Evening star., 1896-01-21

In answer to q question, Mr.. Dodge
stated that the property in the city is
assessed at about IS to 75 percentum of Its
value, while. the syndicate property en-.
braced in the street extension plan is as
sessed at from one-third to one-sixtieth the
prices actually realized in sales.
listing sewers of the city. and denounced
the system as unsatisfactory.
Commissioners Truesdell Heard.
Commissioner Truesdell was then heard.
The opponents of the bill are divided. he
said, upon the Objectionable features. Some
think the street extension bill a rider on
the sewer bill, and others that the sewer
bill is rider on the street extension bill.
1t is in fact, purely q bill Of ways and
means. 1t is to carry out two provisions
of existing laws. One of them adopted
several years ago, cne of them to complete
the system of sewage disposal under the
plan proposed by Congress in 1889. Presi-
dent Harrison appointed the sanitary board
in accordance with the act. In July. 1880.
the report was submitted, Congress par
TALLY commenced the work proposed by
them and this act Is to carry 1t out.
Street Extension Necessary.
Mr.. Truesdell said the street extension
plan is necessary for carrying out the
sewer plans Wherever a trunk sewer is
to go 1t will be great waste of money to
dig down the bluffs and fill them up again
to wait until the street is opened at some
future day. The street should be opened
at once. In order to carry out the plan
for the city it is necessary to open the
streets In the suburbs.
Mr.. Truesdell reviewed the growth OF
the suburban subdivisions, forty-seven in
number, that do not conform to the plan OF
the city and in most cases do not conform
to each other. No system Of sewerage or
water, to any extent, has been provided.
and it has been evident to the authorities
to correct this practice OF opening subdi-
visions without regard to existing streets;
hence the recent law prohibiting it.
There is now a belt of subdivisions that
that zone and the city there are old sub
divisions that do not conform. It Is heces-
sary that this non-conforming section
should be made to conform, for the health
5000 in number. They are without sewers
and without water supply.
The result has been that during the four
months of last summer there were between
500 and 1000 cases of typhoid fever in the
District. The Commissioners felt 1t neces-
s&ry to investigate that condition, and the
report OF the sanitary experts indorsed
what the Medical Society stated to the
House committee last Congress- namely,
that typhoid fever, wholly a preventable
disease, is due to polluted water supply,
the result of no sewerage.
Federation of Labor Statement Denied
Mr.. Truesdeil denied the statement of the
Federation of Labor that this section COM
prises agricultural lands. 1t is assessed at
S23.0O00OO, has a population of 27,0O0. and
in 1894 there were building improvements
to the amount of 81 ,2OO,O 900.
The highway act was not passed in a
DAY. It was before Congress for two and
u half years. and numerous hearings we're
given. 1t is to be presumed that Congress
knew what 1t was about The act is man.
datory upon the Commissioners to carry
Jul the act. mandatory upon the court to
condemn the property, and the owners
should be paid for what is taken. If they
are not, the act will be a cloud upon the
title of that land
Suppose Congress should decide now to
abandon the whole matter as too expensive
to embark in? A city would grow up on
the outskirts of the national capital that
would be disgrace to the country. Sup
pose George Washington and his associates
had laid out city of half mile square
for the then necessities of the government
buildings? Would not it have been a piece
of monumental folly? But they had faith
in the country and their faith has BEEN
vindicated We are now in the same posi-
tion with the originators of the city's plan,
but we have more light than they had and
should act accordingly.
At this point Mr.. Truesdell was inter-
rupted by the arrival of the hour for ad-
journment, and the hearing came to an
: end. 1t is possible that another hearing
may be given.