Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-23
SIGNS TRACKAGE BILL
President Affixes Signature,
Making Measure Law.
WORK TO BEGIN AT ONCE
officials of Railway Companies Will
Proceed Promptly.
VIEWS OF COMMISSIONERS
Messrs. Macfarland and West Ex-
press Satisfaction and Congratu-
late Maj. Morrow.

| In clear bold letters the name ''Iheo-
| dore Roosevelt appears at the bottom of
the cngrossed bill authorizing the Wash
ington Railway and Electric Company
and the Capital Traction Company To
lay temporary tracks to the Union sta
| tion.
| The President affixed his signature TO
the act this morning and it thereby be-
| came law. The news that the important
document had been signed was quickly
| communicated to the railroad corpora
tions. to the station officials and others
| interested
| The railroad men at the terminal sta
| ton were particularly happy over the
prospect of soon having modern electric
ears gliding almost to the very portals of
| the structure.
| 1t is said that soon as the informa
| tion that the President had made the
| trackage bill law was received the Off
GERS of the two railroad companies gave
orders that all expedition should be used
| in rushing the work of arranging for the
Introduction of the system to the station.
If present plans do not miscarry it was
explained, the work of installation will
be commenced bright and early Monday
| morning.
Grateful t. Congress.
Gratitude was expressed to Congress
for passing the bill which will in effect
wipe out the one disagreeable feature
connected with a trip to the Capital city
by rail- Travelling men recalled recent
stormy and rainy periods when they were
compelled to wade through mud to reach
the street car lines or else pay hack hira
They also recalled the recent picture in
The Star showing prospective conditions
on the plaza in front of the Station-now
waste of dust and unsightliness-and in
their minds saw visions of the plaza of
the future, with its green lawns flower
beds and fountains. and, above all. the
whizzing, whrring electric cars gliding
about the curves to the high pillared en-
trance which leads to the great train
concourse. The thought of many found
expression that in a few weeks the cars
will be running and the agony will be
over.
Strangers congratulated Washington
ans that after the strenuous fight in Con-
gress victory had at last perched upon
the banners of the temporary trackage
bill.
The necessary permits for the prepara-
| tory work have been issued by the en-
Sineer department of the District
/ bcIoTe Tie actual WOfK OF extending the
tracks can be commenced certain material
must be purchased and contracts and
| plans approved by the officials of the two
| companies. However, in anticipation of
the passage of the bill both compa MES s
have acquired considerable material and
have practically completed plans.
To Proceed on Delaware Avenue.
| According to officials &C the railways
and of the District. the work will be
commenced at Delaware a-,enue and C
stree. Both of the companies now oper-
i ate on c street. The first construction
will be in exten1ing the tracks from c
| street northeriy on Delaware avenue to
the loop at the plaza in front of the sta
| tion entrance. Although considerable of
| the extension will be of n temporary ma
| ture. botn Of the companies have deter
mined to do as much of the permano N
work possible at the outset. Although
| the overhead trolley will be used in oper-
atins the cars on the extended tracks for
the time being. in laying the tracks the
permanent underground power system
will be constructed where practicable.
In extending the tracks on Delaware
| avenue from G. street the permanent un-
| derground system will be constructed as
| far as Massachusetts avenue. or possibly
| a short distance north of the beginning
| of the plaza I'LL
| All the preparatory arrangements at
| the District building for both the tenn
| porary and permanent work have been
| made by Maj. Morrow. Engineer Commits
sioner. He has publicly stated that he
| will not permit technicaIities. if there be
| such. to interfere with providing trans
portation facilities.
Railway Companies Active
Our company is making all the needed
preparations" George f. Hamilton presi-
dent of the Capital Traction Company
said today. before We can begin the
| work of actual construction
1 similar expression was made by Off
| cials of the Washington Railway and
| Electric Company
! When il was learned at the Distrc,
! building this morning that the President
had signed the bill W. p. Richards Dis
| necessary surveys on Delaware avenue fol
| the placing of the tracks and poles. an,
he was engaged in that task until thi.
| afternoon. With the rapidity of circu.
movers. laborers of the traction conpa
nies succeeded in dumping several wagor
loads OF iron yokes.' used in the under
ground system: poles. 10 hold the over
head wires: tracks and other material:
in the neighhorhood of Delaware avenu,
and stree 'odaS. Many persons who
happened in that vicinity al the time
stopped and watched the proceedings will
apparent qualification.
Views of Mr.. Macfarland.
When informed that the President haS
| signed the bill Commissioner Macfarlant
| said he was exceedingly glad 10 learn o.
il. "Of course there can be but one opinion
as 10 getting the street railway track:
To The Union station he said. The de
lay in providing street railway facilitic.
I for the many thousands of travellers ha.
caused us all deep regret. and | AN
| heartily thankful that that condition al
the Union station causing such incenven
ience. such discomfort and in the case OF
the sick. and especially women and chill
dren. in bad weather such suffering will
soon be removed We are Informed thai
the traction companies will lose no tim,
in getting service established at tn.
Union station. and that the whole installa
tion will be fully completed at least ;
. fortnight before inauguration day rher
the noble gateway of the CITY, the Unio,
station. Will be so connected that ever
the great crowds of the Inauguration
period can, be properly taken over tn,
city.
>As to the northeast crosstown line
congratulations are in order To the tho,l
sands Of people who will he accommo
dated. May add that great credit is dns
| Engineer m ~in far nI +