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Editorial
June 23, 1890
The Daily Critic
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
Editorial advocates for careful Senate handling of the Atkinson bill on Pennsylvania Railroad facilities in Washington, urging Congress to prioritize the city's interests over the railroad's demands to balance business efficiency with public welfare.
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RAILROAD FACILITIES
Whatever fate the Atkinson bill may encounter in the House there is reason to believe that when it gets into the Senate it will be handled with intelligence and wisdom. We hear a great deal from the newspaper advocates of the bill about 'giving to the Pennsylvania Railroad to Washington only what all other cities give to railroads, etc., etc.,' but it is a notorious fact that every city which has hastened to accept a railroad company's estimate of what is necessary for that city's welfare has been repenting its haste in sackcloth and ashes ever since. In matters of this kind, the communities themselves are much better judges of what their interests require, and, since in this case the city has no direct means of enforcing its views, Congress should be peculiarly careful to ascertain those views and to consult them conscientiously.
It is the most transparent nonsense to represent Washington as being stupidly blind to its own welfare in this matter of terminal facilities for the Pennsylvania road, and as being inspired by petty and vicious motives in resisting the dictation of the railroad and its advocates. The members of the Senate District Committee have lived here too long and are too well acquainted with our people to accept so disparaging an estimate of their motives. What Washington wants is that the railroad shall receive all the concessions it requires for the most effective transaction of its business, but that these concessions shall be made in such a manner as to conserve the public interest at the same time.
Our citizens hope and believe that Congress will, in the end, see to the realization of this consummation.
Whatever fate the Atkinson bill may encounter in the House there is reason to believe that when it gets into the Senate it will be handled with intelligence and wisdom. We hear a great deal from the newspaper advocates of the bill about 'giving to the Pennsylvania Railroad to Washington only what all other cities give to railroads, etc., etc.,' but it is a notorious fact that every city which has hastened to accept a railroad company's estimate of what is necessary for that city's welfare has been repenting its haste in sackcloth and ashes ever since. In matters of this kind, the communities themselves are much better judges of what their interests require, and, since in this case the city has no direct means of enforcing its views, Congress should be peculiarly careful to ascertain those views and to consult them conscientiously.
It is the most transparent nonsense to represent Washington as being stupidly blind to its own welfare in this matter of terminal facilities for the Pennsylvania road, and as being inspired by petty and vicious motives in resisting the dictation of the railroad and its advocates. The members of the Senate District Committee have lived here too long and are too well acquainted with our people to accept so disparaging an estimate of their motives. What Washington wants is that the railroad shall receive all the concessions it requires for the most effective transaction of its business, but that these concessions shall be made in such a manner as to conserve the public interest at the same time.
Our citizens hope and believe that Congress will, in the end, see to the realization of this consummation.
What sub-type of article is it?
Infrastructure
What keywords are associated?
Railroad Facilities
Atkinson Bill
Pennsylvania Railroad
Washington Interests
Congressional Oversight
What entities or persons were involved?
Atkinson Bill
Pennsylvania Railroad
Washington
Senate District Committee
Congress
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Handling Of Atkinson Bill For Pennsylvania Railroad Facilities In Washington
Stance / Tone
Advocacy For Protecting Washington's Public Interests Against Railroad Demands
Key Figures
Atkinson Bill
Pennsylvania Railroad
Washington
Senate District Committee
Congress
Key Arguments
Senate Should Handle The Bill With Intelligence And Wisdom
Cities That Hastily Accept Railroad Estimates Later Regret It
Communities Best Judge Their Own Interests; Congress Must Consult Washington's Views
Washington Not Blind To Welfare But Seeks Balanced Concessions
Railroad Should Get Necessary Concessions While Conserving Public Interest