Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-09

Inc bill for the extension Of streets in the
District is still in conference committee, but as
Mr. Hemphil has returned action on the
measure is expected shortly. The conference
report on this subject has already been
made, 1t will be remembered, and was
rejected by the House. The questions at
issue were as to the manner in which the money
appropriated under the bill should be paid, and
the conference report provided that the spe-
cidc appropriations under the bill should
be charged one-half to the abutting property
and one-haf to the District revenues, leaving
the government out entirely as party in pay
ing for the actions directed by the measure.
The sums needed for these purposes, how
ever. were small and the future improvements
OF the extended streets were left to be pro-
vided for as other street improvements are in
the District.
MR.. BLoUNT's PERSISTENT OPPOSITION.
MIR. Blount, however, led fight against the
report and wished inserted a provision that the
government should not be called upon at any
time for money to improve the streets provided
for. 1t may be said right here that Mr..
Blount. for some mysterious reasons of his own,
has consumed more District time this session
In long harangues and trivial opposition to
District measures than would have
been required to pass half dozen such much
needed bills as the street extension measure.
his object and the bill was sent back to confer
ence.
WHAT MR. HEARD SAYS.
Mr.. Heard led the fight in favor of the report
on the floor. Today MIR. Heard in speaking Of
the bill said: "Mr. Bkounts position is
entirely untenable in this matter. We
yuar 20, La H.
should not be called upon for any of the money
falling directly under the bill itself. the benefit
being largely to the property itself, and the
amount Of money needed being small. To say,
however, that the United States should not bear
Its share in future improvements would be o
ridiculous discrimination.
THE citizens Of the District outside Of the
boundary pay taxes as well as those in the city
proper, and being deprived to a very large
extent of police, fire service, gas,
&c, the main benefit they derive
from their taxes is in the improvement of the
streets and roads. To make them dependent
for these Improvements solely upon the District
revenues in other words, to fl it so that every
Improvement made for them would cost just
twice a. much az similar improvements made
within the city limits would work peculiarly
hard injustice. Such a plan proposes a dis
elimination that would work untold harm to
the District.
WHAT THE PROPOSITION WOULD LEAD TO.
III 1t were adopted it would lead to endless
debates on District appropriations as to what
should be paid for by the District alone
and what should receive q contribution from
the United States. Followed to its
logical conclusion we should have q
debate on every proposal for a new sewer as to
whether its payment belonged solely to the
District or not. The idea is all
wrong. ALI the interests Of the
District should be treated alike
and if the ratio is wrong it should be change
in toto instead Of by determinations against
any one particular section.
BUNcoMBE TALK.
"All this talk Of the bill providing for enor-
nous expenditures Of money is buncombe Of
the most self-evident type. The bill itself pro-
vides for only the most formal proceedings,
carrying little or no expenditures Of money.
All appropriations are left to be made
~ the necessity arises by future Congresses
To say that the bill means extravagant expendi-
lures Of public money is to assume that all the
virtue Of the coming years is conferred in this
Congress and that after it only q dreary waste