fares would be
germane and in order. But we find that no
amendment of any character is in order. l
appeal to this House to vote down this bill,
so that we may force the chairman OF the
District committee to bring it up under
different parliamentary situation, and to
keep faith with this House,
Chairman Babcock, replying to Mr.. James,
admitted that he had made the statement
attributed to him, but said that it had
been made in good faith.
'Tll test your good faith" returned Mr..
James. Il will offer a Scent fare amend
ment and to do this, l will ask unanimous
consent that the motion to suspend the
rules and pass this bill may be considered
as amended to include my proposition
Representative Mann of Illinois promptly
jumped up and objected, and in reply to
some criticism Of his action, said that he
did not approve of the manner in which the
railway bin was being handled and would
vote against that measure.
Representative Madden of Illinois then
asked unanimous consent to offer his uni
versal stsaasfef amendment as an amend
ment to the BILL and Mr.. Mann renewed his
objection.
. An amendment proposed by Mr.. Sulzer to
force the railway companies to sell tickets
at the rate of two for five cents also went
out on an objection by Mr.. Mann.
Mr.. Williams Advice.
Representative John Sharp Williams Of
Mississippi the democratic floor leader,
pointed out that the House could not hope
by unanimous consent to amend the COM
mittees bill, and said that in conse-
quence, those members who were opposed
to the broad-tire amendment would have to
try to kill the whole bill in order to knock
out that one obnoxious provision. He said
he had asked Chairman Babcock whether
and Virginia contiguous to Washington had
approved the bill. and he had understood
Mr. Babcock to say that they had no OBJ
lection to it, To show that this was not
the fact, Mr.. Williams asked and secured
permission to publish in the record protests
he had received from farmers nearby to
Washington.
Representative Hepburn said he sincerely
hoped that the House would not agree to
Chairman Babcock's motion.
This is District day. he said. This BILL
which it Is moved to pass under suspension
of the rules. could be brought before the
some reason for this performance. And
there is a reason! 1t was done for no
other purpose than to cut off debate on the
bill and prevent amendments, and 1 say
that that is in bad faith to this House.
The gentleman from Wisconsin, Mr.. Bah
cock, has assured us on many occasions.
both publicly and privately, that there
would be a bill of this nature brought in on
which these proposed amendments would be
germane and in order. And now the gen.
tleman from Wisconsin is trying to crowd
this bill through in this manner without
debate and without amendment This day
belongs to the District of Columbia and
there is no power that can abridge it, l
hope this bill will be promptly voted down."
Fares on Street Railways.
Continuing, Mr.. Hepburn took UP the
matter Of fares on street railways in the
District and to the statement of the trac-
ton companies that it would not be right
for Congress to reduce them. Mr.. Hepburn
said that he learned the other day that
one of the companies was capitalized for
$229, 900 for each single track mile of road.
With this burden 1t was no wonder, he
said, that they felt that lower fares would
not pay. 1
He said that one of the local corporations
had gathered in thirteen subsidiary roads.
of ha o6 tod ofchf anf ho
now, but they were being held
by those who owned them for their specu-
lative value and because Of the fact that
they were increasing in value all the time
And yet, he said, on the plea that some Of
these roads were not remunerative the
people who had to use them were being
stripped of every vestige of comfort that
they might be expected to enjoy after pay
Ing their fare.
Mr. Babcock insisted that his only reason
for calling up the street car bill uncer the
of the rules was to save time.
"How did you vote in committee on three
cent fares? yelled Representative James
to Mr.. Babcock across the chamber. But
the Speaker sat down hard on Mr. James
and the District committee chairman did
not have to answer.
Representative Sims Of Tennessee, a
member of the House District committee,
said that no one on the floor wanted to
amend the bill any more than he did. He
thought 1t would be immensely improved by |
time, he wanted to see the broad-tire bill |
and the smoke-law amendment applying to |
locomotives go through the House. and he |
was afraid this wouldn't be possible II the |
bill were brought up under the regular pro- |
,edure with privilege Of amendment
Babcock Defeated.
A viva voce vote was then taken, and 1t |
was quite apparent that the opponents of |
the bill outnumbered Chairman Babcocf |
and his followers. But the District chair |
man demanded a yea and nay vote. The |
result showed SO members in favor of the |
bill and $50 against it. The announcement |
Of the result was met with great applause. |
The House then passed with particular |
discussion Senate bill 45O6. to provide for /
the better registration of births In the |
District of Columbia: Senate bill 0993, to |
create the Barnaby road from its inter-
section with Livingston road to the Dis
trict line public highway in the District: |
Senate bill 820S authorizing the extension
of Park place northwest along the west |
line Of the Soldiers Home land with q