Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-20
DISTRICT MEASURES PENDING.
Local Legislation Awaiting q Chance on tho
House Calendar.

Local Legislation Awaiting Chance on the
House Calendar.
OVER FROM rn&E TO rIaE-sILLs TO BE con-
PROPOSED PLAN OF STREET KxrESsIoNs-THE
woMANs REFoRNAroRY.
The late District days in the House have been
sirguiarly unproductive of results. 1t has be-
come almost an impossibility to retain a
quorum for more than five minutes after the
District committee obtains the floor and the
few members who remain seem to do so with
obstruction as their main purpose. There is no
lack Of material on which the House could work
on District days if il felt so disposed. There are
eighteen bills on the calendar from the District
committee patiently waiting to be reached.
Four Of these bills must be considered in COM
mittee Of the whole, as they carry appropria-
tons, and fourteen are on the regular House
calendar Some have been reported for such a
time that track has almost been lost of their
characteristics.
THE FIRST ON THE LIST.
At the head of the list is II. R. 6646, providing
THAT the act approved March !, 1889, entitled
an act to reappropriate to pay for alley con-
demned in square numbered 493 bAmended by
striking out all thewords after the enacting clause
and in lieu inserting, that, out Of any money
IN the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
there be, and the same hereby is, appropriated
a sum sufficient to pay, with interest, at the
rate Of 6 per centum per annum from August 6,
in the year 1870, to the date of the approval of
this act the persons entitled to the amount
awarded by the jury of condemnation for the
land taken for an alley through square num-
bered 1873. in the city of Washington, in the
District of Columbia
THE woMAN's nEFoRMAronY.
The second bill is the one providing for re-
formatory and house of detention for women,
which was considered last District day without
result. The bill appropriates $500, 200 for the
purpose.
THE EXTENSION OF STREETS.
In many ways the most important bill on the
calendar is the third on the list, which is II. r
1884. providing for q permanent system of
highways in the District outside of the city.
This bill directs the Commissioners TO pre-
pare a plan for the extension of the streets
over the whole District as nearly in conformity
with the street plan of the city is advisable
and practicable The highways are not to be
less than ninety feet nor more than 160 feet
wide, except in case of existing highways. The
plan is to be prepared from time to time in
streets opened to public use and where areas
are covered by existing suburban subdivisions
not IN conformity with the general plan of the
city. Whenever the plan of any section shall
have been adopted map showing
every feature is to be prepared. A
a commission composed of the Secretary of
War, the Secretary Of the Interior and the
chief Of engineers, who are to make necessary
alterations. When q majority Of the commits
sion approves the map a copy is to be filed in
the Office Of the recorder of deeds, and after
such filing no subdivision Of land is to be adj
mitted to record unless in conformity with the
map and approved by the commissioners. To
carry out the provisions the bill provides for
two civilian assistants to the Engineer Commis-
sioner.
In cases where the recorded map alters or dis
penses with any highway in any existing subdi-
vision the commissioners are to apply within
thirty days to the Supreme Court for condem-
nation for the securing of the necessary land.
In cases where the highways laid down ON the
map do not lie within existing subdivisions the
commissioners are to apply for condemnation
and opening at any time when, in their judg
ment, the public convenience shall require it.
The court, however, is to decide whether the
necessity exists.
The bill provides for regular condemnation
proceedings and directs the jury in cases
where only portion Of a tract be taken to
u II.
bill provides that one-third Of the amount
awarded as damages for each highway is to be
charged upon the land benefited by the laying
ont of the highway. The charge for benefits is
to be assessed by the same jury and the charge
is to be a lien upon the property and is to be
collected as special improvement taxes, paya-
bic in five annual installments with interest at
per cent.
The provisions Of the bill in regard to the
payment for the property are somewhat pecu-
liar. 1t provides that when the court shall
have assessed the damages on any parcel of
land it shall decree that the payment be made
either to the parties into court Upon the
presentation Of this decree to the treasurer of
the United States he is to report the same to
Congress for the necessary appropriation. II
Congress, however, does not make the neees-
sary appropriation within ninety days after
eonyening or after receiving the decree, being
IN session, the proceedings are to be deemed
abandoned and the land freed from any claim
on the part of the government.
THE CARE OF DEPENDENT CHILDREN
The fourth bill on the calendar appropriating
money is the bill providing for the care Of de-
pendent children and creating board Of chill
dren's GUARDIAN. This bill creates a board
composed of nine members, who are to serve
without compensation. The members are to
be appointed by the judges Of the Police Court
and the judge holding the Criminal Court. the
assent Of majority being necessary to appoint
ment. However, the board is always to have at
least three members Of each sex. The board is
to have power, subject to the approval Of the
Commissioners, to secure by purchase or lease
suitable premises for the establishment Of a
temporary home for children and to make ar
rangements for the care Of dependent children
at such rates as may be agreed upon. The bill
states specifically the children who can be cared
for by the board which is to have ample powers
Of guardianship over the children, and may in its
Judgment. board them at public institutions, in
private families, or bind them out "a appren-
tees, &c.
committee Of the whole and which provide for
the expenditure Of money.