Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-14
DISTRICT LEGISLATION
Mr. Heard Says Local Measures Will Be
Vigorously Pushed.
The Sewerage Bill One of the Pend
ing Matters-Improvemen in
the Railroad Systems.

Chairman Heard of the House District
committee is in the city for a few days.
having heen called to Washington upon
some personal business. Mr.. Heard Is one
Of the Missouri democrats who was swept
out by the republican tidal wave which
submerged that state. He does not con-
slider 1t a misfortune, however, in his own
case, as he had previously announced his
intention not to become a candidate for
denomination after the Fifty-fourth Con-
gress, and he is very we'll content to re-
tire to private life and look after his own
interests two years earlier than he had
otherwise intended.
Mr.. Heard says the republican victory
In his district was due to apathy among
the democrats and the stay-at-home vote
Overconfidence on the part of the demo-
Gratis also figured In the matter to GER
tain degree. That district has heretofore
been such a rock-ribbed democratic strong
hold that the party workers did not think
there was cause for any unusual efforts
this year, such as were put forth In one
or two other Missouri districts, resulting
In the election of the democratic candi
dates by small majorities.
Mr.. Heard will return to Washington by
the first week in December and resume
his duties as chairman of the District
committee. He will endeavor he says, to
push the District LEGISLATION as rapidly
as possible and accomplish much as
possible during the short session before
him.
Il shall make every effort to bring the
sewerage bill before the House and get IT
through" said Mr.. Heard today, for 1
consider that one of the most important
bills in behalf of the District coming be-
dence taken before our committee during
the last session proves conclusvely the
need Of sewerage improvements in the Dis
trict of Columbia, and the method for
securing the improvements proposed by
that bfll commends itself. There Is un-
doubtedly strong feeling on the part OF
the citizens that the bill should be passed
at an early date, so that the work may be
commenced as soon as possible, and 1
shall do my part toward urging Congress
to give the people Whist they want In this
@po you think the ihort session will be
prolific of District legislation" Mr.. Heard
was asked.
1T is very hard to say at this time how
that will be-" answered the District chair
man. II really do not know how much we
will ne able to accomplish. There are those
who think that the work of the short ses-
sion will be confined generally to the
pration bills, which apparently would af-
ford opportunities for District legislation
between times, but II Is not always when
circumstances are the most favorable on
the surface that the most work can be
accomplished. However, there need be no
fear that the District coInnittee will spare
any effort to get its legislation through.
There is considerable business on hand
now, the calendar being pretty well stock
ed. and 1 cannot undertake to say what
new legislation the Committee may decide
upon. The street railway business Is In
good shape. The legislation Of the last
session in this direction was the most i'm
portant and far-reaching which has heen
had for many years. 0ne particular feat
ure of it, which will be appreciated more
from time to time. is that the city streets
have been saved from indiscriminate in
vasion by railway tracks, while at the
same time the service has been vastly i'm
proved and extended. When / came to
Congress every street railway In this city
but one had bobtailed cars and there was
not a mile OF grOoved rail In the city, and
think 1 aided the enactment of the legis-
lation which resulted in the present cable
system. That provision of the Metropoli-
tan bill which we passed at the last ses-
sion, authorizing the use of existing tracks
by Ill roads, is destined to Irove of great
value to the city and to add greatly to the
service"