Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-12


tee on streets and avenues urges the I'M
portance oi securing appropriations to meet
damages under condemnation proceedings,
under The street extension act, expressing
the opinion that without such appropria-
tions the street extension act will be not
only OF no benefit. but positive INJURY 10
the District.
The committee on taxation and assessment
referring to the need of more time for COM
pleting the new assessment, recommend as
the best way to meet the situation that the
taxes on basis of the new assessment Tor
Washington and Georgetown shall be pay
able as usual in two instailnents, Novem-
Der, 1896, and May, 1897. and that Inc
county taxes shall be payable IN one in
stallment in May 1897. and that the board
of trade by resolution approve this plan
of assessors has performed Its duties IN
particularly energetic manner. and that the
new assessment when completed viii be me
most accurate ever made in This District,
and the wisdom of the creation Of this per-
manent board will be fully established
The committee recommends further that
the duties of an excise board be taken
from the board Of asSe sSorS.
The committee on universities submits
brief report Transmitting communications
from the several UNIVERSITIES Of the Dis
trict. giving full and valuable Information
relative to their organization, methods and
work including plan in outline Of The pro-
posed National University.
The committee on water supply after re-
ferring 10 the work Of raising the dam and
testing the Lydecker tunnel expresses the
opinion that. in the interest of public health
and convenience. water should be furnished
free to the inhabitants of the District. the
expenses of the water department to be paid
out of the general appropriation for the sup
port of the local government.
The committee on railroads urgently rec
Commends that action be taken by the board
of trade looking toward the abolition at the
earliest possible date of all grade crossings
of steam railroads in the District of Column
bia.
The committee on transportation is con-
WINGED, however, that 1t is absolutely neces-
sary that measures be taken to provide bet
ter freight and terminal facilities at an early
day looking to the future needs of the city.
The committee on public library has APP
Ereciated the Importance of its Duties and
6ndeavored in every way to secure to the
national capital free library for the use of
Its people. Although not yet successful. it
has undoubtedly planted seed which will in
the near future return an abundant harvest
for the public good.
Mr.. Warmers report gave also summary
of progress made by the special committees
to urge the extension of the civil service law
to the offices of the District government: the
legal committee to secure the enactment of
ode of laws for the District the committee
TO secure action by Gov. O'Ferrall of Vir
glnia looking to the suppression of gambling
the committees on public schools, gas and
ELECTRIC light and telephone rates.
Alexandria County.
AS to the committee to see Gov OFerrall,
the repor. said:
A subcommittee waited upon Gov. OFer-
rail- at the executive mansion in Richmond,
who promised his cordial and entire support
in the suppression of the lawlessness and
disorder which We're resulting in the de-
n'oralzation of the young men. not only of
the District of Columbia, but of many of the
citizens of his own commonwealth well.
He has since commenced a vigorous war
fare. which. it is hoped. will greatly improve,
il not entirely remedy. the disgraceful con-
dition of affairs in the locality referred to.
The legislature OF Virginia will undoubtedly
al an early day so amend the laws OF that
commonwealth as to deal Summariiy with
all race tracks not organized and conducted
for the purpose of improving the breed of
horse flesh and the furnishing what is
known as legitimate amusement not founded
upon betting. This committee has expended
q great deal of time and labor in the per-
Torrance of its duties, with the aid of the
police authorities, employed detectives, who
visited many OF the places which We're con-
Quoted in violation of the law. and thus OBJ
tanned evidence upon which Indictments
We're found by the grand jury.
Important Measures.
Mr.. Warmers report continued: lone Of
the most prominent and necessary meas
providing for the extension of sewers and
highways. under the general highway act.
Every effort was made to secure favor
able consideration OF this measure. as 1t
was deemed of paramount Importance. and
in this connection the committee on public
health rendered most valuable service, its
chairman and several Of its members re-
spending to frequent invitations to publicly
explain the reasons for the urgency Of
speedy and favorable action by Congress.
Unquestionably, the general provisions of
this bill are Endorsed by a very large ma
jcrity of the people, and especially of the
wealthy taxpayers. who are deeply inter-
eSted in securing favorable action thereon
at as early day as possible. The high
character and scientific attainments Of the
committee on public health entitle their
statements to the entire confidence and
most serious consideration. not only of
the community, but also Of those on whom
We must depend for the enactment of laws
which will render possible the improve
ments requisite to health and comfort.
THE committee on water supply was
largely Instrumental in securing the ap-
preparations necessary for the raising Of
the lam at Great Falls and the testing of
what is known as the tunnel. with view
to ascertaining whether or not 1t could be
made available for the purposes originally
intended
1.-The policy of the board of trade regard
ing grade crossings has been strenuously
adhered to, and every opportunity taken to
urge their abolition. but SO far without
success.
TT is also a matter Of extreme regret
that no improvements have been made in
the terminal facilities in any of the rail-
roads coming into the District Of Column
bia. The reasons given for delay have been
the general depression of business and the
great demand for improvements elsewhere
In justice to Washington some provision
should be speedily made looking to the
comfort Of the hundreds Of thousands of
visitors who annually come to the national
capital from all sections Of. the country
and whose representatives in Congress an
Eually fail to enact legislation which shall
compel the erection of stations commensu-
rate with the growth. dignity, and beauty
of the city, and also the providing of such
facilities for the handling of freight as
will be adequate to the commercial advaI-
tages of our people. 1t IS suggested that If
the changes involved in the abolition of
grade crossings and the providing of proper
terminal facilities demand expenditures of
such magnitude as to be unjust to the rail-
roads. an appropriation from public money
In aid of the necessary improvements very
properly may be made. as has been done
In Philadelphia and elsewhere.
~ resolution was adopted by the board
conmending the observation of Washing
tons birthday by the schools of the Dis
trict This is considered to be an important
step In the cultivation of Il patriotic SEN