Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-19
THE BOND ISSUE
Last Hearing on the Sewer E1ten-
sion Project.
some CURIOUS OPPOSITION
Mr.. Bell Has Trouble With the
District Committee.
GENERALLY SATISFACTORY


the hearing developed some interesting fea-
lures. One man objected to the bill because
II may give more work to the concrete
mixers than the bricklaye-s. Another
mans objection to the general bill was
based on the fear that one section Of the
city might be improved more than another.
Conflicting plans for sewer systems were
accountable for other opposition to the gen.
sral bill.
At the opening of the hearing Mrs.
Briggs addressed the committee. She OBJ
jected to the issue Of bonds because the
small homes of the city are already incum-
bered by debts.
Our pockets are still being picked" she
said. by the gang that came in with the
'Magruder stubs" "
She read a statement to the effect that
the work now being done on sewers Is not
Of the best character.
Mr.. z. II. Brown. who said he represented
the citizens Of Washington, and especially
the citizens OF Northeast Washing ton, ask
ed for fifteen minutes in which to oppose
the bill. Chairman Heard asked that the
opposition arrange the time among them.
Mr.. r. ]. Bell interrupted Mr.. Heard with
the remark that 1t would be of no use to
talk at all, II the committee does not give
enough time to enable justice to be done.
The committee took umbrage at this re-
mark. and Mr.. Bell was called to order Sc
verely.
Mr. Brown said the bond proposition as
first broached was to issue $40. 900 900 of
bonds. That proposition was discussed at
q large public meeting Of citizens. and the
plan was opposed
This bill was not the bill under discus
sion at that meeting" interrupted Mr..
Frizzel Chairman of the Northeast WASH
ington Citizens Association. ..
Mr.. Brown did not seem disconnected by
this statement. but proceeded to refute the
assertion made at a recent meeting by MIR.
B. H. Warner. that the rich and the poor
mi fad vr,ao Mr.
held that the rich men whose property
would be benefited. the builders. who
would profit. and the workmen of the city
may be united this point, but the ma
jority OF the citizens, he thought, are not
In favor Of the bond issue. He contended
that the overflow Of the city Is due to the
Long bridge and not to defective sewers.
Mr. Heard suggested that this bill is to
deal largely with high sections OF the city
where there are no sewers and where sew
ers are reeded for the health of the city
Mr.. Brown thought ii would be better to
remedy the existing defective system of
sewers than to extend It, The arguments
or the medical society about the unsanitary
condition Of the city are not arguments
not drink the pump water. and they will
not have. typhoid fever.
washington got along without sewers at
al for fifty years." said Mr.. Brown. in a
triumphant voice. He did not think there
was much to fear from James creek canal.
because the sewage Is carried on by the
current of the river.
The proposition in this bill Is to put
neavy debt on the city," continued Mr..
Brown. I'VE will have to pay the interest
on II, and the appropriations will be re-
ouced thereby. There are many streets
unpaved In the northeast section. and in
spite OF that II is proposed to extend streets
In other sections"
Mr.. Holbrooke addressed the committee
In opposition to the bill In its present
shape He believes in sewer extension as
proposed by the sanitary commission In the
plan which Is now being carried out. No
law has been passed by Congress. however.
requiring that plan to be followed. So far
as appropriations have thus far been made,
~ Is 10 construct one trunk. He advo-
Gated amending the bill so as to confine the
Commissioners to carrying out the plan of
the sanitary commission. He feared that this
BILL VIII not appropriate sufficient money
TO carry out the work. because the cost Of
sewer construction in this city has been in
creased 20 per cent since the estimates Of
the sanitary commission were made.
He was willing that the debt should be
incurred. In order to make public Improve
ments. but he wanted a definite plan agreed
upon
Chairman Heard and other members of
the committee suggested that the bill dis
tincty provides that the work shall be done
In accordance with the plans of the SAINT
tary commission.
Mr.. Cobb's Position.
Mr.. Cobb asked IL the people are willing
to shoulder the debt for he himself thinks
the proposition an unsafe one. This state
ment by member of the committee was
greeted with applause by Mr.. Bell and one
or two Others and when Mr. Cobb added
tnat he favors giving the people of WASH
1ngton local government, Mr.. Bell and his
colleagues shouted, that's itr'
Mr.. Bell then asked leave to address the
committee Mr.. Cooper of Florida said he
would object to Mr.. Bells talking unless
he withdrew the reflection which he had ca ar
upon the committees sense Of Justice Mr.
Cooper expressed his eagerness to give a
nearing to every citizen, but he did not pro-
pose TO stay in the room II Mr. Bell were
to be permitted to cast slur upon the
committee.
Mr.: Heard supported Mr.. Cooper. and told
Mr Bell he must apologize before he pro-
mittee misunderstood him. He had onIv
intended TO suggest that the Opposition
could not In the short space of time allotted
them do justice to their arguments
This statement was sufficient and Mr.
Bel was permitted to proceed.
MT. Bell was opposed to the bill because
the city Is already the best severed city
In the United States, except in resnect to
the outlet to deep water and he wouId e,vo
q bond TO furnish that outlet for $500 600
Mr. Bell then criticised the system Of
sewer Improvement commenced under the
plan OF the sanitary commission The plan
was not being carried out, however he
said. and the projectors were trying to run
water up hill. He never saw a West Point
hill. II II had not been for West Point
there would have been no rebellion
In answer to a question by Mr.. Cobb. Mr..
Bell confessed that he did not know the
members OF the sanitary commission He
knew all about sewers. however he said
and has had fifty years experience building
them. Mr.. Bell persisted in discussing the
plans of sewers. despite Mr.. Heard's state
ment that the committee wants to know
whether the citizens desire the bond issue
or not Mr.. Bell said he opposed the bond
issue because 1t does not require such a
large sum of money to make the improve
ments.
Il will do the work for $4,000 said Mt
Fell. but don't want any Of those brass
button fellows from West Point interfering
with my work" Mr.. Bell then proceeded
% an arraignment of the West Pointers.
Brick md Concrete.
Mr.. Cook, claiming to represent the
bricklayers of the city. said he opposed the
bill
rs not your objection due to the fact"
asked Mr.. Lipscomb. that you fear that
concrete will be used in the sewers to the
exclusion of bricks?''
why. yes" answered Mr.. Cook
That's all 1 wanted to develop" said Mr..
LipscoInb.
Mir Cook said the bricklayers are in