The Washington herald., 1908-01-21

ate Committee on the District OF Colum-
bia. yesterday won a battle which he has
been lighting for three years, when the
Union Station traCkags bill was passed
by the Senate without having saddled
upon It amendments which would bring
out the opposition OF the street railway
companies.
The universal transfers amendment
which was offered by Senator Hans
brough when Senator Ganinger introduced
the bill, but was voted upon adversely
in the District Committee. was again Of
fered by the Senator from North Dakota,
but as forecasted in The Washington
Herald. it was not pushed with any de-
termination Senator Hansbrough declar-
ing that he dtd not desire 10 defeat the
trackage biH but had merely aimed to
use it as a vehicle for legislation which
he felt could not be secured unless it
were embraced in some measure which
the companies themselves desired to pass.
No Opposition TO Bill.
The debate which preceded the passage
Of the bin was short ana developed no
opposition to the bill itself. When Sen
ator Gallinger called it up. Senator TIL
man asked for time in which TO press his
queries as to the failure Of the Secretary
of the Treasury TO send 10 the Senate in
formation which had been called for, but
was careful to say that ne not only did
not desire to delay the trackage bill. but
was heartily in favor OF it, as he for one.
had been walking through the mud" to
reach the station quite as long as he de-
sired to do 50.
Senator Gallinger offered several minor
amendments TO the phraseology Of the
bill, intended 10 strengthen # legally and
also 10 make its provisions mandatory
upon the companies, which were adopted.
After the bin had been read, Senator
Hansbrough offered his amendment, pro-
viding for additional transfers. and asked
that il be appended to the bill as a sepa-
rate section The amendment was read.
and Senator Tillman called attention to
the fact that the universal transfers pro
vision applied only to cash fares" He
remarked that Washingtonians now OBJ
tain six tickets for quarter. and wanted
20 know If it was proposed 10 return TO
q cash-fare basis.
Senator Carter Explains.
Senator Carter explained that the
amendment proposed 10 limit the number
Of transfers TO be secured upon a ticket
10 one as at present, whereas. under
its terms, those who paid cash fares
could secure unlimited transfers. Sena-
tor Hansbr0ugh corrected him by stating
that the intention was that cash fares
should be entitled to two transfers, and
area taT 81, 4r,f
standing. two transfers would entitle the
holder of such privilege TO practically
a continuous ride around the city.
Senator Tillman appealed TO Senator
Gallinger for an explanation of this 5p-
parent conflict Of opinion. and Senator
Gallinger replied that Senator CarteFs
rendering was exactly correct. Senator
Tillman then spoke briefly against the
adoption of the amendment. recalling the
testimony given before the House com
mittee last week. 20 the effect that the
people of this city do not desire reduced
fares or universal transfers, but are anx-
ious To secure better car service.
GaIIinger Speaks for Bill.
Senator Ganinger declared that he was
anxious TO have the bill passed. for it
not only was urgently needed, but had
been a burden upon his committee for
three years. Mr.. Hansbrough's amend
ment. he said. had been offered IN the
Senate and discussed in the District Com
mittee, and he called upon Senator Hans
brough TO bear him out IN the statement
that its authors vote had been the only
one cast for the adoption of the amend
ment in that committee. It was the sense
of the committee and Of all those who
desired the passage Of the bin that il
should not be incumbered with anything
not geTmane 10 the object which it aimed
10 bring about-the extension Of the
tracks to the Union Station
If universal transfers were desired. he
said, they should he dealt with in a sep
arate measure, which should be well and
deeply considered before final action was
taken upon It. He could not. he said.
without deep study Of all the points in
volved in such a question. commit him
self 10 such measure He confirmed
Senator TillnaHs statement that the peo-
pie Of the District are more anxious for
improved service than for universal trans
feTs. The hope had been expressed in
prominent places he recalled, that AT a
not very distant date the street railway
companies Of the District might be con-
solidated. and If this were brought about
universal transfers would come as a mat
ter Of course
D0es Not Bar Transfers.
Senator Clapp asked if there were any
thing IN the trackage bill which would
operate against the success Of a move
ment to secure universal transfers
through a separate bill. and Senator Gal
lingeT assured him without qualification
that there was not.
Senator Tillman called Mr. Gallinger's
attention to the desire for cross-town
line. and asked if there were in the bill
any provision for such a line. Senator
Gallinger replied that there was not as
such line would not Immediately affect
communication with the station. He di- !
rected the Senator's attention to the fact /
that Senator Rurkett had that dav in /
troduced bill proposing to bring about /
the construction OF just such line The /
District Committee OF the Senate he felt 4
sure, would unanimously favor such a 1
bill.
Senator Hansbrough said that his |
amendment had been before the Senate 4
two or three times before. and that once 4
It had been adopted He admitted how
ever, that II has few friends in the SEN /
ate. Senator GaIlinger informed him that /
the Senate had never acted upon the
amendment. Senator Hansbrough ip-
sisted that he was right and Senator
Gallinger repeated his correction. THE
Senator dlsagrees with me- said Senator
Hansbrough, and continuing his remarks.
he said that there We're good reasons
for the adoption not only of this amend /