The Washington times., 1894-06-20
HEARING WAS A LIVELY One
Some Opponents of the Bond Issue
for Sewers Were Noisy.
CHECKED BY THE COMMITTEE
Little Substantial Opposition to the Project
Mr.. Bell Was Sarcastic About Men in
Brass Buttons"-Raised His Voice and
Pounded the Desk.

opposed to the proposed bond issue for new and
extended sewers was lively one. Two or
three Of those who came to protest were in
clined to be rather too demonstrative in their
remarks, and In one case the committee had
to threaten refractory individual with re-
fusal to grant him hearing If he did not
desist from his Interruptions and withdraw
certain Objectionable remarks he had made
concerning the Impossibility Of getting justice
before the committee. Another turbulent
speaker insisted on his right to address the
toner had gotten through.
The hearing developed the fact that there
was very little substantial opposition to the
project, and as one petitioner put it, the
arguments of those opposed were sufficient to
convert all in doubt on the question.
Mrs. Briggs, OF this city, was the first
speaker. She urged that n bond issue should
not be fastened upon the citizens, because at
present one-third of the small homes are
being sold for taxes. The sewer system was
good, and every new system would be out
dated in few years and have to be dis
carded.
Mr.. E. H. Brown, representing residents Of
the northeast section, then spoke. He declared
that there was opposition in that section to
the proposed plan. Mr.. Brown then discussed
the overflow of the sewers, and thought 1t
was not due to the bad condition of the present
sewers, but to the Long bridge. which threw
back the sewage. If the system of sewers
was defective, it ought TO be remedied and not
extended. He then urged that the arguments
of the Medical Society at their recent hearing
did not show that the sewers were necessary.
What was necessary was to have privies con-
nected with sewers.
DISCUSSION ON THE SIDE.
Here a side discussion took place concern
ing the water system of New Orleans and its
use Of rain water for drinking purposes, dur
ing which Mr.. Brown said he had drank
enough Mississippi water to float ship, and
that it had come into the city in the usua.
way. 1t was stated that $500, 900 per annum
would pay the interest on the bond issue
and the cost OF a sinking fund TO amortize
the debt. Mr.. Brown still thought the levy
ing of such a tax iDequitabe and in favor of
one section in preference to another.
Mr.. Holbrook then addressed the commit |
tee. He wanted the work done in accordance |
with the plans Of the sanitary engineer. and |
thought the plans did not sufficiently cover |
this point. Mr.. Heard and Mr.. Richardson |
explained that it was impossible to bind sue |
ceeding Congresses, and each one had to act |
for itself. Mr.. Holbrook said he was tired of |
experiments.
Mr.. Cobb, OF the committee. said he thought
the plan was dangerous. He wanted TO know
whether the people of the District wanted
the debt. This statement brought out a
demonstration ofapplause from the opponents
Of the bill under the leadership of Mr.. r. j.
Bell.
Mr.. Cobb, Of the committee. then said: DO
you want city government" and TO the
several replies of "Yes, yes,'' he added: II
will vote to give it to you" This resulted in
another outburst of applause from Mr. Bell,
who had to be restrained by Mr.. Heard.
1t was finally decided that Mr.. Holbrook
should prepare an anendment embodying the
provisions he wished added.
When Mr.. Holbrook finished, Mr.. Bell
asked to be heard. Several members of the
objected unless he withdrew re-
marks he had made early in the meeting to
he effect that it was impossible TO get justice
before the committee. He Withdrew his
offensive remarks and proceeded to explain
lis opposition.
If Seventh street connected and landed l 500
eet south of the Long bridge. This could be
lone for about Sl60 900.
All sewers south of Seventh street could be
anded at Second street and the deep waters
If the Eastern branch for S3O0,O00 The
otal for both would be S460,00O, and would
ave millions.
Mr. BELL MADE ANOTHER TRADE.
Mr.. Bell then made another TRADE against
he "men in brass buttons to whom we have
o tip our hats" and finally becoming heated,
aised his voice, and began pounding on the
able in such an excited manner that people =
n the corridors began to crowd around the
pened door of the committee room. Finally
e gave one good pound that made every
hing in the room rattle, and Mr.. Heard pro-
ested and secured silence by the announces
nent that the gentleman had taken five
minutes over his time. He then said that he
hought it would be wise to reflect whether it |
rould be proper to consider the proposition
Or the extension Of the roads. now that the
ewage part of the bill had been discussed.
Mr.. Cook, of the Bricklayers' Union, then
rged that local assessments should be made
or the streets on the local owners. but no
avored the sewage proposition. Mr.. Cook
,as afraid some other material than brick !
'ould be used for the sewers.
Mr.. NJ. /. Weller said he was opposed only
D minor details. He wanted the amount OF
i. 50 day limited as lowest pay for day OF ,
light hours in the construction of the
ewers, as the average number of days of en-
loyment was only seventeen month. He o
lso wanted the most populous parts of the S
ity favored in the street and sewer con- t
truction. Y
Commissioner Truesdel then stated the ! !
Notification recommended by the Commits /
oners, which provided that grading, etc.. !
hould be done in the city in preference to l
lie territory outside.
R. H. Warner. president OF the board OF ,
.ade, made the point that no addition could +
8 made in the tax rate. but nevertheless email \
olders, when the assessment plat was put j
pom record would have an unpaid assess '
ent as well as mortgage debt upon their !
roperty, and consequently clouded title y
fected through legislation. \
Commissioner Truesdell then made a few h
'marks to refute Mr.. Dodge's statistics of c
lie debt of the District. Half is a debt OF the A
nited States. so that the per capita debt is c
ot unduly large or the tax rate excessively
gh. being limited to one and half per cent
9 commented on the fact that the pay
ent of interest would not be at once upon the ri
hole bond issue, but only on such as it was \
,cessary to sell from year TO year until the
ork was completed. He also added that )
would be cheaper to push the highway c
tension now, because the Commissioners o
ere, under existing law, pushing such work, p
I'd this could be done more cheaply in con- d
notion with the present extension. He then n