Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-01
Further Debate on the District Ap-
preparation Bill.
PRICE OF GAS AND ELECTRIC LIGHT
Provision for Flags on All the
School Houses.
OTHER SUBJECTS DISCUSSED

At 1855 O'Clock the House resolved Itself
into a committee Of the whole for the con-
siieration of the District appropriation bill.
Mr.. Grout referred to remarks that had
been made yesterday afternoon when a mo-
tlon was made to strike out the words
that the entire service of electric lighting
authorized under this appropriation shall
be let, after due advertisement to the low
est responsible bidder therefor" He said
that that provision had been characterized
as a smoke as it would be called in the
pennsylvania legislature, and he wished
to say that the real effect of that provision
would be to give the District its electric
lighting service for one-half of the amount
IL now pays. A vote being taken on mo-
ton to strike out the above provision, the
motion was lost.
Gas for s5 Cents Per Thousand
Mr.. Dockery offered amendment, pro-
viding that the Washington Gaslight Com
pany and all other gaslight companies do
ing business in the District of Columbia
shall not charge over 75 cents per / 900 feet
for gas furnished the government or other
consumers, and that in case gas bills are not
paid within ten days after the first of each
month the charge to the private consumers
shall not be more than 81 per 1000 cubic
feet. The amendment was agreed to.
Mr.. Grout offered motion providing that
TO contract shall be made for gaslighting at
| price to exceed the rate hereinbefore speci-
fed" Mr.. Grout thought the provision that
rot more than SIG per street lamp should be
charged was sufficient, but offered the above
amendment to satisfy members who thought
the provision should be more specific. The
amendment was agreed to-
An Amendment RuIed Out.
Mr.. Baker moved that the following pro-
vision be ruled out as opposed to existing
law:
That in case such lowest responsible
bidder be not provided with an UNDER
ground system of wires and conduits in the
streets and other places covered by such
service the Commissioners of the District
OF Columbia may, under such reasonable
conditions as they may prescribe, author
ize such bidder TO lay down an approved
system OF underground conduits and wires
for electric lighting in and along such
streets and other public places as may I've
necessary for said Service, such privilege
AS may be granted hereunder to be reyoca-
bic at the will Of Congress, without COM
pensation."
Mr.. Pitney made long argument in
favor of retaining the above provision IN
the bill, but il was ruled out
Reduced Price for Electric Light.
An amendment was offered by Mr.. Grout
providing that no electric company in the
District Of Columbia should charge more
than 40 per cent of its prices on January
i, 1896, for arc or incandescent electric
lighting in the District. The amendment
was agreed to.
Flags on school Houses
Mr.. Chas. w. Store of Pennsylvania Of
fered the following amendment:
For the purpose of purchasing a sufficient
number of United States flags to place one
on every public school house in the District
Of Columbia, to be exhibited on all school
days during school tours, the sum of 81 900
is appropriated, TO be expended by tho
school trustees of the District of Columbia
| to be immcdi; tely available"
Mr.. Cannon spoke at some length on the
question of purchasing flags, and said that
if such action would inspire the rising gen
Grafton with patriotism he would favor the
appropriation.
Mr.. Stone said the action IT was now de-
sired to ts Ike in the District of Columbia
was similar to action that had been taken
in many states.
Mr.. Richardson remarked that when Mr..
Harrison vas President he issued an order
to have United States flags placed on all
the public buildings in Washington, and he
wanted to know if that order did not in
clude the school houses.
Mr.. Store replied that he understood the
order referred TO did not
Mr.. CaLion wanted to know how many
school houses are now provided with flags.
Mr.. Stone did not know. The schools
which older scholars atte nded were, he be-
heved generally provided with flags. but
the schools made up of younger children
were without flags.
MIR. Wheeler of Alabama and Mr. WASH
ington of Tennessee both advocated max
ing the appropriation.
Mr.. Grout advocated the appropriation.
MIR. Livingston inquired of Mr.. Grout
whether he thought a flag over a school
house inspired the scholars with patriotism.
Mr.. Grout answered Il do"
Then, why" inquired Mr.. Livingston,
did the gentleman from Alabama, Mr.
Wheeler, who educated under the nag
at West Point, go into the confederacy an
IS6I?"
oh" said Mr.. Wheeler, quickly coming
to his feet at this allusion to his course,
'.but I've come back now"
Mr. Stone then modified his amendment
to make it appropriate "S1 900 or so much
as may be required to provide the FLAGS.
and with that change the amendment was