Evening star., 1908-01-27

fenn6yiSan1a. MAIDEN or Illinois, author
Of the universal transfer bill; James OF
Kentucky. advocate of 3-cent fares; Hep
burn of Iowa, who demands better street
car schedules and facilities along every
line, and Mann of Illinois, who wants to
know about everything everywhere.
Many Points Of Difference.
Mr.. Sims in defending the temporary bill
for tracks explained that there were many
questions of difference in the House Dis
trict committee with reference to the
permanent construction, and that 1t was
absolutely necessary, while these points
were being settled, to let the railways go
ahead with the construction of these
temporary tracks In order that the travel
ing public might not be compelled to wade
through mud and slush to the nearest
car track from the station. This state.
ment brought Representative Payne Of
New York to his feet.
Personally" said Mr.. Payne. IT would
rather walk to and from the station and
the cars until measure for permanent
construction Is passed than authorize
these railways to put up and operate an
overhead trolley There Is entirely too
much fuss being made over these two
blocks that the people who use the Union
station are compelled to walk in order to
get to the cars and from the cars to the
station. Authorization for the temporary
and permanent work should be put
through in the same measure"
Representative James of Kentucky in
dorsed this view. He thought the time
gained by passing the temporary trackage
bill would be too infnitesimal to COM
pensate for the overhead trolley and for
the danger of delay In the permanent
work.
Representative Underwood Of Alabama
butted into the game at this juncture
with the remark that he was afraid If the
temporary trackage bill was passed that
the railways Of Washington could not be
induced to accept a universal transfer
proposition on the permanent construction
bill, even to permit them to reach the
Union station.
"Pass this BILL" cried Representative
Hull of Iowa, Jumping to his feet and in
terrupting Mr.. Underwood, land the local
traction companies will use those tenn
porary and makeshift tracks for the next
100 years"
MI. Cooper's Statement.
Representative Cooper of Wisconsin
hoped up at this Juncture to remark
that. after deep and profound study OF
the situation, he had discovered that, al
though the railways would be compelled
to place their temporary tracks under the
direction Of the District Commissioners.
there was nothing to prevent them from
putting their permanent tracks wherever
they pleased. on any street in the vicinity
of the union station that they chose to
select and that happened to suit their
fancy 1t took Mr.. Sims ten minutes TO
demonstrate to Mr.. Cooper that he mad
his information mixed.
ways couldn't lay a rail anywhere except
by the direct authorization and permis-
sion of Congress, and that consequently
there was no danger of any streets being
fvp< lbs vuy{t hot ttNsa
national legislature knowing all about 1t.
Mr. Cooper accepted this statement and
sat down In something OF daze, to
scratch his head some more.
"Just pass this bill. II you dare. cried
Charlie Lands OF Indiana, following Mr..
Cooper into the fray, land you won't live
long enough to see this permanent con-
struction completed by the local railway
companies"
Uncle Pete Hepburn of Iowa. friend OF
the people and protestor-in-chief on any,
thing concerning local street railway con-
ditions. asked Mr. Sims II there was any
thing in the permanent bill. now Under
consideration by the House District COM
mittee. to compel the railroad companies
Mr.. Sims replied that the measure wasn't
completed by long shot, and that he
couldn't tell what would be on 1t when
II was reported to the House. So many
members were rising every minute to
heat Mr.. Sims over his devoted head
with hot arguments that Chairman Smith
Of the committee took hand.
Neces sity for Temporary Trackage.
The chairman defended the good faith
Of the committee, and the absolute neces-
sity for the temporary trackage bill.
why" he cried, 1T may be months be-
fore the House District committee agrees
upon a measure authorixing permanent
construction around the Union station.
and unless you pass this bill the public,
during all that time. will be compelled to
walk through the rain and snow and mud
and s.ush."
J Renresentative Lands OF Indiana inter-
ira ckage bill first and temporary track
age bill second, or he would be willing to
have them both put through on the same
bill
But" he cried, sarca stically. after this
temporary bill Is passed the House Dis
| trict committee. having completed it's la
bors can 60 fishing"
Chairman Smith resented this reflection
upon the good faith Of the committee. and
demanded to know II Mr.. Lands intended
| to insinuate that the committee. after Sc
curing passage Of the temporary trackage
bill. would then refuse to re2ort a bill
authorizing permanent construction.
''Oh. no. said Mr.. I.andis in reply.
they will report permanent bill-in
time in time"
Ollie James of Kentucky criticised the
temporary measure for not providing
tins. limit within which the overhead
trol,eys must be removed. He pointed
out that 1t merely provided that the
trolley should be taken away thirty days
after the completion of the permanent
said that II fixed no calendar date.
Chairman Smith announced himself, for