Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-02-10

The Star Route Trial.
AN IMPORTANT POINT IN THE TRIAL NOW REACHED.
After THE STARS report OF the star route trial
| closed yesterday Mr. j. B. Adams, who was
county clerk at Rawlins, Wyoming Territory, tes-
titled to having lost letter sent by Rerdell to
Eugene Taylor respecting the Rawlins and White
River route, and to Rerdells operations In getting
up petitions.
James g. Runkin, resident Of Rawlins, testi-
fed to conversations with Rerdell respecting the
route, In which Rerdell declared that the con-
tractors could get increased service anyhow, out
he wanted petitions to base the orders upon. The
witness said that Rerdell s'mentiOned Dorsey, the
man in the Senate, and Brady, the Assistant Post
master General"
Objection was made to anything Rerdell said
"The question" said judge wylie, ''now is
whether the case has arrived at that stage"
Pending the determination Of that question the
court adjourned till Monday.
The question referred to by Judge Wylle is
whether such proof OF conspiracy has been
given as to admit testimony concerning the state
ments of a defendant affecting others than him.
had to be- before the a. testimony Of
Messrs. MacVeagh and James respecting the con-
fession Of Rerdell could be received. The counsel
for the prosecution expect decision favorable to
their side Monday. 1t is then expected that Mr..
MacVeagh will be put upon the stand, as that gen.
tleman has business which renders it inconve,
only one more route 10 be taken up in addition to
the Rawlins and White River route the consider
"SAoA Va WbiCH 10 HoW peHuiilS
THE EYEsIGHT OF EX-SENATOR DORSEY,
who, his counsel confidently predicted, would be-
come totally blind II the star route to be
tried this term, is so much improved that he now
goes out Of the house. Some OF his friends express
fears that by coming out so early he is running
the risk OF serious relapse.
Congress and the Gas Question.
To the Editor of THE EVENING STAR:
1t Is but charitable to suppose that our District
committee In agreeing to report favorably the bill
to charter the United States Gas and Fuel COM
subject under consideration, and were not IN
fuenced by any unworthy motives The men,
bers Of the committee seem to have lost sight of
the important fact that Congress has reserved the
right to control in every particular tho whole SUBJ
lect OF gas illumination, and that it is within
their power not only by officers constituted by
government authority, TO regulate the standard OF
the light, but to fix the rate at which gas shall be
Sold The act Of June g. 1874, fixes the price OF
ton made in the price OF coal corresponding re-
duction shall be made in the price of gas, and
makes it the duty Of the Secretary the Interior
Is strictly enforced. The act named fixes
me @ for tt the light at IS candle
manifest duty of the committee? Simply to inquire
FIRST is 16 Candle power too low standard; and If
SO, raise 1T. Second, is the price charged too high?
If so, put it down. And right here justice COM
pels the remark that no where on the Atlantic
coast is gas of the same quality sold as low as in
THIS city. few streets OF ne1ghborlng city,
Baltimore, afford exception; but the rest OF the
city Is supplied at Is cents higher than the citi-
zens of Washington pay. Wesay the manifest duty
OF the committee to ascertain Ii change In the
standard or In the price was required, and If so
act according. under the law provided by Con-
gress. But Ignoring their own prerogatives,
most radical remedy IS recommended. One which
II allowed to be enacted into law will work In
celGula6le injury to the beauty and to the health
OF TINS fair city, the pride of a continent. That
WnaC we nave TO say as to the marrtng
OF our beautiful streets and avenues may be the
better appreciated and the almost sacitlagious
Darbarity proposed to be inflicted on our commu-
nlty SET ior;h IN more glaring coloTs, 1t IS only
needful to refer TO the eminently wise action OF
the late board OF public works, which, though
entailing most burdensome expense upon the
present gas company, was thought justiflable. We
refer to the order OF the board which required
thar, TO avoid the necessity for removing the
pavement for the supply of gas to houses which
might thereafter be constructed On vacant lots,
service pipes should be puo down at the expense
or the company at suitable intervals How does
this wisely conservative action contrast with the
almost barbarOuS recommendation Of the commit
tee, that our beautiful and permanent pdvements
be ruthlessly torn up and scanned and SCARED
tfhrouslout every every street and avenue of our
this difficulty. That the pipes are to be put down
stored to their pristine magnifcence. Yes; when
virtue lost can be restored when decrepid age can
De re1uVenated,. will we believe that anything SO
consider the effect OF this wholesale uniurning of
fresh earth upon the health OF our citizens, espe-
claly II the kdwell bottoms are simultaneously
disturbed But we hope better things from the
wisdom of the House, and doubt not the bill VIII
be sat down upOn hard that 1t and its projectors
Will be heard Of no more. And what fOrsoOth. IS
for thus wrecking our property. our comfort, Tor
many months, and perhaps the lives OF thousands,
what! that the price of gas may be reduced 25
cents per thousand. For this is all the reduction
contemplated. H.