Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-13
The Water Supply Bill Passed.

After our report of the proceedings in the House
OF Representatives on the bill to increase the
water supply Of the District closed yesterday, Mr.
Reagan opposed its passage before steps had been
taken to ascertain what the property Which it was
and proceeded to argue In favor OF an amendment
making the people OF the District chargeable with
one.half OF the expense of the work. Mr.: Blount
criticised the bill, on the ground that it imposed
all the expense or improvement on the general
government Instead Of the people OF the district
becoming liable for One-half OF it. Mr.. Speer ad-
vocated the passage OF the bill, and referred to the
fact that children were sickening in the public
schools OF Washington FOR want OF sufficient water
supply. Mr. Holman opposed the bill Mr.. Towns
hend portrayed the necessity OF the District for
a more adequate supply OF water for sanitary pur-
poses, and defended the provisions OF the pending
bill Mr.. Garrison confined his remarks to an ad-
vOcacy OF an amendment which he offered, apprO-
priating $4,000 for the erection of fishways at the
structed by the bill After brief speech in favor
OF the bill by Mr. HOge, the previous question was
ordered on the bill and amendments, including
of the improvements shall be paid for by the Dis
trict OF Columbia, and authorizing the District
Commissioners to issue 3-65 bonds to such an
amount may be required In the execution of that
improvement.
THE DEBATE TO-DAY.
The water supply bill was called up in the House
at II 80 O'Clock to-day
Mr.. Cassidy, OF Nevada, opposed the Reagan
amendment, requiring the District to pay one-half
of the expense OF the improvement. He thought
the title to the improvement should be vested in
the United States and not be shared with the Dis
trict Of Columbia. The proper thing to do was for
the government to continue to be the sole pro-
Mr. Randall said that while the title to the water
works was vested in the United States, the rev.
necessity for more water On Capitol Hill the
necessity for water was sadly felt He thought,
however, the District ought to pay one-half. II
States to each pay half OF the District expenses,
and he did not favor departing from it. The equity
and law was on the Side OF the Reagan amend
ment.
Mr. Page, of California, asked Mr.. Randall, even
II the Reagan amendment was not adopted, If the
pay one-half OF the cost of the Improvement.
water supply would be for the benefit solely OF the
people OF the District, and it was right and equi-
table that they should pay for half OF it Congress-
he said, had paid one-half OF the interest on the
had saddled on the District and for future Ell I'M n
provements of all kinds the District should be
compelled to % pay y It's half To ask the United
neither equity justice, and was positive in1us-
ttce to the constituents OF other communities. II
the amendment to compel the District to pay one
half did not prevail. he would vote against the
BILL
Mr. Buckner said the pending bill proposed the
the United States He thought 1t was too much Of
Mr.. Blount was surprised even that the govern
ought to pay it all
Mr.. Urner closed the debate on the bill He said
he was surprised at some Of the opposition to it.
It ought not to be forgotten that the mains, reser-
vOirs, &C., all belonged to the United States, and
the District had no interest whatever in them.
He quoted law OF 1850 and 1853 directing whole
some supply of water to be brought into the Dis
trict under the direction of the President He re-
minded the crOakers who fought the bill that, OF
be erected all over the country, notOne OF them
had suggested that the people living In the cities
one-haif the expense. The United States always
should have the title to the water works It was
so intended in 1859 when the present work was
completed, but it was not then thoaght that the
city would grow as It has Mr.. UrnRr read the
report OF the water committee OF the Citizens
Committee OF One Hundred.
Mr.. Urner then explained how the revenues Of
the District were applied, and In whose custody
they were held, and the method Of drawing money