Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-02
DISTRICT APPROPRIATIONS.
Progress Made on the Bill i'm the Sem
ate Yesterday.


Senator Teller finished his speech on the
financial situation, using the District APP
preparation bill as text, shortly after
o'clock yesterday, and active consideration
of the bill was then resumed. A debate
was precipitated by Mr. Aldrich asking for
an explanation of the provision changing
the rate of compensation for gas and cleo
trio lighting in the city. Mr.. German explain
ed that the change made saving of $1,000
a year over the House bill. The Senate
| amendment, he declared, is merely the ex-
listing law, which the House sought to
change, and in doing SO made several pro-
visions that were not easy of enactment
Therefore it was thought wise to restore
the present law A question arose as to
the price of gas in the city, and Mr.. Harris
of the District committee stated that that
committee is about to take final action
upon the bill now pending before it pro-
vidng for cheaper gas furnished by the old
company and for new charter to be given
to company that offers to furnish gas to
the public at one-half present rate. In the
course of the debate on this subject Mr..
Chandler deprecated any legislation that
WOULD cause the,streets to be torn up and
the payements disturbed. He said that
Washington has the reputation OF having
the finest pavements in the country, if not
in the world. Mr.. Harris made a charac-
teristic reply in his peculiarly emphatic
way.
1T has the finest pavements in the
world he said. 1T has not the reputation
simply. but it has the pavements."
Il am Very glad" replied Mr.. Chandler,
''when any statement of mine is empha-
sized by the Senator from Tennessee. be-
cause then it is doubly correct and doubly
strong"
The gas and electric light amendments
We're then adopted, as was that which fol-
lowed. appropriating $4,000 for the con-
Struction of a new harbor boat.
The appropriation of 800 for the COM
pletion OF the Improvement of the Dale
carlia reservoir, the completion of which
is to be done under the supervision of Col.
George H. Elliot; Notwithstanding his re-
tirement, gave rise to a debate on the
necessity of this latter provision, to which
Nr. Chandler objected. Mr.. German COM
planned that while both Gen. Casey and
Col Elliot are anxious not to have work
imposed UPON them after their retirement,
it was thought better to have the work
they are now undertaking to go on to COM
pIetion under their direction. The amend
nent was finally modified by the addition
of these words: "And said officer shall be
allowed, until said completion, to pay and
allowance of officers of his grade on the
active list: and in case of the death of dis
ability of such officer, the work shall lie
completed under the direction and charge
of the chief Of engineers"
There was a good deal of talk ever the
provision for an investigation OF the prob
lem for the increase of the water supply.
and the amendment approprating 5000
for this purpose was finally adopted just
before the Senate adjourned with q single
amendment offered by Mr.. German, which
struck out from the items of the inquiry
these words: And the cost that would be
entailed upon the Chesapeake and Ohio
canal in raising its banks by reason of
such increased height of land" This was
in response to numerous criticisms especial
ly voiced by Mr.. Hale, to the effect that
the government should not worry about
the canal company in this connection.