The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-03-31
HOT TINE POSSIBLE
Gallinger Nay Arraign Sims
At Meeting To-day.
INTERVIEW Anglers SENATORS
They See I'm Statement Regarding
Union Station Track Conference
ImDutatiOn that They Are Infiu-
enced by Corporate Interests Az
fected by BiII-Chairman Indignant.

Senator Gallinger will call a fourth
meeting of the conferees on the Union
Station trackage bin this afternoon, and
il is hoped that some material progress
will be made toward an agreement.
While no information can be secured
from the members Of the joint conference
committee TO this effect, it is learned that
the meeting to-day may be enlivened by
incidents not directly bearing upon the
bill itself
1t is said, indeed, that Senator Gallinger
VIII call the attention Of the conferees to
the alleged mistake Of one Of the House
conferees in giving TO local newspapers
an interview in which ne put the burden
Of the failure 10 agree upon the shoulders
Of the Senate conGerees. at the same time
so the Senators interpret the Interview
insinuating. either by accident or by de-
sign. that these gentlemen are influenced
| by the railway companies in their atti-
tude upon the bill
Senator's Resent InsInuatiOn.
The offending member is Representative
Sims of Tennessee. In an interview pub
/ lished some days ago he was quoted as
saying, in effect. that the Senate members
Of the conference committee had been
holding UP the desired agreement, and
that if the railway companies would indi-
cate a Willingness 10 accept universal
transfers. as proposed in the House bill,
this opposition would cease.
The interview itself, according TO the
view taken OF the matter by Senators.
was a violation Of the executive character
which all conferences between the two
houses are supposed TO have. All that
is said or done in such meetings is sup
posed to be secret. and il is considered
incumbent upon all confereeS to main
tain silence regarding such meetings I'M
less the conferees Jointly authorize the
publication OF the proceedings
GaIIInger L. DispIeHSed.
In talking with a friend yesterday, Sen
ator Gallinger. chairman Of the confer
ence. expressed great indignation IN dis
cussing the Sims interview. The Senator
said:
This statement Of Mr.. Sims is not
only violation OF the executive char
acter of the conferences, but I certainly
object to his insinuating that Senators
and members Of my committee are con-
trolled by the corporation interests which
are involved IN this pending legislation.
Mr.. Sims action in giving out this ia
teryiew was altogether opposed 10 the
prOpo- rules governing such conferences,
but IL is not calculated 10 further the
agreement which he affects 70 so earnest
Is desire"
Senator Gallinger's visitor also AYERS
that the Senator said that he WAS consid-
ering bringing the interview 10 the atten-
ton of the conference.
Il IS notorious about the Capitol that
Mr. Sims is himself largely responsible
for the delay in reaching an agreement IN
the conference. He does not desire any
compromise regarding the universal trans
fers proposition. nor VIII he agree IL is
understood to modification Of the section
Of the House bill which confers on the
Commissioners Of the District super
visory powers over the railway lines IN
the city. The Senators IN standing against
the transfers proposition and the strict
supervision accorded 70 the Commission
ers. are simply abiding by the decision Of
their colleagues in the Senate. who voted
overwhelmingly against these PROPOSE
tons
Sims QuizEed Engineers.
At one meeting OF the conferees Mr..
Sims. il is understood. consumed some
thing like three hours In attempting 10
break Gown the testimony Of four engi-
neers Of experience and ability. who were
called upon 10 give their opinions regard
ing the routes proposed for the tracks.
In the light of these facts. his col
leagues on the committee are not dis
posed TO submit tamely 70 the charge
credited TO him hat they are response
bic for the delay md they view with in
dignation the imputation which they see
in the interview that they are in anywise
influenced by the desires OF the railway
companies. as opposed to what they deem
the best interests a the community at
large.
The contention OF the Senators has
been that the majority OF the people OF
Washington. through their representa-
tiveS before the House committee. ex-
pressed no desire for universal transfers.
and indicated a decided preference for
improved service conditions over the uni
versal transfers, OF which Judge Sims has
constituted himself they say, the cham
pion.
All of which points to the possibility
that to-day's meeting Of the conferees
may not be altogether without Incl
dents of an interesting nature. especially
if Senator Gallinger should decide TO take
official cognizance of the interview al
! Lee L.. l.