The Washington herald., 1908-04-14

pany Put Up Structure i'm south
Washington-QuOtes MacfarIaad.
Representative Carlin, CT Alexandria, in
a statement given out yesterday. takes is
sue with Commissioners Maefarland as 10
the question of the location OF theISouth
Washington railway station.
Mr.. Carlin several days ago, after a
thorough investigation Of the question.
gave out an interview in which the at
titude Of the Commissioners was rather
severely censured. Commissioner Macfar-
land Immediately replied. and the state
ment Of Mr. Carlin given below is an
answer TO Mr.. Macfarlands statement.
MF. CarIin's Statement.
Mr.. Carlin says;
notice in a statement given to the press by Com
missioner Mcfarland with reference to the location
Of the South Washington railway station and the
duties of the Commissioners in reference thereto.
that be says;
The matter does not rest with the Commissioners.
bat with Congress"
am a little surprised that Mr.. Mcfarland should
make the statement which De is reputed to have
made, because Congress has already acted in the
matter and its action win be found in section z Of
the act Of Congress, 1898, which is in the following
Language:
section p That the Philadelphia. Baltimore and
Washington Railroad Company shall establish and
maintain a substation, with suitable accumulation
for passenger travel at convenient location north
ot the Long Bridge and at a point to he approved
By the Commissioners Of the District Of Columbia
What else does Mr. Mcfarland desire Congress TO
doi And let us see what information be has given
congress on the subject. ON the 18th Of January
lss Sir Mcfarland sent the following letter b the
District Of Columbia Committee. Il in response
70 q resolution and bin introduced by me:
sIr. Macfarland's Letter.
Hon. S. ". Smith. Chairman Of Committee on
District Of Columbia, House # Representatives.
Dear SIR The Commissioners have the honor u
recommend uniarorable action upon H. r. 2l. en-
titled
90 A bin requiring the Philadelphia. Baltimore and
Washington Railroad Company to begin within
thirty days the construction Of substation 10 the
District Of Columbia aud prescribing penalties
which vas referred 10 them at your instance for their
views thereon.
The Philadelphia Baltimore and Washington
Railroad has prosecuted work the construction Of
a 7ubstaiion at the Long Bridge which IS already
required by law, With L.acb diligence as can be
expected. IN view q the great amount Of work re-
quired Of the railroad company in the elimination
or grade crossings IN that section and the necessity
81 90 conducting il at all times not 70 interfere
with traffic ft is possible that this mbstation nav
he completed within the time mentioned in the bill
under consideration, even If the bin should become
a law m the near future. FeIy respectfully.
lsgnedl HENRY p. r. MARFARLAND.
President of the Board OF Commissioners Of the
District of Columbia"
II, as Mr. Macfsrland says, the matter IS up %
Congress then why did he say IN his letter that the
railroad company had prosecuted work the con
struetion Of substation with much diligence as
can he typectedI And why did be say lit is pos
sibie that this snhstation may be completed within
she time mentioned in the bill under consideration
even # the bill should become a law in the near
fUturel"
The bin to which he refers was II. R. 27I. which
required the station 20 be completed within six
montns hom it spasssse.
Commissioners Had Power
Il Is PLAN to he seen from the above statement Of
facts that the Commissioners not only had the
power 70 require the erection Of a substatioB bit
that It their duty 10 have done So and there is
no escape FROM the fact that the delay in the con.
stHction of the substati0n is due TO the selection
oi the government property at Fourteenth street
the site for the station.
Now. If the Commissioners hold 10 their present
selection. the people Of Washington may never have
the station in question. because Congress, in nv
opinion, viii never grant any further gft of prop
orty 10 the railroad company. especially when il Is
a matter Of public knowledge that they have an
abundance Of property Of their own AZ a very much
more desirable point at which the station could be
constructed
Again. if the matter is up to Congress, Why have
not the Commissioners made some recommendation
% Congress in the matter9 They may have done So
bat ! have been unable 60 find upon investigation
oI the files Cf the committee room any correspond
ence which indicates OF reveals the fact that the
building of the station is being delayed for further
action On the part of Congress. and I venture the
assertion that there are not a half dozen men in
either branch Of Congress who aware of the fact
that government property Is desired for the location
Of the railroad station,
Public Is Interested.
The public is also interested in knowing who
originated the idea Of taking public land for this
station It IS not even limited at in the act Of
Congress. Can it be that the Commissioners are
willing 70 say that there is no other site suitable
Tor the station, and to say this in view Of the fact
that az Seventh street Immediately adjoining A
street line and where the grade is almost level
the railroad owns splendid site in every way suit
able for the stati1nl
do not wish 20 CTtiCise any action Of the Comnis
EicneTs IN the exercise Of their discretionary powers
but do not believe that there can be found the
same number oi men elsewhere in the city Of Wash
ington who VIII sgree with the Judgment Of the
Commissioners that the site selected by them at the
loot Of Fourteenth street is the more desirable
Let US see h0w the public Rill he affected if the
station built the site referred To- Every nsrson
going to and coming from the station. unless he
desire % walk, Will have 10 travel over the Mount
Vernon Railway Companys car line which sends
cars only az intervals OF twenty minutes and charges
an additional fare Of cents no transfer being al
lowed while II the Seventh street site were selected
passengers could be carried 10 and from the station
20 Intervals Of from two % three mnutessand trans
ieIred TO any part of the city of Washington.
People of the South. and especially Of Virginia
are unanimous so far they have given expression
% their views. in their opposition 70 the Fourteenth
street site. and believe that the same sentiment
exists among the people Of the city Of Washington
do not undertake. however To speak for them but
] have right 10 speak for my own people, because /
I know their wishes in the matter.
Let an Order Issue.
II the Commissioners wish 70 test their powers let
them issue ogdsr directing the railroad company
to erect a station on the Seventh street site upon
property owned by them. and If the railroad com |
pauy refuses to do so. then msndamus could bo |
sued cut against IT, and have no hesitaneg in saw
ing ] believe 1t would be compelled to forthwith /
begin the construction Of the station
This action the part Of the Commissioners will
make it unnecessary for Congress to make further
donation Of government land and will in nv onin /
iun meet the wishes Of everybody except, uerhars 1
the railroad COMPANY
Five years have elapsed since the passage Of the /
act requiring the station 10 be built So far as
have been able 10 ascertain nothing has been done
toward the erection Of station except the salec-
ton Of an impossible site During this period 81 avs
years Congress has been in session many times and
II relief was expected of Congress it would seem that
abundant time has been given 10 ask for il.
This is all that / to say On the subject AZ
present beJond the fact that ] would ike 10 see 1
the station erected before We hare al grown old /
and gay.
May Place John Mitchell.
John Mitchell former president of the /