Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-25
DISTRICT IN CONGRESS
Lively Fight Probable Over the Court of
Appeals BilI.


The House committee on judiciary today de-
cided to give hearing next Monday morning
at 10 O'Clock to persons Opposing the bil r.
establish a court of appeals for the District
lively fight will probably be made over
this bill. and prominent lawyers of the District
VIII give their views upon the proposed
measure.
The overcrowded docket Of the District Su-
preme Court has been a source OF complaint
to lawyers and clients of this District for sew
cral years. All have been agreed that relief
should be afforded by Congress. but there has
been a disagreement to the mode of relief
which Congress should offer.
Many members of the Bar Association have
held the opinion that business would be facili-
tated by the organization of court Of appeals,
whose duties would be entirely of an appellate
nature, and that association appointed a COM
mittee which is advocating the bill providing
for such a court This would enable the Su-
preme Court now constituted to devote it's
attention to what are known trial cases.
On the other hand number Of lawyers
have maintained that the existing diff
culties would be obviated by the appointment
of three additional justices to the Supreme
Court. In this opinion the justices of the Su-
preme Court concurred.
Bills were introduced In this Congress en-
bodying both propositions. The House Judi
ciary committee at a recent meeting as reported
in HE STAR. received a report from its SUBJ
committee favoring the establishment Of the
court OF appeals. The subcommittee thought
this proposition, il carried out, would be more
beneficial than the appointment of three ad-
ditional justices to the present court
1t is understood that the full committee con-
cur in the report of the subcommittee. but in
Justice to the opponents of the bill will give
the hearing, as above stated, before reporting
the bill to the House.
The proposed court of appeals ia to consist OF
one chief justice and three associate Justices,
with clerk, crier and necessary officers
TO CLEAN The SEWERS.
In the House today Mr.. Grain introduced
resolution directing the District COMMITTEES to
inquire into and report to the House the
practicability of adopting system of reser-
voirs and pumping stations for relieving and
cleansing the sewers already constructed and
that may be constructed in the District.
ALL ABOUT BILL OF $40
Col. George II. Elliott. in charge of the WASH
ington aqueduct construction: the Secretary
of War; the Attorney General the Secretary of
tho Treasury, the Judge advocate general of
the army, Brig. Gen. Casey, Chief Clerk
Tweedale, the first controller of the
treasury, the assistant secretary Of WAR; about
half dozen majors and captains Of the army
and DIR. John III. Neal Of this city figure in
voluminous batch of official correspondence
submitted to the House today.
1t is all occasioned by matter Of $40 at
issue.
The trouble began when G. W. Brown, a
workman engaged In laying the 4s-inch water
main on street, was hurt by the fall Of der
rick September Il, 1889. through no fault of
his own.
Col. Elliott, then in charge, called in DR..
Neal who rendered medical assistance to the
injured man, putting in q bill of $40, which Col.
Elliott paid.
The controller Of the treasury held up Col.
Eiliotts account containing this item of ex-
pense charged against the government and de-
manded to know under what provi-
sion of the law should the appropria-
ton be charged for the services of the
surgeon rendered after the day upon which the
injury was received, after the injured man had
been taken to his home and after sufficient
time had elapsed to enable the injured man TO
employ a surgeon.
TO this letter Col Elliott replied that be
paid this bill upon authority Of the Secretary
of War. Col. Elliott said:
at must be legal to pay for medical services
to public animals. for it is done constantly
and 1 would by stralning point a little per-
haps place moderate medical services to la
borers and mechanics skilled like this man, on
the same ground. viz, that their services are
valuable to the government"
Then the law officer of the War Department
was called upon, who decided that the payment
could not be made from the regular appropria-
ton.
Then Brig. Gen. Casey cited q number of in
stances similar to Browns, where the govern
ment had paid for medical services to injured
employees.
Finally, when the War Department and
Treasury Department became hopelessiy at
loggerheads over the payment, and the Treas
ury Department holding nine points of the
law. viz, possession Of the funds, the
General for an opinion. but:that wary officiai
begged to be excused from entering the fQht
and declined to render opinion.
Now comes the War Department to Congress-
and asks for an appropriation to rsimburss
Col. Elliott for his outlay.
TO PROMOTE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.
In the House to-day Mr.. Hemphil introduced
joint resolution to provide facilities for the
promotion Of scientific research in the District
IL provides that scientific libraries and collec-
lions In the various museums and departments
In tt Q city shall be available for the inspect ton
search.
THEATRICAL LicExsEa
Tho joint resolution empowering the imme-
diate termination Of theatrical licenses unless
the proprietors make tho buildings conform 70
regulations which look to public safety was
sent to tho Senate today.
AGAINST THE RAILROAD rRAcxH
Citizens who own property on New Jersey
avenue between B and streets northwest are
opposed to the occupation Of that portion Of
the avenue by the Eckingtou and soldisrs
Home Railway Company. They have petit
TONED the senate to help them out Senator
PETER presented the petition.
NorEA
Senator Cullom today introduced IN old bin
'for the protection Of the rights Of owners Of
lots In Columbian Harmony csmstery."
Mr.. Csdmus (by requsst) introduced bin
in the House today extending the limit Of tine
for the completion Of the Washington and Sandy
Spring railroad until March I, 1881
Mr.. Gresnieaf introduced rssolution d SAs
House to pay d. e 6ackstt ea67 for services