The Washington herald., 1908-03-13
AGREEMENT In SIGHT
Conference OH Union Station
Track Bills Begun.
SOMEBODY SPOIIS PROGRAMME
Expected Mortal Combat Fails to
MateriaIize, and Laughter ReiEns
for the Following Week, May See
Opposing Views RecOnciled.

At last the Senate and House conferees
on the Union Station traekage bill have
got together in an effort to agree on a
compromise between the views which
those two bodies entertain on the street
railway question.
The somewhat pessimistic opinion
which obtained among the cOnferees gave
way 10 more roseate outlook FOR the
tracks after a conference yesterday after
noon. which consumed about two hours
1t Was said after the conference had
been concluded that an agreement may be
reached next week.
The meeting began at 3 p. m. The
representatives Of the tws Houses were
all present. They included Senators Gal
linger, Long, and Martin for the upper
body, and Representatives Smith, of
Michigan; Campbell, of Kansas. and
Sims, Of Tennessee, for the lower.
If statements more or less publicly
made by some of them in the past few
weeks are remembered, they went into
the conference determined to fight it out
to finish.
The Senate members. in line with the
view taken in the Senate when the track
age bill prepared by Senator Gallingers
committee was passed. were opposed. to
universal transfers. and also 20 giving
the Commissioners OF the District power
10 control the schedules and physical
condition of the companies cars. They
also had fixed views as to which routes
should be taken by the proposed new
lines
The House members. in accordance with
the action of the House. were for both
universal transfers and supervision by
the Commissioners. They had another set
OF routes. 10 which they purposed tena-
ciously to adhere. Mr.. Judge Sims was
IN particularly strong on the universal
transfers matter. he having been the chief
champion OF that measure in the House
They met and shook hands. as the
prize fighters do when they enter the
ring Then the doors were closed. and
Messenger Gordon. Of the Senate District
Committee, took his seat as Cerberus,
outside the door, prepared to guard the
approach against all COmeTs. IL was to
be night TO a finish. Mr.. GOrdon's face,
when he sat down. wore a grim look,
expected combat.
Programme Goes Awry.
He wore that look for about ten min
utes. during which the six conferees
were doubtless sparring for an opening.
Then there came a single loud guffaw
from the interior Of the room, and it was
followed by a chorus Of chOrtles, which
surged over the door and through the
open transom. Mr.. Gordon sat straighter
in his chair. and puzzled look displaced
the stern one which he had worn. This
was not on the programme!
When the half hour struck the meeting.
judging from the frequent laughter with
in the rooms, had become a love feast.
The lee Of pugnacity had given way
under the warm rays of SOMEBODY'S Wit,
apparently, and rancor had been borne
away upon the wings Of mirth. The
Cerberus at the door wore a doubtful
mien for another half hour. but the good
nature OF the conferees evidently con-
tinued. for the confused humble within
the conference room was. frequently inter
spersed with bursts Of laughter 4 scribe
who bovered in the corridor even declares
that he heard the heavy chuckle Of the
gentleman from Tennessee once or twice.
And finally, with a sigh Of relief, Mr..
Gordon permitted his lips to curve into
a smile
After-effects Surprising.
About o'clock the door was opened.
and Senator Martin. with a tranquil look
on his patrician features. stroHed out.
as happy as If he had been leaving
pink tea party Next came Mr.. Long.
his face by no means matching his name.
And then out stalked Judge Sims. He
looked thoughtful. as il ne were wonder
ing how it happened Mr. Campbell, who
followed, wore his usual imperturbabe
aspect Of good nature. and after him
stepped briskly Mr.. Smith. wreathed In
smiles. The last man 10 come out was
Mr. Miller. clerk 10 the House District
Committee. and he was the only man
who did not look pleased. But he never
does; so nobody thought his frown
bad omen.
When the watchers on the threshold
entered the room Senator ,GalHnger.
chairman OF the conference. looked as
If he had had the time Of his life. and
Secretary Walker was smiling up to his
eyes
VIII Meet Next Week.
There will be no more meetings this
week. owing to the pressing engagements
Of the conferees in other directions
But next week. so It's said. they win
come together again, and II is confidently
expected that an agreement will be
reached before the meeting ends
No details of yesterdays conference
were made public. II was said, however
that while 10 definite action had been
taken on any Of the points at issue, a
good basis for an agreement had been
found. and everything looked rosy-and
mirthful.