Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-01-09
District Government Affairs.
THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR BILL

The District Commissioners have notified the
counsel (among whom are Judge Cole, OF Iowa;
Reginald Fendall V. B. Edwards, Z. B. Hay and
Robert Chrsty), for the contractors who are bene-
flciares under House bill No 74s9, that they Will
hear them in support OF the bill tomorrow, Satur-
day.
One of the Commissioners to-day said to a STAR
Commissioners that it would be right and proper
that this bill should pass Congress and become
law. 1t does not strike the Commissioners that
gressed far as 1t did last session OF Congress
throws cloud over It. Bills or resolutions which
concern D. tne Dlstfict OF Columbia no matter how
been invariably sent down to The Commissioners
for examination and report; but here is bill par
edness to the District Of 600 OOO which was
sought to be dragoOned through without any refer
ence to the District Commissioners. Maybe these
gentlemen Will be able to convince us OF the pro-
priety Of such methods, but it Is doubtful How
ever, 1t Is right that all sides should be heard"
WHY THERE ARE LARGE ARREARAGEs OF TAXES
The chief reason for the large amount of arrear-
ages of taxes in this District Is believed to be the
fact that tax titles so worthless that scarcely
any One unless interested In the property will bid
at the sales. The trouble is that the courts here
require the holder OF tax deed to prove the
legality OF every step taken by every official In
latlOn to taxes and sales.
ANOTHER COMPLAINT ABOUT THE B. AND P. RAILROAD.
Mr.. j. w. Fowler. residing at Benn1ngs, makes in
quiry Of the Commissioners by what authority the
baltimore and Potomac railroad has to obstruct the
pubic highway by throwing up an embankment
In the road, taking more than half OF the width Of
the public road just beyond Bennings.' 'There is
no private individual" he states, "WhO would be
allowed such privilege, and can't understand
why corporation should be allowed to encroach
upon the rights OF the people" He asks an investt-
cation.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Mr.. II. B. BestOr, In note to the Commissioners
calls attention to the condition OF the bridge on the
driving park road, near Bennlng's station.
Mr. w. A. Donaldson ct al ask the removal OF
certain trees on X street, between 33d and 34th
streets northwest
Mr. A. NJ. Renshaw, general manager of the
united states electric lighting company, asks per-
mission TO run underground cables on 9Th from
street TO pennsylvania avenue for electric light
Ing purposes
To-day Mr.. H. R. Miles, OF the police telegraph.
placed on the telephone line the Lister telegraph
trumpet Tor trial, and it was found to work SO
wen that the lowest whisper could be distinctly
heard.
CoNTESTING WIIL.-The heirs OF Samuel Ready.
citlzen or Baltimore who In 1872 left property
valued at over half million to trustees for the
purpose OF erecting female orphan asylum. have
OrOugnb SUIT 10 declare the will void, on the ground
that the trustees are preparing to erect the building
on different site from that specified in the will
DlsPUTING PROF. BELLS CoNCLUsIoEs.-Dr Ma
GneSon. superintendent OF the deaf and dumb In
stltute at Belevtle, Ont, writes, In answer TO
ProL Beil's paper upon the formation Of the deaf
is concerned Prot Bell is very much astray. In
Cne lnStltutlon under my charge there are the his
torres or 66l mute children have been unable TO
nnd that any OF the parents were or are dear or
anmn a few OF their grandparents, however,
oumD persons In the province are tntermarried and
nave children, and In every case that has come 10
my knowledge the children can hear and speak,