National Republican., 1880-12-08
FOR OUR OWN PEOPLE.
A CHAT ABOUT DISTRICT MATTERS.
What Senator Harris Has TO Say on Important Local
Topics-Why the Water Supply Problem May
Not Soon be sclved-The Personal
Tax Question.

CllHcns, representative OF 1HE kEPUBLlCAN
started out last night on search for Senator Har-
ris, chairman of the Senate District Committee,
with a view Of obtaining as much information as
possible as TO the prospects of the District with the
present Congress.
The Senator was found comfortably esconced in
his parlor, at No. 5l5 Eleventh street northwest,
and when the knight of the pencil entered he was
gradually working his way through the revised
code. Of the District, numbering between three
hundred and four hundred printed pages THE
REPuBIIcAN made known the object ofthe visit.
Senator Harris replied that II was rather early in
the session to. make any statement as to what
would or would not bc done. At the best, what he
might say would be merely his individual opinion,
as the other members of the committee might not
coincide with his views. The following brief con-
versation then took place:
THE REPUBLICAN,. Senator, what are the pros.
poets for an Improvement along the river front2
Everybody recognizes that fact, and It is universal
~ conceded that something must he done with
those marshes and flats hut 1t will cost a great
deal of money to reclaim them. What will be the
nature of the Improvement cannot now say; but
am satisfied that some steps will be taken at this
session Of Congress looking toward the remedying
Of this trouble and getting rid of this source of
disease
THE RErUnLicAS How about the water supply =?
Senator. think not this session. To mention
that subject in Congress reminds me somewhat of
the story of the rcd flag waived before the infir-
ated bull. Nothing can he proposed in relation TO
II but what II is sure to bring many Senators and
members on their feet There are so many differ.
ent views and ideas expressed each individual
having his own theory as to how the increase
should be made, that difficulty will be experienced
in harmonizng them. There Is no doubt Of the
necessity for an increase of the water supply andi
must he done In the near future. Even now
the Potomac River should be completely
damned, and that would increase the present
supply. In dry weather even now trouble Is ex-
pericnced in getting sufficient water TO the city
through its present source which would be relieved
S Sys T n gS4nE q d the dam an,T to I hG y
dam have to be finished, but another nqucduct be
required to bring the water from the receiving res
ervors, and distributing reservoir should be
plnced in the northern part of the city. With these
would bc required additional mains and connec-
tions, and then would be produced pressure that
sumers. | am satisfied that there is not city in
this country where thcrc Is us much water wasted
rs in this one; Chicago comes nearest, but that is
beaten. Neither do see how II Is to be checked.
can easily see how all the splggots in n house
might be run an entire night without detection,
and III one house can do so what Is to prevent
others? 1t will require fully 100000 to do what is
asked for in completing the dam across the river
and laying. the additional aqucduct, and II will
require about SGOO000 for the new reservoir and
connections. 1t will be impossible to do anything
with this subject at the present session. No one
recognizes the necessity for an increase of the
water supply in this city more than myself but the
gradually.
TmE REpunEcAS Senator do you think that
Congress will show libcrnliy in appropriations for
street improvements, sewers, and work of that
character?
Senator. Well, cannot say much about that
just ut this time. l have not read the recon-
mcndnions of the Commissioners in fact their re-
port did not reach me until to-day. But suppose
when the time comes for making the apprOpria.
tions for the fiscal year that the District will re.
ceivc her Just share Of attention. / have been so
busy since arrived here in looking into this Dis
trict code that have not given much attention to
anything else.
TmE REPUBLICAN. What do you think of the code
Senator | find 1t difficult thing to analyze
Some inconsistent "A
comprehend and harmoniZc them requires both
labor and patience Frequently am compelled to
go back over the statutes ana municipal ordinances
to find out what the terms of the old laws were be-
fore the codfcation in order to understand the
changes that have been made. Now, here (pointing
TO certain part of the book are forty pages on
building regulations. ] know nothing about that
myself, and presume no Senator docs. referred
that to Architect Clarke for the purpose of obtaining
his views upon them He tells me that they arc excel
lent and ample TO accomplish the purpose for which
they were prepared But the most vexatious portion
that encounter is that In relation TO tax titles
pecially as to the pesonaltg 1t is extremely DIFF
iicult TO get at an invisible, intangible taxable
property, and the effort will be accompanied by
many Objectionable features. In the first place Il
is exceedingly offensive to cothe official and his
subordlnates with an inquisiorial power; and sec
ondly, II Is humiliating TO the property holder to
have such persons forcing Themselves into thelr
houses and presence. Nor can II be said TINT such
power. will be productive Of the results antic
oM " e SSPS wSeSar heller Is BsGsa msEsa Ha
return or not. lie may say to himself, will not
give in NIL have, The District will be none the
wiser-thcy cannot find out any different, and
do not propose to pay this tax If can avoid it.
Now, | am unable to see, If they choose to swear
falsely, how they can be detected, Why, look
herc-twO years ago this city made a return OF
s2,O000O0 for personal tax; this year II Is down "a
a million. am satisfied that If The fact could be
from s5O,Ol0OOO to SlOO,0OOy0O0 in per.
sonal property subject TO just taxation.
| do not know but that report recently submitted
city will come nearest to accomplishing success in
Obtaining something like n reasonable tax, both
real and personal II Is proposed there mat after
levied shall be increased threefOld and that will
represent both the tax on real and personal prop
erty. However, l have not finished the subject
yet, and solution of the difficulty may yet arise
Seeing that the Senator had important business
to occupy his attention the representative of TIL
REPUBLICAN thanked him for the information re
ceived and withdrew