Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-28

in the District appropriation bill made by
the Senate. Mr.. Clements said the House would
be appropriating money which it did not pos
sess.
Mr.. Hemphill said because the Senate had
made great additions to the District appropria-
ton bill was no reason why the House should
agree to the changes.
Mr.. Atkinson attacked the claim made by
Mr.. Clements that the District was in a bad
way financially. He drew attention also to the
assessment of cost on adjoining property as
followed in Chicago and Boston.
MR.. BLUNT THINKS THERE Is NO NEED OF PARK.
Mr.. Blunt said there was no surplus in the
District treasury; that the present rate of ex-
penditures swallowed up everything. To carry
out the pending bill recourse must be had
to new issue of bonds or to
some other method of raising the money.
The United States had done enough
in the way of assuming the debts of the Dis
trict, and it should be stopped and this measure
be postponed. There was no occasion for such
park. This city was already plentifuly sup
Piled with parks without rushing pell-mell out
Of the city for additions.
Mr.. Kerr said the District debt was already
over $50, 900, 900, more than three and one-half
the debt in proportion to valuation than the
debtof Virginia, which it was thought necessary
to repudiate. Gentlemen had said" con-
tinued Mr.. Kerr, ''that this land would greatly
increase in value in afew years. If it does
LORD HELP THE DISTRICT.
Land in the District now was so high that a
poor man could just as easily build house in
the moon in the District"
Mr.. Hooker followed in an argument showing
why the District should be charged with one
half the cost. In reply to the remark that
Washington had sufficient number of parks
he said that the Soldiers Home was not a
park; it was home for the soldiers. Neither
was Arlington park; it was burying ground.
THE PARK A PUBLIC BENEFIT.
Mr.. Adams said the purchase would not be
mistake In financial sense as the amount of
taxable property would be largely increased
and the District greatly benefited.
THE NEED OF PARK.
Mr.. Hempbill explained the action Of the
amendment which had been passed. 1t killed
speculation in this property, he said. If piece
of adjoining property was enhanced in value by
this fact, even to the extent Of ten cents, the
owner would have to pay that amount. The
people of the District wanted this park
There is not park in the District he said.
where a child could put their feet on the grass
This park is going to obviate that trouble and
establish place where the poor man can go
and spend the day without obstruction.
MR.. BLUNT ON THE DISTRICT INDEBTEDNESS.
Mr.. Blunt (Ga) referred to the condition of
the finances of the District. Over 100000 900,
he said, was the debt and here was an
increase proposed Millions of dollars
were being spent by the government
in retaining 700 acres Of land on the river
front which has often been eloquently de-
scribed IN this House park; why
should more land be purchased of
private parties. Mr.. Blunt said
he saw no reason to suppose that children
would have any more privileges as to walking
on the grass in Rock Creek Park than they pos
sessed in any other park
MIR. Kerr followed in opposition to the en-
tire scheme.
The other amendments proposed by the COM
mittee were then adopted.
Mr.. MADoos AMENDMENT TO SHORTEN AND
WIDEN THE PARK.
Mr.. McAdoo, by unanimous consent offered an
amendment to the first section OF the bill which
provides that the tract of land to be obtained
shall run northwardly following the course
OF the creek of a width not less at any point
than 800 feet of which not less than 400 feet
shall be on either side of said creek.
The bill as it stands provides that
the tract shall be not less that 400 feet of which
not less than 80 feet shall be on either side of
the creek. Mr.. McAdoo said he did not believe
in combining the park to a narrow tract lying
down in hot valley. The park should be
shorter and wider.
MIR. HEMPHILL EXPLAINS.
Mr.. Hemphill explained that the park would
be narrow only between certain limits North
OF Broad Branch road and Blagden Mill road
the park could stretch out to such width as the
commissioners might think proper.
Mr.. Hemphill finally agreed to have the sec
ton provide that the park should be of width
not less at any point than 1000 feet of which
400 feet shall be on either side of said creek.
All other lines in reference to the width were
10 be struck out.
Mr. Tillman (SC.) wanted more money
spent for useful things in the District and less
for beautiful things.
Washington was a natural park as ii was.
whereas the court house, police headquarters
and District buildings were disgraces to the
city and nation.
Mr.. McAdoo's amendment to the first section
was agreed to.
FAVORABLE REPORT ON THE BILL.
Mr.. Holman moved that the bill be reported
to the House with recommendation that it be
recommitted to the committee on the
District of Columbia. Tellers were ordered on
the motion, the democrats, as a rule voting
for and the republicans in opposition to the
motion to recommit
The motion was lost, yeas So, nays GO. A
motion TO lay the bill aside with a favorable
Recommendation was then agreed to. This
passes the bill.
FOR A NEW BRIDGE AT JENNINGS.
The next measure called up was the bill pro-
'iNihS III oiiuBc hcrOso tuo IlisteTu UTducu
on the Bennings road. in place of the present
structure. 100000 is appropriated for the
purpose.
Mr.. Clements said he wished again to draw
attention TO the state of the finances of the
District and the great chance for deficit.
Appropriations were exceeding all estimates
and shock would soon be felt. This bill, he
thought was probably of a better character
than the last one considered, but the principle
was the same.
Mr. Post of Illinois said this bridge was
greatly needed. The present structure was
Very old and was even unsafe to life.
The bill was read by paragraphs and then
laid aside with a favorable recommendation.
TIE ROCK CREEK RAILROAD.
The bill amending the route OF the Rock
Creek railroad was passed.
PROPOSED BRIDGE FROM SOUTH CAPITOL STREET
TO GIEsBoRo.
Senator Barbour today introduced a bill, by
request, appropriating 5000 for the survey of
bridge from the foot Of South Capitol street
TO GiesDoro.
The new summer helmets for the police ar
rived here from Philadelphia this morning.
They are light hats both in weight and color,
and are considered the neatest adapted for
police wear for several years.