Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-21
LOCAL LEGISLATION.
Senator Proctor's Bill for an In
creased Water Supply.
PROPOSED new RAILROADS.
Plan to Buy an Entire Square for
Government Use.
FORD'S THEATER INQUIRY

Senator Proctor today introduced a bill
by request providing for an increase In the
water rupply of the District. 1t amends
the act approved July 15 1882. so as to
enable the Attorney General and the Sec
retary OF War to obtain titles for the
United States by right Of eminent domain
or otherwise to such lands and water rights
at or above the Great Falls as they may
deem necessary for the present and future
supply Of water for the District Of Column
bia- The water thus taken is to be used
Tor any or all purposes. Within ninety
days after the approval Of the act the
Secretary Of War and the Attorney Cen
eral shall make written statement speci-
lying their needs and bonds, the lands that
may be necessary and the quantity Of water
per day required, and shall file triplicate
originals OF this statement in the Offices of
the recorder of deeds for the District of
Columbia. the county Of Fairfax, Va, and
the county OF Montgomery, Nd, and this
Ming shall be the taking for the United
States by the right of eminent domain and
snail thus rest the title through the lands
and water right absolutely in the United
States.
Section 2 of the bill provides that the
Secretary Of War and the Attorney General
snail agree with any of the owners OF the
lands and water rights taken, or of sny
lands damaged by those taken, or by main
tanning the Great Falls dam at its pres
ent height, upon the amount to be paid
therefore, they shall give the owners GER
tncates specifying the sums to which they
are entitled, and these officials shall have
the power to enter into contract with the
owners OF the lands adjacent to the Great
Fails, to secure to the United States The
right to use so much Potomac water or
may not be taken. as the foresaid and used
by the United States.
Three commissioners according IN aac.
tion s, are to be appointed by the Secre-
tary OF War and the Attorney General to
appraise the value of the lands and the
water rights and the damages resulting
from the occupation by the government
section grants to the owners OF the
property the right to institute suit against
the United States in the Court of Claims
in case Of disagreement upon the question
OF price The Court Of Claims is author
lied to appoint board of reference, con-
slstng OF three persons or more who
shall be skilled in hydraulic engineering.
10 Determine controverted questions of
fact that may be referred by the court to
them; the right of appeal from the Court
of Claims to the Supreme Court of the
United States being granted. Persons under
disability, as described in section 1O6y, Re
Vsed Statutes. may bring suit 1T any time
removed.
The bill was referred to the committee
on the District of Columbia.
The bill makes no appropriation for the
purpose OF securing these lands and water
rights. -.--------,..,l- -. -.
Ford's Theater Disaster.
Mr.. B. II. Milliken of this city has been
appointed clerk to the select committee to
investigate the Ford's Theater disaster 1t
Is probable that the committee will not be
able to hold any sessions during the recess
as some Of the members have engagements
that take them out of town. The committee
VIII be organized Immediately after the holi-
rha IL -
viii be begun and pushed vigorously. 1t Is
thought that the inquiry will occupy sew
eral months.
A Proposed Railway.
Mr.. Talbot of Maryland, by request, has
introduced q bill to incorporate East Wash
ington Heights Traction Railway Company
The incorporators are James G. Berret
Archibald NJ. Bliss, Hamilton Disston Geo.
s. Boutwell,. Albert w. Fletcher, Chauncey
Marshall, Jacob j. Leeds Joseph Clark,
Samuel Cross, Thomas ]. Clunie E. c. Car
penter, T. E. Roessle. H. A. Linger. Will
liam H. Rapley. John G. Slater, Edward c.
Potter. NJ. 1. Weller. Albert Carry, Arthur
Mahoney, w. H. Hazard, Charles H.
Wheeler. Appleton P. Clark, jr., Charles l..
Du Bois, w. n. Morrison, Frederick A. Leh-
mann, A c. Horbacher, C. C. Lancaster,
henry Brock, Chas. A. MeEwen and J. p.
Livingston.
The route of the road is as follows: Com
mencing at the junction of the Naylor and
Bowen roads, thence along the Bowen road
or Albany street, to Branch avenue, thence
along Branch avenue to PENNSYLVANIA ave-
nue. extended, thence across the new East
eIn brancn bridge, thence northwestwardly
along pennsylvania avenue to Sth street
east, thence along Sth street to Massa-
cnusetts avenue, thence along that ave-
nue. to street north. thence along b street
TO 4th street east, thence along 4th street
70 street north, thence along c street to
New Jersey avenue.
The company Is authorized to propel its
cars by cable. electric or other mechanical
power. subject to the approval of the Com
missioners. Steam power shall not he used
by any motor which shall In its onera tion
cause any noise or other disturbance. or
which, in the judgment OF the Commission-
comfort" N
Anacostia Extension.
Mr.. Heard. by request has introduced a
bill in the House authorizing the Anacostta
and Potomac Railroad Company to extend
its route as follows:
From the intersection of its tracks at Atb
street with E street southeast north alon,
eth street to street southeast; thence e. AZ
along B street to 7th street; thence north
along 7th street to Florida avenue OF
Boundary street.
To Purchase Ground.
Mr.. Robbins has introduced a bill In the
House approp.iating 10000 for the Dur
chase Of all of square 6s3, except lot 1 and
part of lot IL, which now occupied by
the government, the ground to be used fol
. hall Of records for the geological survey
and for such other government buildings a.
Congress may hereafter require.
The Assistant Register.
The Secretary OF the Treasury has decided
10 make change in the office of deput,