Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-06-14
A Talk with Representative Neal
Upon District Affairs.
his VIEWS UPON DISTRICT OFFICERS AND DIS
TRICT INTERESTS,


TRICT INTERESTS.
Representative Neal, Of Ohio, who. as mem.
Der OF the House District committee, has ac-
quired pretty extensive acquaintance With
District affairs, is III Washington. A STAR re-
porter had talk with him this morning to the
following eject
81 drove out last night with Mr.. John W
Thompson. :" said mt: Neal, ..and he Impressed
Improvement OF the City. / think II Mr..
Thompson was one of the District Commls
sioners he would finish the work OF District
views, is capable business man, and would
make splendid executive officer"
TIE STAR representative to whom Mr.. Neal
was talking remarked that an objection urge1
against Mr.. Thompson was delinquency Sin
the payment OF taxes on account Of the street
railroad: Of which he was president.
.,,at YES a, said Mr. Neal ~ know something OF
1t is matter OF controversy as to amount, and
is being liqnidated. Now 1 do not know that
Mr.. Thompson would accept the trust. but II
officer; and | have in my minds eye another
good man. 1t is MIR. Henry Willard, 1 once
told President Hayes Mr.. Willard would make
a good Commissioner. I know, though, that
"As to BOWen?" quoth THE STAR.
Bowen" said he, 'should not be appointed.
Bowen may be an honest man, and all that.
One the simple score Of honesty there is no
necessity for change. What the District
wants Is clear.headed business man. Bowen.
as / understand it, has behind him bad lot.
told the President did not think it would be
wise to appoint Bowen"
at this point Mr.. Neal became himself the
interviewer. Said he: "What do you know of
Rice. OF Maine. Both OF these gentlemen are
applicants. don't know much about either of
them," nor did the STAR man.
ABOUT THE FREE BRIDGE.
Turning to the question of free bridge The
STAR asked Mr.. Neal as to the hitch. He said:
II met General Hunton last night. You know
Hunton was the labortng man In the House OF
Representatives to get the bill through. He
tells me that while the lessees of the present
bridge are willing TO surrender their rights the
idea that In time railroad company Will want
to use their piers, and 1t Will be more profitable
to deal with such corporation than reltnqutsh
to the government their rights. Let me tell
you something which to me Is exceedingly
funny. You know the three rocks In the river
above the bridge called the Three Sisters. Well,
some one has claimed ownership aud title TO
these rocks and in case the bridge is to go up
there. wants to be paid for the rocks. l told
the secretary Of War If the bridge was to 60
above. the present bridge that were in his
place would have the Three Sisters con-
demned and end the matter.
AS TO FUTURE LEGISLATION FOR THE DISTRICT
Mr.. Neal said: 81 suppose in the next Congress
will be on the District committee. II am,
intend on the very first day of the session to
Introduce bill for the improvement OF the
river flats. and get it early on the calendar.
Not walt until the last minute and have It
smothered then. The great trouble foresee is
to get proper bill drawn. You see engineers
disagree as to plans. When doctors thus disa-
gree 1t makes 1t difficult for the layman to get
the proper light. l think 1 Will have talk
with Major Twining. He Is a clear headed
officer. and think good engineer. will get
his views and draft a bill In accordance with
IN mt n fo3
pal code revision" and push 1t.
Going back to the COmmissionershtp Ques-
ton again, Mr.. Neal said: "Come to think OF
II. believe Thomas j. Durant would make
good commissioner"