The morning times., 1895-12-02
FRIEND OF THE DISTRICT
Mr.. Hepburn Outlines Some
Prospective Legislation.
HIS VIEW OF THE BOND BILL
Sanction the Measure as Proposed.
Dollar Gas and the New Municipal
Building May Go Through the Pres
ent House.

Hon. W. P. Hepburn of Iowa, who will
in all probability have much to do with
District leg isiation in the next House.
spoke interestingly to The Times last
night upon some of tue more important
matters In which the local taxpayers are
interested.
His thorough familiarity with the needs
of the District and his weliknown inter
est in the Capitol City, render his opinion
of peculiar value at this time.
Speaking of the bond bill, Gen. Hepburn
said:
That is a subject with which in its
present aspect / am not familiar, and /
probably ought not 10 discuss 1t without
first Investigating il thoroughly. l am
of the opinion, however, from my present
Information, that Congress shou Id not
pass bill of that nature.
II know there are several important sub
divisions. as for example. Mount Pleasant.
and others densely populated which. II
not already properly lighted and severed
and provided with good streets, Should
be given considerations: and doubtless viii
be in some form, but do not believe the
'boud bili.' as IL Is termed VIII be sane
oioned. or course / am not undertaking
to say what Congress Will do upon this
or any other subject"
CONCERNING THE TROLLEY.
DO you think 1t probable that Congress
will recede from its position on the over
head trolley question:" he was asked.
mo. On the contrary, / believe that
any corporation that comes to Congress
with proposition TO repeal the la against
the overhead system Will not only fail to
get what II asks for, but viii iDcite the
enactment of law that will take away
the privileges now given. l believe. also.
that there is a great probability in such
contingency al having horse power aboi-
ished absolutely and the introduction of
the underground cnnduit instead.
No. do not believe the overhead trolley
will ever be restored. The very cum
panies that have been Obliged tn introduce
underground power Will aid in defeating
its restoraton.
There is another thing that should have
attention The street car lines ought tn
be compelled to Interchange tickets and
transfers. l am not saying it will be re-
but say il should be done"
DOLLAR GAS MUST COME.
''What about dollar gas. general?'
The last House passed n measure re-
quiring a reduction in the price, you viii
remember, and in addition the companies
were obliged by the bill to increase the
candle-power of the product. L believe
similar bill if presented will pass both
houses OF the present Congress"
THE wards of the nation are asking
for a municipal building and courthouse.
What have you To say concerning that
proposition?'
the old building ON Judiciary square should
be obiiterated and cnmIhodious structure
substituted for the accommodation OF all
the District departments"
And the courts?'
"The courts included. of course But
there is another proposition discussed.
privately. that strikes me favorably. The
United States Supreme Court requires new
quarters. 1t has been suggested that the
two squares north OF the new library
be utilized for the construction OF 4 build
ing that will accommodate that body.
FOR A MUNICIPAL BUILDING.
The objection was made. believe. that
a Supreme Court building alone will not
correspond favorably with the library.
and that is met with the further sugges-
ton that the proposed structure shall be
made large enough to include accommoda-
tioDs for the District courts and the nrf'i-
cipal offices. Ii would then be of suitable
proportions to become a companion piece
for the one across the street.
.'In this day of rapid communication
people do not look so much TO the matter
OF location when arranging for public
building. Take Chicago as an example.
When the question of locating the post
office was up. there was no disposition
10 seek the center OF business, or any other
center. and the people are satisfied with
ne results. Those who have business
with the postoffice rarely go there, and
so it is with the tax office. one man will
attend to the business OF hundred. and