Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-23

The District committee obtained the floor At
an early hour today in the House and Mr..
Hemphill Immediately called up the bill to pro-
vide for the regulation of the street railroads in
the city. The bill, it will be remembered,
places the schedule on which all lines shall run
in the hands Of the Commissioners.
The roads are to file schedules for The ap-
proval Of the Commissioners, who have power
to alter and change the schedule at any time.
The bill was taken up with enthusiasm by the
House and storm Of amendments were imme-
diately poured IN.
MANY AMENDMENTS OFFERED,
Mr.. Blount offered an amendment, which was
adopted, requiring the Commissioners to re-
quire proper accommodations from the roads
as to seats. An amendment by MIR. Washington
was adopted requiring the roads to keep the
cars clean. Mr.. O'Neill offered proviso, which
was adopted, requiring the roads to run cars
every half hour between IL and o'clock in the
night Mr.. Cultivate offered his old amend
ment, somewhat altered, providing that no fare
shall be collected unless a seat is Furnished but
that no applicant shall be refused. This amend
ment caused considerable debate. Mr..
Heard opposed the proposition Wig.
Iowa offered an amendment to the amendment
striking out the proposition that no application
for ride should be refused. Mr.. Boatner fa-
vored the proposal with Mr.. HendersOn's amend
ment. Mr.. Cultivate thought it might be well
to adopt Mr.. Henderson's amendment and in
sert instead Of the portion struck out land the
Commissioners shall prescribe the number of
passengers that shall be accepted in each
car" This would leave the provision as pro-
viding no seat no fare, with the proviso in re-
gard to the Commissioners. A vote on the
amendment followed and it was defeated
ayes AZ, noes 40.
SHELTER FOR THE HILL BOYS.
Mr.. Stockdale offered an amendment provid-
ing that shelter should be furnished for the hill
boys On the various lines.
Mr.. Meredith proposed that each
furnished with an escort and An UNI
brella when ii rains. Mr.. Stockdale arraigned the
roads for cruelty in their conduct toward these
boys. He also strongly criticised the House for
paying attention to Indians, &c, and leaving
such children neglected. Mr.. Hemphill said
this was simple matter. 1t was an impossi-
bility to provide shelter for the boys who had
to meet car every two minutes.
Mr.. Houk wanted the House to get on with
the measure. Time was being wasted in the
discussion OF details which came within the
province of the District Commissioners Con-
gress could only legislate generally in this sort
of matter.
Mr.. Morrow Zeal. missed the road altogether
and devoted his five minutes to demanding that
the white women in the District be protected.
Mr.. Stockdale's amendment was defeated. The
bill was then passed.
THE LIVERY STABLE BILL.
Mr.. Hemphill then called up the Senate bill
for the protection of livery stable keepers and
other persons keeping horses at livery. The
bill allows animals to be detained until charges
shall have been paid. The Lii provides for
notices to owners, &c. The bill was passed
without debate
PERMANENT SYSTEM OF HIGHWAYS.
The next bill called up was the important one
providing permanent system of hi hways in
that part Of the District lying outside Of the
cities
This bill directs the Commissioners to pre-
pare plan for the extension of the streets
over the whole District as nearly in conformity
with the street plan Of the city as 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
sections with reference to the areas which have
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. copy Of the map ii to be deliv-
cred to commission composed of the Secretary
Of War, the Secretary Of the Interior and the
chief OF engineers, who are to make necessary
alterations. When a 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 ad-
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 Commits
sioner.
In cases where the RECORDED map alters or
dispenses with any highway in any existing
subdivision the Commissioners are to apply
within thirty days to the Supreme Court FOR
condemnation for the securing Of the necessary
land. In cases where the highways laid down
on the map do not lie within existing subdivi-
sions the Commissioners are to apply for con-
demnatiOn and opening at any time when, in
their judgment, 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 tract be taken to assess
benefits as well as damages. Further, the 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 out Of the
highway. The charge for benefits is to be as
sessed by the same jury and the charge is to be
lien upon the property and is to be collected
as special improvement taxes, payable in five
annual instalments, with interest at 4 per cent.
1uo PROVISIONS OF the Dill 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. If
Congress, however, does not make the neces-
sary appropriation within ninety days after
converting 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 SENATE BILL AS SUBSTITUTE.
The Senate bill on this subject was taken up
as substitute for the House bill The Senate
bill is similar to the House bill except in not
containing the provision providing that the
proceedings in any case shall lapse unless Con-
gress apprOpriates in ninety dnys
Mr.. Hemphill described the evils Of the pres
emit system of hap-hazard subdivisions outside
of the city limits, some in conformity with the
plan of the city and some not. There seemed q
little Misunderstanding as to the plan of the
bill, and Mr.. Hemphill explained that the bill
did not carry any bond provision.
The bill was taken up by sections. Mr.. Blount
objected to the tremendous scope Of the bill.
1t was true the bill left appropriations to fu-
ture Congresses, but it gave notice that the
intention was to lay out the entire
District with parks and avenues on the plan Of
the city. The real estate spectators would be
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