The Washington times., 1894-07-11
SEWER EXTENSION NEEDED
Favorable report Of Bond Issue by
hous District Committee.
no INCREASE OF TAX RATE
Recommendations that Cost of Extending
Streets Bsond the City Limits Be Borne
Entirely b the District-How the Money
Ii to Be Epended in Improvements.

The House district of Columbia Committee
has at last resented its favorable report to
Congress on te bill providing for the 81, 800, :
900 bond issu for sewer an highway extern
sion. A verynportant modification Is made,
however, in ,commending that the whole
cost OF street extension outside the city be
borne by the istrict alone, and not In part by
the United Safes. This recommendation is
made becaus some OF the members Of the
committee bteve such course ought to be
pursued. Th report states that the commit
tee was dividi on the question, and that the
provision wasnserted to meet such difference
In opinion.
Mr.. Richaison, Of the committee. pre-
sented the relrf which was the joint work OF
| Mr.. Cobb. OF alabama, and himself, to the
House. 1t Is very bulky document and has
appended to tquite mass Of statistics rela-
tive to the giwth Of Washington since 1860
and the healtrecor,Ss. Very full allusion is
Enade to the port Of the medical society on
thepSeeaience Of gsfih diseases in the city
and their connection Ndh imperfect sew Hage.
Also to the report Of ths board Of sanitary ex-
perts made in 1889. Ths part Of the District
which Is stated to be tho most in need OF bet
AA
The plan embodied in the plan prov des for
the discharge Of sewage below the city and
the abandonment oil all unsanitary sewers,
foul privies. canals, etc. The prevention OF
flooding OF two acres by rain is also to be
prevented.
In advocating the plan of sewer and street
the committee states that it Is the
most important measure which has received
the consideration Of the committee during the
present Congress. ansi the most important in
character that Congress has had to consider
since the organization OF the District govern
ment under its presout system. IL has. there
fore, received the vefy fullest consideration
by the committee, atad numerous hearings
have been given by them to enable them to
arrive at the wisest decision as to he import
ant project Thd report states that
It was the almost unanimous opinion OF the
members of the committee that the sewer
was necessary, but that not the
,alne amount Of un. .pimtty existed as to the
,dvisability oflextending the streets beyond
he city at the present time. owing to the pre-
railing financial conditions. There was also
feeling that the ohtlying district had re-
,eived in the past rather more than its share.
The committee as whole however, believes
hat the financial position OF the district is
uch that it will be- esisily able to bear the in
reased burden OF Indebtedness which such
.reet extension would require, especially as
he payment of the Interest thereon will not
lecessitate an increa3e In the rate Of taxation
N real estate values tis at present assessed.
figures are given Sd. owing that the county
las not only paid ITS lown debt which existed
vhen the District bechme territory, but that
obtained no hsnefltl from the district debt
+ 80, 800, 900 created when 1t was territory.
he county, Therefore, in the opir ion of the
should receive credit for its share
1 the new debt.
In conclusion, 1t is stated in the report, that
fter various hearingf and the suggestion of
number of amendments, some by indi-
iduals and a numbdr By the committee. it
Tas thought best to present substitute bill
lstead OF the original measure, because of
ne number of chanIges necessitated in the
ext.
The provisions OF the bill as given heretofore
rovide for the extension OF the trunk sewers
t cost not to exceedl 81 900 900; to provide
,r sewage disposal and protection against |
oods not to exceed e3.350.000; to lay out |
ighways outside th4 city limits, 81, $50. 900; |
grade and cut all Improved streets within |
lie limits OF the cities Of Washington and |
georgetown, 90, 600, ,0p0.
No bonds are to bel sold except as work is |
and they Are to be issued in small |
so as to be available for small |
lvestors. The District is to bear the cost Of |
ieir preparation alpd engraving, and the |
az Authorized to dispose of |
lem at not less n par