The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1896-01-29
DISTRICT IN CONGRESS
Senator Mcmillan Will Push the
Municipal Building Plan.
PRESENT BILL AMENDMENT
He VIII Ask Congress to Appoint IA
Commission to Pass Upon the Prof.
ect-lydecker Tunnel Favored for
the Increase of the Water supply
Ma,,ons File Protest.

Senator Mcmillan intends 10 inject some
life into the new municipal building
scheme.
The Senate District Committee has lost
all interest i'll the matter. They think the
plans row iefore them make such Il mon
strosity that they had rot tie heart 10 go
ahead. This is in the face or Tie fact that
the District Commissioners have approved
them.
Yesterday Senator Mcmillan sent to
| Baltimore 70 Information concerning that
city's new public building. He has been
much interested i'll the reports OF its prog
ress and finds THAT the architectural de-
signs were presented TO commission.
| He Intends, after full study of the sub
| jet, to offer an amendment To The present
| bill. 1t will provide for the selection of
| a commission of competent gentlemen, who
| are to pass ON plans. In this way, he
| thinks the best results tan he secured.
THE WATER SUPPLY.
| Mr. Mcmillan has also been in communca.
ton with the War Department about the
water supply. He finds the general opin-
ion is that the cheapest and best way Ia Sc
cure larger supply of water is To- utilize
the Lydecker tunnel. The department al
ready has settling basins. Further infor-
nation will be sought.
| A number of eli liens have called on him
| in reference Ia the lowering of the tracks
| of the Baltimore and Potomac railroad.
| Officials of the road have not called on
him yet. While Mr.. Mcmillan has re-
ceiyed no report on the subject, he esti-
| ties the cost to the IA abroad will be bout
81, OO0,O 900. The share of the District
| will he much smaller.
This committee has about decided that
the Capitol Traction Company must fly
| If il intends to get into the city from the
| county. The War Department passing ad-
| versely on the bill for new bridge over the
Eastern Branch has killed their last chance.
A rough estimate OF the weight of cars has
| caused the committee TO believe that it
| would be unsafe to use the Anacostia bridge
| for an electric railroad.
| Mr.. Mcmillan introduced in the Senate to-
| day an amendment to the act approved
| July 10. $50, entitled, An act to increase
the water supply of the city of Washington
The measure provides that the Attorney
General and the Secretary of War he au-
| thorized 10 obtain title for the United
| States. by right Of eminent domain or other
| wise, to all water rights at and in the
! vicinity Of Great Falls on the Potomac
river, the water so taken to be used for
any and all public purposes. and also
| such land as may be necessary.
II further provides that within nine
months after the approval of this act the
Secretary of War and Attorney General
i shall make a written statement of such
In nds necpsSary for q CARVING
| of this act, and copies shall be filed in the
offices Of the register OF deeds OF the Die
| trict of Columbia. the county of Fairfax.
Va, and county of Montgomery. Md. Such
filing shall be a taking for the United States
by right of eminent domain of the lands and
waters specified and of the water rights
appertaining thereto.
IN CASE OF A PROTEST. H.
The bill provides that any claim for dam
ages which may he agreed on by the above
officials and any land owner certificates
shall be given. II there is a contest the
Secretary of War and Attorney General
may appoint three commissioners TO APP
praise the value Of the land and of the wa
ter and water rights taken and of dam
ages arising therefrom.
1t further provides that any person or
seizure OF by raising of the dam may with
in six months OF the first publication of
the statement provided for above, and
not afterward. institute suit against the
United States in the Court of Claims. The
court is authorized 10 appoint three per-
sons. Of whom two shall be skilled in by
draulic engineering. to determine as a
board OF referee all controverted ques-
,,r ind
Gates that may be issued for damages under
this act shall be paid by the Secretary of
the Treasury as Judgments rendered by the
Court OF Claims against the District of Co.
lumbia are now paid.
George Gibson, deputy for the District of
Columbia under the Supreme Council for the
United States of America, has sent to Mr.
Mcmillan five reasons against the estab-
lishment of the Scottish Rite of the Southern
Jurisdiction. They are:
The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
is already Incorporated in the District.
The organization seeking Incorporation
is an autocratic power. and its form of gov
ernment is inilnical to American citizens.
Its Officers hold their positions for life.
1.-The body has no right to the name, An
Gent and Accepted Scottish Rite The
title belongs to the successor of the Supreme
Council for the Northern Hemisphere.
1.-The title, Mother Supreme Council of
the World is usurpation; the organization
using it was not recognized by any power
in the world as late as 1865.
1.-The Supreme Council for the United
States ofAmerica, OF which Gen. La Fayette
and others were members, is the lawful
council for our country"