Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-12
DISTRICT AFFAIRS
Commissioners Considering Putting
All Electric Wires Underground.
CONDITION OF TEE CONTROVERSY
Revised Plan for Transfers Between
City Roads.
O T II E r LOCAL NOTE S

There Is proposition now before the
Commissioners to compel the United States
Electric Lighting Company to put under
ground all its overhead wires after a GER
tain time.
This proposition. it is understood, has
the concurrence of all the Commissioners,
and an order will shortly be passed with
this in view.
How the Commissioners hope to accom-
plish this is not known. The United States
Electric Lighting Company has maintained
all along that it did not have sufficient
room In its conduits to accommodate the
overhead wires, and has recently asked
permission to lay additional conduits along
the south side Of street between 7th and
18th in order to bury it's overhead wires.
This permit, however was refused by the
Commissioners, although the attorney for
the District advised them that they had a
perfect right to grant such permission.
|. Question of Transfers.
The Commissioners devoted a large por-
ton Of the day to the consideration of the
bill providing free transfers ON all inter-
secting street car lines in the District of
Columbia.
1t has been unanimously agreed by the
Commissioners not to report the original
bill, but to submit a substitute embodying
their views This bill differs from the orig
inal in that transfers are not insisted upon
where city road intersects with a SUBJ
urban road. Transfers. however, are pro-
vidad between all the prfcipal roads at
points where it is deemed advisable. Pro-
vision Is made in this connection, IT is
understood, for transfer at 18th and 18th
streets from the Columbia and lexington
TO the Metropolitan and Capital Traction
railroads. The Commissioners, IT is be-
lieved, will recommend transfers at these
points upon the payment of q cash fare
and the issuance of transfer that is to
be redeemed by the company for a small
consideration.
Excise Board.
The excise board today granted a trans
fer liquor license to Daniel Doody. 1126 eth
street northwest, and refused transfer
liquor license to Alex. A Raff, S01 D street
northwest.
Market Hearing Postponed.
The hearing which was to have been
given this morning to the Market Com
pany in advocacy Of the first bill for the
establishment Of a farmers market on the
site of the old wholesale market has been
postponed until next Tuesday at IL o'clock.
Governor Ordway wrote the Commissioners
that 1t was impossible for the farmers who
were In favor of the bill to get to the
Increase of Rents.
In accordance with q previous arrange
ment, the Commissioners have recon-
mended to Congress an increase of s. 600 in
the rent of the District building, making
the annual rental $4,000 The Commits
sioners inclose a letter from the National
Capital Investment Company concerning
the matter.
Dismissed From Service.
Private Edward Douglass OF the fire de-
partment has been dismissed from the ser
vice, having been physically incapacitated.
Dependent People.
The municipal lodging house was taxed
to Its utmost capacity last night, and was
forced to turn many applicants for shelter
away. The report this morning shows that
eighty-e!ght dependent people We're cared
for at the institution last night.
For Warehouse Purposes.
Relative to the inquiry of Senator McMil-
Ian concerning the use of churches for
| warehouse purposes in the District, the
Commissioners have forwarded a copy of
the report Of the building inspector upon
the subject, in which he states that he
knows of but one church used for that pur-
pose, and that is now being remodeled.
Water Main Assessments.
The Commissioners have recommended
favorable action upon House bill 1919,
which has for its object the reassessment
of water main taxes in the District of Co.
lumbia. Several minor amendments are
offered, and the proposed amendment Of
fered by Messrs. Birney and S. j. Fague is
disapproved. They say the bill as it passed
the House Is very necessary to enable the
water department to collect the water main
assessments due, and which may be set
aside for mere technicalities in the levying
of these taxes. Continuing, they say: 1.-THE
water rents in the District of Columbia are
extremely low, and not sufficient for the
maintenance and extension of the water
system. Unless the water main assess
ments can b. secured to the water depart-
| ment. it will be necessary to increase the
water rents, or provide for part of the ex-
penses of the water department from the
general revenues. 1t will be very unjust to
increase the water rents, now practically
wholly derived from property that has paid
Its water taxes, in order to provide for the
expense of laying mains to property thai
has paid no water taxes. The only re-
source then would be an appropria lion
from the general revenues"
II the water main assessment law is a
valid one. the Commissioners think 1t
should be enforced.