The evening times., 1896-02-26
Hearing sd the Bill TO Erect a
Pubic Library.
PLAN oroaENERAL GREELY
He Advocated the Incorporation of
Two Amendments, One Involving
the Use of Private Collection in
Existence-COl. Gordon's Retire
ment-Other Local Measures.


hearing on the hill to establish public
library in this city. No action was taken
IN the executive session.
Gen. A. W. Greedy and 7. W. Moves made
arguments in favor OF the proposed library
and urged favorable action on the bill.
Gen. Greedy made brier opening speech,
In which he advocated the incorporation Of
two amendments He said that a body OF
citizens some time ago started a small
library. which now contains 4.100 vol
urnes. He desired that 1t should be stipu-
lated In the bill that when the public
library is established these volumes ehall
become a part OF 1t.
He also favored an amendment proyid-
ing that the assistant librarian before in
duction Into office shall be examined pro-
fessionally.
Mr.. Euyes, representing the library COM
mittee OF the Board OF Trade, spoke at
length. He said the bill has been indorsed
by the Board OF Trade, the Federation OF
Labor, the District Commissioners and
many citizens associations. The library is
desired as an adjunct to the educational
system of the District, and should be es-
tablished as unsupported institution
subject to municipal appropriation.
OPPOSED GEN. GREELY'S LPAN.
Mr.. Noyes opposed Gen. Greeiy's propo-
sition that the present private library should
be specifically mentioned in the bill be-
cause there would be other subscriptions
larger than the one turned in by the present
library.
In the course of his remarks Mr.. Noyes
emphasized the strong demand for the legis-
lation, coming from workingmen. In 1890
there were $4,000 men engaged in manu-
factures. and additional thousands en-
gagged in other enterprises. In behalf of
this great claim the establishment OF this
library is requested. The Federation OF
Labor has twice indorsed the proposition.
and recently memorializcd Congress on this
subject.
The general government, he said, was
alsointerested in this library, on the grounds
of economy. When established, and in
fun operations 1t will become a general
departmental library. The government
VIII be saved the expense of duplicating
the books proEided for the various Depart
ments. Its CREATION viii also cause the
taxpayers to share with the government
the support Of a departmental library.
Mr.. Tarsney, from the House CoInmittee
on Military Affairs, has favorahy re-
ported the bill tn retire Col. David Stewart
Gordon. the preseRt comma nder of Fort
Myer, with the rank OF brigadier general.
aa- THE ARMY BILL.
The army appropria atoms bill. as re-
ported by Senator Quay today, gives the
officer In charge of public buildings an ad-
ditionaI 81 900. II increases the House
appropriations by $4,000. the additional
81 500 going to- India prisoners.
The total increase over the last appro-
priation is S26.794. The provision in line
Z. page 2, that no pay shall hereafter be
retained. rs also stricken out Also the
amendment giving, commissioned Officers
Communication allowance when quarters
cannot be provided Is stricken out.
Mr.. Hoar introduced a bill in the Senate,
which was referred 10 the Judiciary Com
mittee, to make the pay of the chief
justice OF the Court of Claims Sc, 500
and OF assistant justices So 600 per annunI.
Mr.. Hale introduced a bill TO authorize
the appointment of Gen. o. o. Howard a
lieutenant general on the retired list. 1t
was referred to the Committee on Military
Affairs.
Mr.. Mcmillan In the Senate also present
ed petitions from eighty citizens along the
line of tie lexington street road urging
the passage of tue Senate bill requiring the
company TO adopt rapid transit and op
posing the extension OF the road till its
existing lines are modernIy equipped and
operated.
A petition from the Marine Engineers
Beneficial Association of the District was
presented by Mr.. Mcmillan in the Senate.
asking the passage of Senate bill No. 1242,
to improve the merchant marine engineer
service and to increase the efficiency of
the naval reserve by amending the stat
utes SO that coastIng and fishing vessels
Shall be deemed United States vessels ouly
when owned and commanded by American
citizens. The bill also exempts masters,
mates, pilots and engineers OF such YES
sells from draft in war.
Mr.. Huling has by request introduced in
the House bill appropriating $4,000
for grading, graveling and guttering Rhode
Island avenue northeast, from Fourth to
Twelfth streets northeast.
Mr.. Huling today, by request, introduced
in the House bill providing that any land
in the District, connecting with exist
ing streets, which may be donated by the
owners to the District for thoroughfares,
shall be graded, graveied and guttered at
the expense of the District, the improve
ments not to exceed the market value of
the land.
Mr.. stallings today introduced in the
House a bill repeating the highway act
Of 1898. and the Commissioners are di-
rected to withdraw at once all maps and
plats which they have filed in the District
surveyors office, and the cloud upon the
titles In real estate. or land caused by the
passage of the act shall be declared re-
moved. o4n
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