Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-21
TRACKS TO UNION
STATION ASSURED
Conference on the Bill Adopted
by the House.
SIMS OPPOSES IN VAIN
Agreement Ratified by . Vote Of
1874 to 122.
DROP UNIVERSAL TRANSFERS
Practically All the Democrats and
a Number Of Republicans
for the Proposition.
DROP UNIVERSAL TRANSFERS

By vote OF I64 to I22 the
House OF Representatives today
agreed to the conference report
on the Union station permanent
trackage bill. The main features
OF this agreement. which has
heretofore been published in de-
tail in The Star. are tracks to the
Union station. a cross-town line.
supervision by the interstate COM
merce commission. and a pro-
vision to compel the railroad
companies to run modern sanitary
cars at regular intervals.
The comparative closeness Of the vote
in favor OF adopting the conference re-
port on the Union station track bill was
due entirely to the fight made by ad-
vocates of the universal transfer propo-
stiOn. led by Representative Sims OF
Tennessee. The conferees struck out
the universal transfer provision from
the perfected bill. and Mr.. Sims and his
followers. including practically all the
democrats and number Of republicans,
endeavored, but unsuccessfully. to put
it back. During the debate on the con-
ference report. which lasted one hour.
Mr.. Sims made rather sensational re-
mark. saying. Thank God. 1 am glad
there are some members on the floor
who do not bow and cringe every time
a corporation cracks its whip"
There seems to be pretty general sat
isfaction at both ends of the Capitol
with the action Of the House today.
which is expected to meet with practt-
calIy unanimous approval Of the peo-
pie of the District. who. as has Deen
known for some time. are much more
interested in getting tracks to tne
Union station and additional facilities
and improved service than they are in
getting universal transfers.
Report Called Up.
Chairman Smith Of the House District
committee called up the conference re-
port and said he would move the pre-
yious question in one hour. The Speaker
announced that this hour would be de
yided equally between Mr. smith and Mr..
Sims of Tennessee. the only one Of the
three cOnferees who did not sign the re-
port.
In a brief speech Mr. Smith urged the
adoption by the House of the conference
report He said the House conferees had
succeeded in securing some substantial
concessions. including the provisions Tor
a cross-tOwn line and supervision Dy the
interstate commerce commission. as wen
as a provision to compel the local street
railway companies to run clean. sanitary,
properly equipped cars at regular inter-
walls The extension in question. which
the local traction companies had not
asked for and did not want. would cost
ami the Washington Railway and Elec-
trio Company. $4J0.GO0. a total of 81 .s1O:OdO
did you say were were asking them
to do this work or that they were ask
ing us permission to do t: asked Rep-
rescntative Underwood of Alabama
I'VE are asking them, replied MI.
Smith.
Mr.. Cushman of Washington then in
quited If the two local companies were
under one ownership and MI. smith re-
piled that they were not.
Then how can you demand that they
exchange transfers. these companies De-
ing unrelated?" asked Mr.. Cushman.
Mr. Smith replied that in a previous re-
nort 10 the House he had already called
attention to the possible unconstitutional
ity Of any universal transfer legislation
that Congress might enact.
Judge Norris of Nebraska asked II the
Interstate Commerce Commission would
have time enough. with all its other du-
ties, to properly look after the local rail-
way companies and Mr.. Smith replied that
he thought 1t would
ReDreSonId1lNc MduueH Va IullOtS. GU.
thor of the original universal transfer
provision. told the House that he regret
ted that the House cOnferees had round 1t
necessary to yield on important provisions
of the bill like that providing for universal
transfers.
Styled Brazen EfRrontery.
THE brazen effrontery with which the
street railway companies of this city
dictate the policy under which they
shall operate surpasses the impudence
Of any street railway corporation l have
ever known" he declared vehemently.
Mr.. Madden then started to quote from
senator's utterances on the hoor OF the
Senate recently to the effect that no
legislation except such as was desired
by the local street railway corporation
could ever be enacted by the Congress
Of the United States, but he was called
to order by Speaker Cannon at the sug-
gestion Of Majority Leader Payne, but
Mr. Madden steamed right ahead. and
while Mr. Payne yelled for order and
Uncle Joe banged the sounding board
of his desk with his gavel he managed
to get in the remark above mentioned
and was loudly applauded
Mr.. Madden also wanted to know what
business the interstate commerce com
mission had to be- charged win tne
regulation of the street railways VI 'ne
National capital.
"They should be supervised by those
who conduct the affairs of this city he
said land IL is an insult 10 the ihteiu-
aance of this House to bring in such
Regulation provision as we have offered
to us today. The kind OF regulations
hose local traction companies need Is 10
compel them to have air brakes on their
cars and to run clean cars on regular
schedules. With these antiquated hand
brakes that are now on all the cars In
this city you can't get on street car
without being thrown on your race every
time the motorman stops a little suddenly.
And some of the cars running arouna s.s,1
town now look as If they had oeen ouilt
rom discarded fragments of Noah's ark.
The people here are entitled to respecta-
bl. service. and respectable service cannot
be secured through regulation by the IN
terstate Commerce Commission.
And these local traction companies say
they cannot afford to give universal trans
fers? Perhaps not but they can AFFORD
to pay dividends on four-times watered
stock" applause from both sides of the
chamberD
Conferees Commended
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