Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-01


change its motive power, and a date was
fixed after which. in case of failure, the
company should lose its charter. The COM
pany experimental with storage battery
cars without success, and, claiming that 1t
could not use a cable on account of the
crooked character of the line. was looking.
1t was asserted, to the trolley-electric sys-
tenn. and applied to Congress for an ex-
tension of the charter on the ground that
its experiments had been costly without at
fcrding the requisite relief. By the pro-
visions of this law the company Is author
lied to change its motive power to an un.
foreground electric system. The 9th street
line is to be completed in one year. and the
F street line in two years from the date OF
the approval Of the act. A highly impor-
tant feature Of the law Is a provision per-
hitting reciprocal arrangements with other
street railway companies for the use OF
tracks. so that suburban lines will be en-
abled to reach the center Of the city.
A bill to amend the new liquor law also
effects. First, to require the testimony OF
but one witness in order to secure prosecu-
lions; and, second, to exempt hotels and
Wholesale establishments located within 4OC
feet of churches and schools, having been
established within those limits prior to the
passage of the act of 1893. This saved
from revocation of license the great cluster
of hostelries in the vicinity Of the corner
Of 18th and H streets northwest.
Another valuable addition to the local
statutes was made in the bill to provide an
immediate revision and equalization OF
real estate values. and an assessment OF
real estate in 1896 and every third year
thereafter. 1t creates q board OF assistant
assessors to revise and equalize the tax
assessments. The board of assessors Is
also made the excise board or the Lastrlct.
A law was passed making labor day a
legal holiday In the District, and the first
celebration under the new law was a graft
flying success.
A number of bills of minor Importance
low xUh the
quirement that street railway companies
shall furnish new tickets and cancel each
ticket as soon as it Is used.
Absolutely nothing In the way OF leg1sia-
ton regulating steam railways was &C
complished. Efforts have been made at
both sessions of Congress to secure the
passage of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
bill, but without evail
Board of Trade.
The Washington board of trade became
more than ever during the year 1894 the
voice Of the people of the District. and its
relations with Congress were made closer
and more effective. The membership OF
the board increased from about $50 to 40.
and interest in its proceedings developed In
like proportion. The committees OF Con-
gress last session and throughout the year
came to recognize the board more and
more, and representations from that body
earnest attention. Three important bills
were advocated by the board. One Of these.
providing for a board Of assessment and
tax equalization, became a law. Afirma-
tive action was taken by the House on an
other providing for the issue Of $7,6OO,OOO
In 3 per cent bonds for the systematic ex-
tension of streets and sewers. Though the
board was particularly earnest In its ad-
yocacy of the third bill, that for the crea-
ton Of free public library. Congress has
so far refused to act favorably upon 1t. At
the annual meeting on the 10th OF January
the regular reports from committees were
received. showing that great amount OF
work had been done The bill for the free
public library was then earnestly advocat-
ed, and the board approved the proposition
unanimously. The board also recommended
the erection of a new municipal building.
At the regular meeting on the 14th of Feb
ruary the new tax assessment bill was
adopted by the board. with amendments,
in which 1t is now in operation. The board
that the Norfolk and West
err railroad be authorized to enter the city.
A committee was appointed to represent
the beard before the appropriations COM
mittee of the House in the interest of in
creased appropriations for the District. 1t
is thought probable that the influence Of
this committee largely contributed to the
increase of half q million of dollars which
was made In the Districts budget. On the
9th of March the board held a reception,
which was attended by a large number of
members of both houses Of Congress and
the most prominent citizens of the District.
On the 9th of March at a regular meeting
the board discussed the future Of the Po-
tomac flats. and at an adjourned meeting
held on the Sd of April the board unani-
mously recommended that the flats should
be always preserved as public park. At
this meeting the board also emphatically
expressed itself In favor of the abolition
of grade crossings of steam railroads in
. A 1-i1 to-
held on the 18th of that month. the bill for
free library was recommended for pas
sage. At the meeting of June 20 the board
discussed and formally approved the bill
for the street and sewer extension bonds
by practically unanimous vote. The bill.
as drawn, contemplated the retention Of
the principle that the general government
should pay so per cent of the expenditures
of the District. There were no meetings
held during the summer. and at the meet
ing of October "a routine business was
transacted. The annual meeting Of the
board was held on the 18th of November
instead of after the new year. and q vast
amount of business was transacted in the
reception and approval of reports from all
the standing committees. A resolution
favoring the extension of the civil service
to the municipal offices of the District was,
with brief consideration. laid on the table
At the meeting of December Is this resolu-
ton was taken from the table, and, after
one-sided discussion, was adopted by the
"A
resolution was also adopted providing for
the appointment of a committee to cooper
ate with the Civil Service Reform Associa-
ton to urge the extension recommended by
the resolution. At this meeting also the
president of the board, b. II. Warner, an
nounoed that select committee appointed
by himself at the request Of the House
subcommittee on District appropriations to
select site for the new contagious hos
pital that would be acceptable to the board
of trade, and agreed upon the reservation
on which the Jail is located. This caused
some discussion, which was terminated by
the board approving the action of the COM
mittee.
The City Post Office Building.
Comparatively little progress was made
during the year on the building that, when
completed, will be the home of the Wash
ington post office. The plans were changed
early In the year SO that above the sec
ond story the building is to be finished In
smooth-faced granite instead of rough
stone. Various delays occurred, SO that
tie work was thrown back even beyond
the already diIatory stage which it had
reached. On the LIST Of October The Star
began q daily mention of the state of the
work. including a count Of the men act,l-
ally engaged upon the structure. An eff
fort was made to reach by investigation