Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-18
DISTRICT LA WMAKERS
The Prospect for Legislation of Local
Interest.
CHAIRMAN HARRIS TALK.
The Unsettled Railroad Problem-The Dis
trict Committee and District Appropria-
tions-An Interview With Senator Mcmillan
What Was Done in the Last Congress.

tennessee, VINO
by the change Of control in the Senate will be
the chairman Of the District comflittee for
some time to come, has been a member OF that
committee for many years and is thoroughly
acquainted with all the matters concerning the
District that have come up for congressional
action during that period. He has ALWAYS taken
prominent part IN the work of legislating for
the District, and 80 far as knowledge of local
affairs is concerned is as well fitted as any
member on the democratic side of the Senate
to occupy the position of chairman of the COM
mittee.
Senator Harris was seen at his residence, 10
LIST street northeast. BY a reporter of The STAR
last night and expressed himself very freely
regarding several points which will require his
attention and that of the new Senate commit
tee on the District of Columbia
THE DISTRICT COMMITTEE AND APPROPRIATIONS
In reference to the resolution recently intro
duced by Senator Sherman to SO change the
rules that hereafter the District appropriation
bill shall be referred to the District committee
instead OF the committee on appropriations he
said:
About eight or ten years ago there WAS a
lAoroCRn reorganization of the rules of the
Senate, and among the propositions offered for
consideration was that now proposed by Mr.
bill referred to the District committee. The
proposition was opposed. if 1 remember rightly,
by Ir. Edmunds, while debated the question
with him on the other side at some length A
majority Of the Senate. however, upheld Mr..
Edmunds. and the change in the rules WAS not
mace there are obvious and apparent reasons
why the bill should be considered by the Dis
trict committee. 1t is their business to be
thoroughly conversant with the conditions and
needs OF the District. and they above all
others should be qualified to act on
the bill. There is more necessity that
this bill should be acted on by the
District committee than that the river and
harbor bill should receive attention at the
hands OF the commerce committee. l have
not changed my opinion of years ago and l
as al heartily favor the change as then. What
the chances are for the adoption OF the resolu-
ton am unable to say, as have not canvassed
the Senate on it and do not know the present
sentiment regarding tie proposed change. but
II should be made. As far as l personally as
chairman of the Senate District committee am
concerned l would gladly leave the work to
some one else, as it entails great deal of labor
and time, but nevertheless the proper commit
tee to act on the District appropriation bill is
the committee on the District of Columbia
THE RAILROAD QUESTIONS.
"What is your opinion, Mr.. Harris. regarding
the enactment at the next session o. the bills to
j
sylvania and Baltimore and Ohio rairo.ds?'
For fifteen years. the Senator replied, II
have been connected with the efforts to have
these measures become a law. Tonight they
are no nearer enactment than they were at that
time. In my opinion bill cannot be drafted
that viii not meet with opposition. The fac
tional differences between the two companies
are too great. and what nigh. be satisfactory 20
one road will meet with bitter opposition from
the other. One system will suit one section of
the citizens and be distasteful TO another. The
result Is invariably the same and nothing is ac-
compiished. cannot foresee that the condi-
tons will change
"Whst will be the solution of the street rail-
way question in this city as to the motive
power 70 be used?"
I'VE have committed ourselves against nv
protest. and compelled the Washington and
Georgetown road to lay cable system and we
must protect them III their expenditures so as
to allow dividends to be made. This question
Is one OF the most important that will come be-
fore the committee. l consider the trolley sys-
tenn to be the cheapest and the best and be-
ieve that had we allowed thar road to put up a
trolley system We could have had the sale OF
tickets placed at cents each. and perhaps /,
without injuring the profits.
Nv hen the bill to allow the lexington and
Soldiers Home road to Use the trolley was be-
fore the committee l draft the messure winch
was reported to the Senate. The bill came up
danger of the trolley to human life. was un-
able to give information on this point and on
my motion the measure was recommitted aud
summoned the electricians of Boston, New
York Philadelphia. BALTIMORE and this city be-
fore the committee. On two POINTS they all
agreed-that 1t was only necessary to utilize a
power of 500 volts to propel the cars and that
this current would not in jnre human being.
The bill was again reported 20 the Senate and
passed. The road has nov been in operation
for some years and has proved successful
believe the trolley system to he the cheapest
and most prac teal now in use. 1t is ornamental
and lights the streets along which it runs.
Whether Congress will allow the use in this city
of the trolley / cannot saw"
''Do you not think that the wires interfere ma
terially with the operations Of the fire depart
ment?'
I'm that must admit, there is something of
an objection"
Senator Mcmillan TaIks.
Though the democratic majority in the Sem
ate has displaced Senator James Mcmillan
from the craftsmanship of the committee
on the District of Columbia. he still re-
mains a member of the committee and his
influence and entire familiarity with the
affairs of this CITY will undoub tedlv continue
to be felt for the benefit of the national
capital. He feels confident that the
general plan of Improvements which have
been inaugurated by the committee dur
ing his connection with it as chairman will be
followed out by Senator Harris and that the
important matters which the last committee
were unable to complete will find early con-
sideration and action by the new chairman and
committee.
Senator Harris" he said to STAR reporter
today. "has always taken the deepest interest in
the affairs OF the Die trict and has been most
active in carrying forward the work mapped
out by the committee. His long connection
with the committee and the prominent part he
has taken in all legislation affecting it makes
him especially adapted to act the chairman.
THE BUILDING REGULATIONS.
"Though everything that the last committee
would like to have accomplished could not be
done, still we fee! that many of the i'm
portant interests that were hanging fire for
years have either been carried to completion
or SO advanced that they are nearer
enactment than ever before. One of the most
important pieces OF legislation made was the
passage of the bill for the building regulations
and the placing in the power Of the Com
missioners the right to make such urther
regulations as they may see fit
Previously the city was without building regu-
lations except such as any small village might
have. Now the Commissioners have entire
control of this matter and, as in the
cases of the thea.ers. can, if necessary, close
them up should they feel that the
safety OF the public is not fully protected.