Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-10
HOUSE VOTES NAY
Permission for Grade Tracks
to Navy Yard Refused.
RAIL WAY'S PLEA REJECTED
Members Indulge in Criticism Of
Pennsylvania Company.
SUGGEST REMOVAL OF TRACKS
Opposition to the Bill Strong
Enough to Strike Out the
Enacting Clause.
Railways PLEA REJECTED
SUGGEST REMOVAL OF TRACKS

After long and at times acrimonious
discussion, the House yesterday refused
to pass the bill authorizing and requiring
the Philadelphia. Baltimore and Washing
ton Railroad Company to maintain and
operate a track connection with the
United States navy yard. The connection
Is authorized in the terms of the bill by
means OF a single track on X street and
Canal street southeast, "either as at pres
ent located or as the same may hereafter
be relocated, in whole or in part. with the
approval of the Commissioners" Repre-
sentative J. Hampton Moore of Pennsyl-
vania was in charge of the bill. The fight
against it was led by Representative
Sims Of Tennessee, who, as a former
member of the District committee, was
thoroughly familiar with the proposed
legislation in question
This BILL said Mr.. Moore. sis the out
come of the efforts of the citizens Of the
District, in conjunction with the various
railroad companies centering here, to dis
pense for all time with grade crossings in
the District. There were two bills. COM
monty known as the railroad bills. one
passed by Congress February II, 1901,
and the other February %. 1903. The con-
struction of the existing terminal was
the result of the passage Of these two
measures.
But One Exception.
"The agreements effected in these bills
have been carried, SO far as I am ad-
vised, with the single exception Of the re-
moval Of the grade crossings that lead
into the Washington navy yard. Since
the expiration of the time limit for the
removal of grade crossings Congress has
had before it in various forms measures
the purpose of which was to dispose of
these last remaining tracks. The time for
tearing up. tracks under the law ex-
pired April %, 1908, since which time
they have been maintained and operated
only under an Injunction granted by the
Supreme Court of the District, which was
issued at the instance of the Navy De-
partment, and which expires the 9th of
this month.
1.-The employment of at least 5000 men
in the navy yard in the District depends
upon our action on this bill today. l
think it is fair that the House should
give attention to a measure of such great
consequence"
Mr.. Sims demanded to know why the
railroad company had not complied with
the law of May u, 1905
Mr.. Moore explained that the act in
question provided that the railroad COM
pany, at the instance of the government,
should construct siding to connect with
te main line along the Anacostia river
outside of the navy yard.
1.-The question of expense as well as
that of jurisdiction at once arose." said
Mr.. Moore. land the railroad company
gave notice that it would not, as di-
rected by that act. construct the siding,
contending that that had been no part
of the agreement
Mr.. Sims wanted to know to whom the
railroad company gave that notice.
ITO the Navy Department" Mr.. Moore
replied. He then read a letter to Assist
ant Secretary of the Navy Newberry
from Charles E. Pugh, second vice presi-
dent Of the Philadelphia, Baltimore and
Washington Railroad Company.