The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23
RACE QUESTION UP
IN HOUSE DEBATE
Proposal for Separate Cars ii
Washington Gives Rise to
Lively Discussion.

washington olVcS NioS W
Lively Discussion.
WASHINGTON. D. c., FaS.uary % -
Washingtons birthday in the House
of Representatives was commemorated
by lively debate on the negro ques-
ton. 1t arose out of an effort by Mr..
Heflin, of Alabama, to amend the Dis
trict OF Columbia street railway track.
age bill by requiring separate cars for
whites and negroes. For over an hour
and a half the subject was fought over,
with the resul. that the amendment
was overwhelmingly defeated. The
bill was passed. 1t provides for uni
versal transfers on the basis of cash
fares or six tickets for Is cents. 1t
also provides for street railway facili-
ties from all parts OF Washington to
the new Union Station.
Previously in the day the House was
greatly amused by Mr.. Campbell, OF
Kansas, relating an experience last
Sunday IN the new House office build
ing. when a number of children skated
down the corr.Gor, entered his room.
and greatly annoyed him. Pfs remarks
grew out of an active debate on the
resolution u appoint a number of po-
licemen for the building. and Mr. Cur
rier. in charge of the measure. hearing
or the episode of the children, got Mr..
Campbell to stand up ard tell the
House about it, in order 10 demonstrate
the necessity for the number of men
recommended.
The Race Question.
The race question came to the sur
face unexpectedly when Mr.. Helm.
Alabama, offered an amendment to the
District OF Columbia street railway
bill providing for Jim Grow" cars. NJ.
Helm declared that separate coaches
for the whites and blacks had solved
the race problem in Alabama, and he
expressed the opinion that such an
amendment would solve IT in Wash
ington. Mr.. Foster voiced his protest
against the amendment, and said that
1t was regrettabIe that on the birth
day of George Washington such an
un-American proposition should be ad.
vanced.
Does my friend believe Washington
himself would vote for this amend
ment If he was hcre?' inquired Mr..
Griggs, of Georgia, amid laughter.
"Emphatically, no. responded Mr..
Foster.
The amendment was bitterly fought
by Mr.. Madden, of Illinois, who asserted
that Congress- should never leSislate
in favor Of one element against an
other He was twitted by Mr.. Griggs,
who inquired Of him II he remembered
"the shotgun quarantine established by
c:ovornor Tanner against negroes"
Southern Men Come Up.
Mr.. Madden responded that he never
CONCEDED ' ne, 'E pu t - I'm. nmhs ~
Of Of sa a members were vainly seek
~, racognition
'ns e.W lhIos raca doe, M ,renare,rt
d,scr, n,um against ?" "1 injured e Mr
Humphreys, OF Missouri, who first got
the chalrman,s eye.
uoht SoHceae Tue IlSnt OF the gem
t!eman to ask such question:" Mr..
Madden replied. at which the Demo-
Gratis derisively laughed.
Mr.. Humphreys insisted that the
amendment did not discriminate. He
provoked Democratic laughter and ap.
pamse Wen ne said pontlhg 70 the
Ra,1mI'1ie, e, nay ~
Negroes hn comId not sec any members
nf Iues .srio oiu ot see any Iinr,ns
OF the 4 thn race IN NOSE ga.iell9s
cards to to TIE members galleries 70
W. sir NJ WI; ddeS ranIied "anl
LII, iHs' !, SIT, Mt. Maaaen nGpii,eu' aiU
Mr.. campbell or kansas' aetaen snt, t ne
negroes OF washington, ilsa shia ~
never noticed anything oiiehslVe Oh
e''.ti p hin ~ S st.rhs Wo,,r eo,1animitv
except sinai! children rel'i'irh MI
Clayton, OF Alabama. ,,, ~ -.
There are a Erean many Ky, ~!l n 40 lIcs