Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-02-13
DISTRICT IN CONGRESS-.
Meeting of the House Commit ittee.

ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THE BILL TO CON-
sTRUCT A BRIDGE ACROSS ROCK CREEK AT WOOD
LEY LANE.
The District committee this morning, before the
meeting OF the House, heard arguments from W.
C. Dodge and r. T. Morsell against the bill TO con-
struct bridge across Rock Creek at the WOOdley
Lane road, and replies to them dn favor OF the
billy from Mr.. George Truesdell and Mr.. S. Taylor
Suit. Messrs. Dodge and Morsell opposed the bill
with the statements that the money was needed
for schools and sstreet improvements inside the
city, and that the old bridge on the site was 'good
enough"
Mr.. Truesdell made statements to show the I'M
portance OF the bridge a means OF comInuni-
cation between the city and the OUTLYING county,
and argued with figures as TO taxes and improve
menlS 10 show that the county mad right TO ask
for The Improvement upon the basis OF taxation
and also claimed that the building OF the bridge
would be benefit TO the whole District by IN
creasing the taxable value OF roperty In that sec
tlon. He said there was q surplus OF $221, ,628
taxes paid by the residents outside the city limits
out OF which the s:'5 900 for the bridge could come
Mr.. s. Taylor Suit said he had no interest of any
sort In the northwest all his interests We're east
but he was surprised at the narrow policy that
lead to an opposition to this improvement There
could be, he declared, no improvement made In
any part or tue District that was not benefit TO
every citizen OF the District and to the people OF
the whole Countrywide whole country was inter-
eSJed in this capital OF the nation. Mr.. MOrSell
mad informed the committee that he and Mr.
Dodge were not authorized to act in this matter by
x
man had made this statement He intended TO
move TO have struck from the records OF the Citi-
zenS' Committee the resolution in opposition to
the Improvement. If this was not done he would
get out OF the committee.
VIEWS OF REPRESENTATIVE BREWER.
Members OF the committee listened to the argu-
ments attentively and asked many questions, that
Indicated disposition favorable to all proper I'M
provements In the District. In answer to Mr
Dodge's objection that the money was needed for
the schools, Mr.. Brewer (of the cOmmittee) sug.
gested that they should have the schools necessary
and other necessary improvements well. He
said he thought the improvements added to the
city were In the interest OF the whole city. He
asked II Mr. Dodge doubted that the building up
and improvement OF sections outside the Boundary
was for the good OF the city. He said that Con-
gress had been ready for ten years to give Wash
1ngton needed public building, but they had not
got II because they could not agree upon site
for It,
Mr.. Dodge thought the citizens could agree
Besides Mr.. Brewer, Mr.. Rowell, Mr.. Hemphil,
MI Romeis, Mr.. Grant, and other members OF the
committee asked questions and made suggestions
indicating their liberal disposition toward The city,
The whole committee have made 1t their business
TO visit the old bridge and see for themselves what
Is needed
The arguments OF Messrs. Dodge and Morsell did
not cause them TO change their minds as to the IA
vOrable report already made on the bill.
Capt SymOns and Mr.. Lawrence sands were
present, but male no statements to the committee,
as II was deemed unnecessary