The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1896-06-11
DISTRICT BILL AGREED TO
Charities and Lighting Arranged
to Suit Both Houses.
In THE PRESIDENTS HANDS
appropriations for Hospitals VIII Re-
and Then Cease-Electric Light
Question Also Settled by Com
promlse-Provisio as Passed.

The last legislative action III the House
yesterday prior TO the adoption OF resO-
luton providing for final adjournment was
the final agre ement to the last conference
report on the District appropriation bin,
which was later in tie evening sent to the
President for his approval.
The bill has been the victim of many
vicissitudes and productive of much tur-
moil. In addition to achieving the distinc-
ton of being the first great appropriation
bill to be defeated on q yea and nay vote
since the war, it has been the theme OF
more discussion and debate than all the
other bills OF a similar character combined.
The subject of charities was determined
by allowing the distribution of funds to be
made for the ensuing year as heretofore.
with a proviso that after June 80, 1897,
all government ntal assistance shall cease.
There is a wide diversity of opinion re-
garding the force of this proviso, some hold
ing that it is in no degree binding upon
the next Congress, while others maintain
that it will have the full force aud effect
of separately enacted statute.
ELECTRIC LIGHT QUESTION.
The electric lighting question is deferred,
the Potomac Electric Light and Power
Company being given an eight months
lease OF life, and the United States Com
pany authorized TO make certain extensions
within the city under regulations TO be
prescribed by the Commissioners.
The proviso agreed to in alloting money
TO hospitals and orphanages, as heretofore,
is as follows
And it is hereby declared 10 be the policy
of the government of the United States TO
make no appropriation OF money or prop
prt for tho ulirppSp uf fDun6ipp maintain
ing, or aiding by payment for services, eX-
penseS or otherwise, any church or religious
denomination or any institution or society
which is under Sectarian or ecclesiastical
control; and 1t is hereby enacted that from
and after the 30th day of June, S9T no
money appropriated for charitable purposes
in the District OF Columbia shall be paid TO
any church or religious Denomination or to
any institution or soclet7 which is under
sectarian or ccclesiast a. control
The Senate amendment creating Il com
Tnittee to investigate the general question
of municipal charities and ascertain whether
suitable arrangements can be made with
institutions now existing 10 care for desti-
tutc and helpless children, was agreed TO
with the Following cxtenSio:
within the limitations Of the policy here
inbefore declared; and If not the probable
expense OF providing and maintaining pub
lie institutions for such purpose"
TO SIT DURING RECESS.
The following is also added:
''Said committee is authorized to sit dur
ing the recess; and the necessary expenses
of the committee, including clerical and
Stenngraphic work, shall be paid out OF
the contingent funds OF the Senate aud
House jointly, on the certificate of the
chairman OF the committee"
In presenting the final conference report,
Mr.. GrOut made an Interesting statement
as to the comparative character and merit
of the bill which will today become a
law.
Mr.. Grout was given the closest atten-
ton and spoke in part as follows:
This is the fourth report that the con-
ferees on this bill have submitted; and the
House will he glad to learn that wehave at
last fully agreed. / Vol occupy but a
| minute or two in giving a summary OF
figures, showing what has been done
III the bill:
The bill as originally agreed upon ap-
propriates S5,905,o S2.4S, being an in
crease over the current appropriations OF
$3.50. .639.23, and S359, ,40391 over the
appropriations for the preceding fiscal year
OF 1895.
PROVISIONS OF THE ACT
For paving streets the appropriations
amount TO SIC $500, an increase OF
$4,000.
For constructing country roads the
appropriations are $50, 800, an increase OF
| S25. 900.
For sewers the appropriations ar
S3T6,0 200, an increase OF S44,7O0: and
authority is given to contract for SIS 900
more.
For public schools the appropriation are
81, ,193,156, including authority to con-
tract for completion of certain school build
ings. an increase OF $50, 440 over current
law: provision being made for four new
| school buildings, including a high school
| building in Georgetown: for the recon
| struction OF three old buildings and the
| enlargement of another.
AN increas Sc OF fifty privates in the metro
poltan police is authorized, twice what has
| ever been authorized heretofore in any sin
| gle appropriation bill
The fire department is Increased by pro
! vision for two new engine houses, engines
| therefor and for a new hook and ladder
| truck
For lighting streets with gas a reduc
| ton is made from $50 90 per lamp to $50
| and an increase in the service is required
| from the moonlight" schedule of 3,OCC
hours per annum to an all-night schedule oil
| 3,762 hours per annum, and about ST, SOC
| is given for extension of the service.
REDUCTION IN LIGHTS.
''If this be reckoned according to the ole
| schedule there isa reduction ofaboat ST ,00O
more in the cost Of lighting by gas.
| For lighting streets with electricity
| reduction is made in the limit of cost from
| 40 cents to 80 cents per lamp per nigbt-a
reduction, as will be seen, OF 20 cents In
| the cost OF lighting by electricity Aud
| new service is provided for to the amount
| of 81 900, or thereabout."
Mr. r.Pitney-ACcordiugto to Misunderstanding
| Of the bill, as we have agreed upon it IL
| conference the effect Of he gas lighting
| provision is to reduce the price Of gas fol
| public lighting to So cents per thousand.
| Mr.. Grout-I should have stated in passing
| that while the bill which the two Houses
| recently agreed upon and which has been
| approved by the President reduces the cost
| of gas 25 per cent to private consumers
| and to the government, where used at the
meter-tiIat is, in the public buildings-it
did not touch the subject of gas in the
| public streets. Your conferees insisted
| that there should be in this branch of the
service a corresponding reduction and they
| struggled long and manfully for that re
| duction, but were unable to carry q re.
| duction to that extent. They did, how.