Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-01-05
The District in Congress.

The senate District committee held short
meeting to-day, but only passed upon one
bill-for the relief OF the heirs of Edward Clark
OF the District, from accumulated back taxes
and 1t was reported to the Senate.
THREE DISTRICT BILLS.
Senator Whyte to-day made an effort to get
up for consideration in the Senate the three
bills ION the calendar) to amend the act incor-
porating the Capitol, North o Street and South
washington Railway company; 70 amend the
act giving approval TO and sanction OF Congress
to the route and termini OF the AnacoStia and
Potomac River railroad. land the bill to amend
the charter of the Metropolitan Railroad com.
paDy OF the District. Senator voorhees, antag-
Senator Whyte said that If these railroad
bills involving convenfenceS of transportation
to citizens or the District were not passed
speedily speed there there =. would be no hope OF getting
Harris wanted to defer the Holiday bill until
Senator Cockrell. chairman OF the committee
on claims, shall return. Senator Conkling
one way or the other. During the debate
point OF order was raised and before 1t was
settled the morning hour expired, throwing the
whole matter over.
DISTRACTIONS IN THE STREETS.
The District Commissioners have addressed
letter to General Hunton, touching resolution
adopted by the District committee respecting
the occupation of the Streets reservations, &C.,
OF the city. The Commissioners TO day returned
report showing all occupations for private
purposes OF the Streets avenues and parkingS
OF OF the CITY Ior temporary purposes merely.
They state that The present Commissioners
have granted no permits except for public pur-
pOSeS and In all Cases when complaint has
been made have caused the obstruclions com
planned OF to be removed; that when no CON-
plant has been made by private parties and no
injury accrued to the public, no action has been
taken up to the present time except by general
order. In reply as TO what authority has
Ck1fl nd hi e..
grounds Of the District, the Commissioners re-
ply that 1.-The Commissioners of the Dis
trlct OF Columbia have entire control OF
me me o1T streets ,,,a0t avenues and alleys Of
existing laws. This contract was conferred
upon the board OF public works by the act OF
February 21st, 1871; has vested In their success
sors the commissioners OF the District OF
Columbia by the act OF June Goth, 1874 and la
the present Board OF Commissioners by the act
Of June 11th, 1915. The public grounds are
S. Army. (sec. 1891 Revised Statutes). These
public grounds are held to consist or certain
reservations, numbered from l to 20 Of
various public squares and of such pOr-
avenues as are not necessary to travel. which
have been surrounded by curbS or fences, or
improved wholly or In part by the United
States. Intersections Bot so set apart are con-
stdered to be under the control OF the CommiS
S1oners." To the question, What particular
officer acts under such authority?" they state
1T, The 1s, Engineer commissioner % acts under the
orders into effect. To the question
avenues and public grounds are occupied
by persons for property uses, ana by what
authority they enclose a list OF such Occu-
pants, and say: ''The great majority occuey
without authority; some, however, under per
mits by the board OF pubic works or the late
board Of commissioners. No permits have
be en- granted by the present board. Before the
passage OF the resolutions by the committee
an order had been issued revOking all permits. >
To the question as to whom Is authority
vested to abate nuisances upon said grounds,
streets and avenues, and remove therefrOm ali
unauthorized structures and persons they re-
ply The health officer can by the process OF
law abate all declared nuisances. whether upon
public or private property, The Board OF Com
miss1oners may, and In certain cases have
summarlly removed unauthorized structures
from the parkings- In other cases where man
ifesI injury would result to individuals, they
have allowed the occupants reasonable time
to vacate." To the question as to what legisla-
ton Is necessary for the removal from the said
grounds, streets and avenues OF any nuisanceS
and Unauthorized structures, the Commission
eIs reply -" No further legislation is re-
Quired."