Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-04
DISTRICT GOVERNMENT.
THE wATER-MErER QUESTION.


The District Commissioners have written a
letter to the Senate District committee protest
ing against the passage of the bill providing
for the exemption of hotels from the use Of
water meters. The bill, they say, involves
class legislation of the most Objectionable kind
and, if enacted into law. its effect on the water
service will be vicious in che extreme. Hotels
are the most wasteful of water Of any of the
establishments embraced in the existing law.
II the existing law, instead of being repealed"
the Commissioners write, lis carried into effect
according to the present intent of the Commits
sloners, the water division hopes 10 see some
Improvement IN the pressure in those localities
now worst off for water. IT, in addition. Con-
Gress viii take some steps to prevent the idle
waste by the general government, then the
public inconvenience can be greatly lessened
pending the intro duction of a new supply"
NO ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY NEED APPLY.
The District Commissioners have refused
permission to the Washington and Virginia
conduit company to put conduits under the
streets of this city for the purpose of lighting
the city with electricity. The Commissioners
say that they cannot grant the request. as the
policy of the District government is opposed to
tearing up the streets unnecessarily, and. more
over, the appropriation act of last season prac-
tlcally prohibits the Commissioners from ne
gotlating with any other company for light
than that now furnishing them. Capt. Symons
suggests that there should be a conduit sufli-
clent in capacity to inclose all the wires for
electric lighting that would ever be required
by this or any other company which might be
organized in the future, which should be so
built as to allow the free introduction of cables
from manholes
THE PROPOSED DISTRICT WHARF.
The District Commissioners have written
their views to the Senate District committee
respecting the bill to establish city wharf
They quote Capt. Symons on the subject as fol-
lows: IF there is one thing more than another
demanded in connection with the city govern
ment it is the establishment of suitable city
wharf-a wharf where all fish. oysters, and
produce coming into the city by way of the
Potomac should be received and passed through
the hands of the inspectors. The wharf at
present designated a fish wharf the privi-
lege for the use of which is sold annually to
the highest bidder, is a disgrace to the city.
The oyster wharf is little better. would urge
upon the Commissioners that Congress be
asked to designate piece of property belong
ing to the District of Columbia or the United
States at some point between the arsenal and
the Long bridge and facing on the river. where
a suitable wharf can be built. For an eXpendi-
ture of $4,000 or S300 900 a revenue of from
$4,000 to $1,000 annually might be obtained
for wharfage"
THE MASSACHUSETTS, AVENUE FRIDGE.
The District Commissioners to-day addressed
letter to Senator Ingalls, respecting the bill
now pending apprOpriating $4,000 to build a
bridge across Rock creek at the foot of Massa-
chusetts avenue. The Commissioners say that
1.-THE Commissioners consider the construction
of a bridge across Rock creek at the foot of
Massachusetts, avenue extended as provided for
in this bill to be in the highest degree desirable
1t will complete a highway which will be very
much needed, especially as Congress has author
lied the construction of railways on the Tenley-
town and WOodley Lane roads, No reason
Is known to the Commissioners why the work
should be done under the direction and author
ity of the Secretary of War. The bridge will
form part of a highway under charge of the
Commissioners. and will be paid for largely
from District funds, and it seems desirable that
1t should be constructed under the direction Of
the Commissioners, like the WoOdley lane and
other bridges. An amended bill is herewith
submitted. and the Commissioners respectfully
recommend its passage" The amended bill is
substantially like the pending one, except that
1t puts the construction of the bridge under
charge of the Commissioners.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The District Commissioners to-day decided
to refuse Mr.. Mum permission to Law granite
blocks in his carriage drive crossing the side
walk in front of his house on Thomas circle