Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-20
Commissioners Have a Conference
Over the Law.
Mr.. WlRFHIEGTON'S VIEWS OBTAINED
Proposed Amendments That viii
Perfect the Law.
OTHER DISTRICT AFFAIRS

A conference was held at the District
building today between the Commissioners
the attorney for the District and Mr.. A. s.
Worthngton. The subject of the confer
ence was a bill to be presented to Congress
amending the highway act by striking out
those features which said to be uncon-
stituional and the substitution of other es-
sential matters necessary to the enforce
ment CT the act.
1t will be recalled that 1t was Mr.. Worth
inston who drafted the highway act at the
suggestion of the board of trade, which
took an active interest in getting the legis-
lation through Congress. Mr.. Worthington
was called in. it is understood, so the Com
missioners might have the benefit Of his
views before proceeding with the matter.
1t Is understood that a bill has been drawn
and today's conference was for the purpose
of considering it, prior to its final adoption
by tie board of Commissioners. When 1t
will be presented to Congress is not known,
but it Is believed the Commissioners will
lose no time in getting the matter before
Congress and will urge its speedy adoption.
The authorities do not look for any serious
opposition to the bill.
Since The Star first called attention to
the serious defects in the highway act the
9th instant the Commissioners have been
considering the entire question, and a num-
Der of conferences have been had on the
subject. They realize the Importance of
tine matter and their interest is manifest
The conference today, it is understood, was
for the purpose of finally determining upon
q course of action 1t is understood the
Commissioners exhibited a draft of bill,
which was drawn after conference with At
torney ThoTas, and Mr.. Worthington dis
cussed the legal featI res at length. The
Commissioners declined to be interviewed
on what transpired at the conference. Just
what the amended bill will set forth is not
yet known although it is certain that the
section relating to assessments for benefits
arising by virtue of the extension will be
made more specific and methods of adjudi-
cation in case of demurrers properly pro-
vided for.
Gen. Rirncy's Motion.
Gen. William Birney today made mo-
ton before Judge Bingham to proceed to
appoint jury under section 10 Of the high
way act to assess damages for property
taken in the extension of streets. This
afternoon Gen. Brney called upon the Com
missioners and urged them to cooperate
with them in having the case proceeded
with.
An Investigation.
Mr. +. s. Dodge. city engineer of Honolulu.
Hawaii, was at the District building today,
making inquiry as to streetrailroad charters.
franchises and what the railroads were
quired to do in the way of grades, keeping
the streets occupied by them in repair and
taxes paid.
A commission was appointed by the pres-
dent of the Hawaiian government to look
up matters of street railway franchises, so
rs to protect the government interests, ap-
plication having been made by parties for
permission to construct a trolley road in the
city of Honolulu.
A Protest.
Several gentlemen called upon the Com
nissioners this morning to protest against
the granting of a license to conduct pool
room opposite the Central High School. They
presented letter from Supervising Prlnc-
pal Lane, in which he opposed the license.
An investigation disclosed the fact that the
license was granted yesterday. The Com
missoners, however, will look further into
the matter and see what can be done.
Today's Orders.
The Commissioners today ordered:
That 1I5 feet Of twelve-nch sewer be
laid in the south side of H street northeast
from 18th street eastward, estimated cost
$50; chargeable to current appropriation
for main and pipe sewers.
That $40 feet of siX-inch water main be
laid in University place, between Euclid
and yelling, at an estimated cost of $306.
That a gutter basin be constructed in the
west side Of goth street near the Chesa-
peake and Ohio canal, estimated cost $50;
chargeable to current appropriation for
main and pipe sewers.
That a sewer be constructed in 9tn street
northeast between * and l. streets, under
the provisions of the permit system. at an
estimated cost of S1SG.
That twenty feet of the crossing al New
Jersey avenue and b street northwest be
replacing it with asphalt on four-inch con-
crete base, estimated cost 500; to be paid
out OF appropriation fer current repair to
streets, avenues and alleys.