Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-10
DISTRICT INTERESTS.
Attracting Attention at the Capitol To.
day.

Attracting Attention at the Capitol To.
day.
TIE hfsoLUIIoN TO INVESTIGATE THE PURCHASES
OF LAND FOB THE DIsTRIcT-rHE DISTRICT AP-
PsoPRIArIoN BILL AND THE CITY PosT-ofFIcK
SITE BILL.
Bills from the District committee were not
taken up in the House to-day, as none the
committee desired to press at this time were
on the calendar. The District, however, got
the day, for the District appropriation bill was
taken up for action. District matters were at
tracing attention outside the hall Of the House
as well.
TIE RESOLUTION TO INVESTIGATE THE DISTRICT
COMMISSIONERS.
meeting OF the committee on rules was
called to consider Mr.. Taulbee's resolution for
an investigation of the action Of the Commits
sioners in relation to the purchase of sites for
the new school buildings. The speaker and
Mr.. Randall were the only members present,
action could be taken. They talked
the matter over at some length, and
without concluding exactly that an
investigation should not be ordered, they
Commissioners had acknowledged that they
made these purchases through agents or middle
men, to the profit Of middle men, Congress
needed no investigation to establish the fact,
but should at once authorize the law officers OF
the government
TO BRING SUIT TO RECOVER MONEYS nPRop-
ERLY PAID
in making these purchases. This was con-
clusion reached in merely an informal talk.
They expect to get quorum of the committee
together as soon as possible, and they may
decide that an investigation would be better
before taking the matter into the courts.
The committee having failed to act in the
matter, Mr.. Taulbee, when the House met,
asked for immediate consideration of a resolu-
ton providing for an investigation. 1t re-
quired unanimous consent to consider this at
once. and Mr.. Williams put in an objection.
REFERRED TO THE DISTRICT COMMITTEE.
Mr.. Brewer then asked that the resolution be
referred to the District committee. Mr.. Taul-
bee did not object to this reference, and it was
made.
Mr.. Taulbee is determined that there shall
be an investigation if possible, and that the
taken accordingly. His attitude is upon the
ground that If the action of the Commissioners
was proper in making the purchases Congress
has no business to try to recover any Of the
money; if their action was improper there is
something more than money involved.
He says he was moved to the investigation
merely by desire that the truth should be
known, and that no person had suggested to
him the offering of the resolution. Since he
offered it many citizens Of the District had
come to him to thank him for the interest he
has shown in the welfare Of the District.
There appears to be disposition among
some members to avoid investigation, and it il
reported that the parties who have been bene-
fted by the favoritism Of the Commissioners
will be willing to refund the money to avoid
investigation.
The only idea Mr.. Carlisle and Mr.. Randall
had in the matter was to avoid the expense of
an investigation If the facts are already known
They have no disposition to shield the Com
missioners. The would merely proceed upon
the assumption that the facts are established
WASHINGTON CITY PosT-oFFIcE BILL
The District matter was up in the House
committee on public buildings; and, also, the
committee discussed the situation of the Wash
ington city post-office BILL and decided to
do their best to pass the bill during
this session. The Senate last session
passed bill for the purchase of the site on
part which the LIE Droit building stands. The
House committee favored different site, and
to the House bill to purchase square
49, on which the police head
quarters, Police Court. &C., now stand.
They hope TO pass that bill and get the matter
into conference, where some agreement may
be reached before this Congress expires. 1t is
thought that the interest taken in the matter
by the President in his last message will assist
in the passage Of the bill.
The committees report says: ''Thelneed of
suitable accommodations for the post-office at
the city of Washington has been long realized,
and needs no argument. The present quarters
are too small for the amount of business to be
DONE and possess none OF the facilities which
are provided in places of much less importance.
The committee has held session after session
devoted to the selection of suitable site for
post-office building, and has canvassed carefully
the merits and disadvantages suggested in con-
nection with each site proposed. and after such
full and careful consideration is of the opinion
that the site proposed in the bill referred to
the committee is a suitable one for the erection
of city post-office building. Square 489 is
situated west Of Judiciary square, and is
bounded on the south by d street, on the west
by 9Th street. on the north by Z
street, and on the east by 5th street. On the
south tits practically open to Louisiana ave-
nue., nothing but a small triangular plat Of
ground belonging to the government inter-
vening between d street and Louisiana avenue
in its front; and being elevated and facing
open areas on the south and east, it is a favora-
bic one for the health and comfort of
the employees of the government who
will occupy such building as may
the city, fact worthy Of consideration in con-
nection with the carrier system, and is conven-
iently located with reference to the two rail-
road depots, where mails are received and
dispatched. This square embraces an area of
more than 76 900 square feet, OF which
the government now owns 6,312 square feet
and occupies another portion also, paying rent
for the same. The bill referred to proposes
that the site be devoted to a city post-office
and District building; but the committee has
thought proper to recommend that the site be
acquired for city post-office, leav-
ing the specification of other government
uses for consideration when the site shall
have been acquired. and when provision for
the erection of building thereon shall be
made. It is q site which, in addition to ample
postal facilities, is capable Of being utilized to
furnish accommodations for the District gov
eminent, or for many Of the bureaus and
divisions of the various execu-
tive departments scattered now in
rented quarters throughout the city.
The limit of cost has been fixed, after inquiry.
at the sum of S430, 900, which, in the opinion
Of the committee, is a sum amply sufficient for
the purpose. The committee therefore sub
NIT the accompanying bill, as a substitute for
H. R. l0324. and recommend the passage Of the
said substitute.
BUILDING FOR THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
Senator Plat to-day introduced a bill to pro-
vide for the erection Of a building in this city
for the use Of the United States geological sur