Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-13
The Amendment in the District Ap-
preparation Bill to Be Withdrawn.
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITIZENS PROTEST.
New Light Thrown on the Ques-
ton Of Mr.. Ga!inger's Report.
OTHER DISTRICT MATTERS

1t is regarded highly probable that the
amendment inserted in the District appro-
priation bill by the Senate committee on ap-
propriations authorizing the Commissioners
| to permit the erection of poles for telephone
and other purposes outside the city of Wash
| ington will disappear from the bill before
that measure is finally approved by the Sem
| ate. Representations have been made by
| certain public-spirted citizens to several of
the Senators, and especially those in charge
| Of the bill, within the last day or two to
| show that this amendment in its present
form will permit the most indiscriminate te
strlnging of wires and erection of poles in
the suburban sections, and without grant
ing any protection from such nuisances to
| the residents of the comparatively thickly
| populated belt Immediately north of the city
! limits.
A delegation of citizens from Columbia
| Heights was at the Capitol yesterday after
| noon and again today, presenting these
| facts for the consideration of the subcom-
| mittee Oh the District bill in the Senate
and also certain other members of the up
per house, who are directly interested in
| local legislation. They received comfort
! ing assurances of cooperation and support,
and 1t Is understood that some of the Sem
ators to whom they explained the stua-
| ton declared that had they known of the
| true facts in the case before the bill was
reported from the committee this amend
Hent would not have been adopted.
new light is thrown on the entire ques-
| ton today by the submission of the minor
| ity report from the District committee by
senator Gallinger on the bill to authorize
| the extension of the lines of the Potomac
Electric Light Company. This report which
appears elsewhere in this afternoons Star
SHOWS that there has been 2 change of base
| on the part of the District Commissioners
Withn the past two years on the question
OF chartering rival companies to compete
| IN the local field with already existing cor
| porations, supplying light, gas, telephone
ana other service to the people of the Dis
| trict.
somewhat of sensation and /: is freely
sossiped this afternoon that the amend
| ment In the appropriation that has caused
| the presence at the Capitol of the CO.
| lumhia Heights citizens will soon he with
| drawn by the friends of the Potomac com
pany; at whose instance it was first pro-
posed and afterward adopted. 1t is now
understood that the District Commission
| els, when asked about this amendment
| by the members of the subcommittee. gave
! it their hearty approval, and that 4, was
upon their recommendation that il was in
serted in the bill
AZ all events. if the amendment is not
withdrawn, it will be savagely attacked in
the Senate. and the minority report on the
Potomac bill presented today will be made
the basis of the assault on this proposition
Mr.. Briggs Plan for ID Street.
Mrs. Olivia Briggs appeared before the
House District committee today to ask the
Intervention of Congress in behalf of the
residents of D street between 9th and
9TH streets southeast She said this street
is paved with rough cobblestoncs; that it
is little better than an alley, and property
| is deprecated by the condition of the
street. Mrs. Briggs said the residents have
been trying for twenty-four years to get
commissioners fn ha
Strenuous efforts have been maize recently,
but the Commissioners are obdurate in
their refusal to come to the relief of the
petitioners.
Il will pay over 81 900 in taxes this year"
said Mrs. Briggs, and yet I am only one
resident on the street, and there are MANY
finer houses than mine"
Mr.. Curtis asked what reason the Com
missioners give for failing to pave the
street.
Mrs. Briggs said they claim there are
too many other streets to be cared for and
that the residents of D street have man
aged to get along all these years with the
cobbleStoneS.
The committee listened sympathetically
to Mrs. Briggs plea. and promised to call
the matter to the attention of the Commits
sioners.
The Baltimore and WasI,inrtou
Transit Company.
Mr.. Winslow Williams Of Baltimore rep-
resenting the Baltimore and Washington
Transit Company, asked the reporting of
the bill authorizing that company to con-
struct one-third of mile. of track within
the District line. He said the road is build
ing to Burnt Mills and Sandy Springs, and
will enter Washington on the Brightwood
and Metropolitan tracks. 1t is necessary,
however, to build short distance in the
District to make the connection
The bill will be reported by the suhcon,
mittee to the full committee at the rext
regular meeting.
Mr.. BabcOck Has a Cold
Chairman Babcock Of the House District
committee is confined to his home Inv q
severe cold.
Guardians for Pensioners,
Senator PETER today called up the Senate
Dill providing for the appointment of COM
mittees or guardians for pensioners in the
District of Columbia. At his request the
measure was given immediate considera
llon, and after being amended so as to pro-
Elue Tor the compensa tion of the commit
tees or guardians at q rate not to exceed
per cent of the money handled, the bin
was passed without dissent.
Want Illinois Avenue Graded.
Senator Carter today presented petition
from certain citizers of the District of CO.
lumbia praying for the adoption of the
amendment to the District approximation
Dill Frovldlng $5,OOO for grading and reg
ulating Illinois avenue.
Days Of Grace Abolished
Senator Faulkner today called UP in the
Senate the House bill abolishing days of
grace in the District, and put it on its pas
sage. There was no objection and the bill
was adopted
Escorted the President.
The Star in its description of the parade
preceding the unveiling Of the Hancock