Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-11
NEEDS OF THE DISTRICT.
senator Mcmillan Talks About Some That
Are Important
WHAf THE PROBABLE CHAIRMAN or TUE DISTRICT
COMMITTEE SAYS ABOUT THE AoUEpucr TUS-
sEL-THx EXTENSION OF sTREkrs-rHr STREET
AND STEAM RAILROADS AND BRIDGES

AMI STEAM RAILROADS AND BRIDGES
The individual who asserts that Senator
James Mcmillan is going to be chairman of the
Senate committee on the District OF Columbia
Is not necessarily possessed Of the prophetic
instinct. In the Senate but few breaches are
made in the law of seniority and
there could be no possible excuse for step
ping over Senator McMillsn's head
As member Of the committee he has dis
played more than an ordinary amount Of in
terest in District matters and those who know
him feel satisfied that his activity in behalf of
the national capital will increase with
the added responsibilities tha. will
caucus committee makes its report Detroit
owes great deal of its beauty to Senator Nc
MILAN: he was president Of the city park COM
mission and served for some time on the board
OF estimates He therefore knows what
modern city needs. The Senator owns prop
erty IN Washington and this identifies him more
or less with the voteless and congressionally-
dependent residents of Washington.
THE AoUEpucT TUNNEL.
There are several things intimately con-
nected with the welfare of Washington that
ought to receive immediate consideration"
SAID the Senator TO a STAR reporter this morn
ing. ''One of the most important of these is
the aqueduct tunnel Recent experiences
In New York and elsewhere have shown
the necessity which exists in all
centers of population for an ample supply Of
water. To me there does not seem TO be any
sufhclent reason why the tunnel should not be
completed and used. There is money in the
Treasury for the work of repair and recon
str9enon, and, in my opinion, that money,
pended as soon as possible. 1t is
not quite plain to me why the tunnel was
abandoned. great many dollars had been
Invested IN 1t Because it faulty of con-
structlon IL places was no argument in favor
OF eternal abandonment. A combination of
Gen. Casey and cash can make something more
OF that tunnel than "a mere hole in the ground,
ana as result the city's water supply will be
materially and necessarily improved and in
creased.
EXTENSION OF STREETS AND AVENUES.
Another matter worthy of speedy consider
alton is the extension of streets and avenues.
Some of the main thoroughfares lind a too
speedy conclusion in a small, but obstructive
subdivision. These obstacles to the city's
growth should be removed as soon as possible.
Of course these extensions will cost more than
little money, but the expenditure will be i'm
measureably greater if We delay action
"Ihe streets have to be extended and the
work Will be less expensive today than il would
be tomorrow. The proposition is purely bus
mess one.
STREET RAILROADS.
"A word or two as to street railroads. The
occupation Of more of our fine streets and
avenues by street car lines should not be per-
mitted; it seems to me that the present roads
ought to do all the business. There certainly
should be no new roads unless property owners
on the line requested il; charters should
not be granted only on the petition of the few
people who are to profit by the legislation and
construction. There seems to me to be no
reason why any change should be made in the
present law forbidding the use of overhead
wires in the city after the date fixed by statute.
The storage battery cars are doing well; they
| have solved the electric problem.
THE STEAM RAILROAD QUESTION.
''The committee will probably take up the
steam railroad question at once. Personally
am much interested in the local situation and
shall give the matter all possible consideration.
Interested parties will have every reasonable
opportunity to express themselves and / feel
sure that the committee will strive to bring about
something tangible in the way of results
Probably the first phase to receive our atten-
tion will be that which pertains to the Balti-
more and Ohio Company. My impression is
that the authorities in that corporation
have shown willingness to act if Con-
gress will only make clear the way.
sincerely trust that conclusions mutually salts
factory and beneficial alike to the CITY and the
companies may be reached before the close of
this Congress
OUR BRIDGES
"Our bridges need reconstruction. There
should be such bridges across Rock creek as
could stand the vibration caused by the con-
cussion of rapidly moving horse hoofs. This
idea of having to walk horses across a bridge
Is aDsurdly antique and does not prevail
elsewhere. The structures should be solid and
ornamental Yes; something ought to be done
to the Long bridge, but that will be included in
the railroad considerations. There ought,
undoubtedly. to be a new bridge in place of
the OLD obstruction, and think there soon will
be. Then there should be a bridge from the
foot Of New York avenue across to Arlington:
it is necessity, and 1 think it only needs a
little advocacy to make il a reality.
"Of course these matters will keep some of
rs busy, but hard work never had any deieter-
ious effect on me. am willing to plough and
SOW and harrow II there is only fair promise Of
a harvest"