Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-22
CHARGED To POLITICS. READY TO LAY TRACKS
Sensational Turn in Baoting Local Street Railway Com
for N. E. Bishops. panies Await Signal.
NJ E. CONFERENCE AROUSED WILL GET BUSY ON PLAZA
Goo Replies Accusation Signing Bill by President All That
Being Divorce. Is Necessary.
IOWA AFTER NEXT SESSION PLANS FOR SPEEDY ACTION
Extended Practically
Amendment Tabled Could Made in
WILL GET BUSY ON PLAZA
Signing Of Bill by President All That
Is Necessary.
PLANS FOR SPEEDY ACTION
Tentative Arrangements Covering
Practically Every Situation That
Could Arise Made in Advance.

SOul0 oX1SS uA0uC Al 0ovoASSs
Almost before the ink dries with which
President Roosevelt affixes his signature
to the Union station trackage bill the
laborers employed by the Washington
Railway and Electric Company and the
Capitol Traction Company will be engaged
in the preliminary work of installing the
tracks. The necessity for expedition In
getting an electric car service to the
station is recognized by the companies. as
well as by the travelling public.
The Washington Railway and Electric
Company has already prepared it's plans.
with the view of beginning work as soon
as the bill becomes law. The Capital
Traction Company is showing similar
activity.
The following statement was given out
at the offices of the Washington Railway
and Electric Company today:
For some months past-beifeving that
Congress would. before the close OF the
present session. provide for tracks to
the Union stauOn-the interested COM
panies have been busily engaged in doing
everything possible prior to legislation to
prepare for such construction as Congress
might require. Tentative plans covering
almost every situation that could possibly
and all things short of actually ordering
material have been done. Until tho
routes were specifically set forth orders
could not be placed, because all the per-
manent construction is Of the under
ground variety common in this city.
This is so unlike the surface construc-
ton used everywhere else except i'm New
York city that no excavating or manu-
featuring step may be taken until the
essential engineering has been completed
and approved by the authorities. The
routes now having been established by
law, the requisite plans are being checked
up by the supervising engineers. and inn
mediately following the approval Of the
plans by the District Commissioners all
orders will be placed.
Ready Before inaugural Period.
Inquiries made some time ago Of the
very few firms equipped to supply the
very intricate special work and tube ma
terial have brought forth the Information
that deliveries might possibly be made in
from seven to eight months. 1t II be-
lieved that this can be done, 80 there 10
good ground for the statement that all
the main connections with the Union sta
tion will be in operating condition some
time before the forthcoming inaugural
period.
1T may be that some of the longer ex-
tensions may not be completed by that
time. but it is reasonably sure that all
the work will be done we'll within the
limit of May 1. 1909. which is prescribed
ways the possibility OF uncommon delay
due to conditions beyond the control OF
the local companies. but to Offset those
there will be uncommon energy by the
engineering and construction forces.
Work on Temporary Tracks.
~ ork on the temporary tracks will be
gin Immediately after President Roosevelt
approves the act of Congress. The tenn
porary line will run from c street north
along Delaware avenue to the north line
of Massachusetts avenue, power being
furnished the cars by the overhead sys-
tenn.
..All the material for this temporary
line is now on hand and ready to be IN
stalled. The act provides that this work
shall be completed within SIXTY days from
the date of the approval of the act. but
1t is the desire and hope Of the compa-
nes to have the cars running before the
middle of June.
"Au arrangements for facilitating the
work-both temporary and permanent
have been made by Maj. Jay J. Morrow.
Engineer Commissioner who will not
permit any technicallties, II there shsli
be SUCH 10 interfere with the general de-
sire for public transportation TO ana
from the Union station"
Capital Traction Company's Plans.
George T.. Hamilton. president of the
Capital Traction Company. when asked
what plans are under consideration by
his company TO run its temporary tracks
to the Union station, provided by
Congress. said that although the definite
details have not been made. the company
will go right ahead and make every ef-
fort to expedite matters.
>l,,ra hat NJ
the work will be done Jointly with the
Washington Railway and Electric Com
pany. and he feels positive that by
jumping in and rushing matters" both
companies will have their tracks down
according to the direction by Congress
and within the time limit. He said that
he will be able to furnish the detailed
plans within few days.
Gratifying to Commissioners.
The passage of the bill providing for
the extenion of street railway tracks to
the new Union station is particularly
gratifying to Maj. j. J. Morrow. En-
gineer Commissioner. He has been
actively engaged in the interest of the
car tracks extensions to the station for
a long time. The routes named in the bill
as it finally passed were identical with
those provided in the bill prepared by the
commissioners. Will the duQNlOH OI tH0
tracks along Florida avenue and Sth street
east which. while not included in the
Commissioners bill. were recommended
in their letter forwarding the bill to Con-
gress.
The Commissioners have recognized
that the main object of street railway
legislation this session was to provide the
necessary extensions to reach the Union
station. and while they believe that some
legislation providing for the supervision
of street railways should be enacted. they
did not include this In the bill. as they be-
lieve that this might prevent such eX-
tensions being provided for at this ses-
sion. They did. however, forward a bill
to Congress providing for the regulation
of all public service corporations, includ-
ing street railways.
The provision of the bill as passed. plac.
ing the supervision of street railways
under the interstate commerce commits.
sion. while not what the Commissioners
desired. is in line with their suggestion OF
some proper supervision over street rail-
ways The Commissioners believe that
they. as the executive authority of the
District. should have this authority, but
as the main object TO be gained was ia
provide for the supervision over the ope-
ration of the railways and the regulation
of the schedules. the Commissioners say
they feel that right step has been takes
in this direction.