Evening star., 1897-01-20
DISTRICT.I I'M CONGRESS
House Committee Considering the General
Subway Question.

Mr.. Jacob Hess, president of the board of
subway commissioners of New York ap-
peared this afternoon before the subcom-
mittee on subways of the House District
committee and gave some expert testimony
relative to the subway system of New
York. Mr.. Hess told in detail the growth
and extent of the subway system. His evf-
dence was taken by a stenographer, and,
while it was largely Of a technical char
acter, will form part of the report of the
special subway committee when it is made
to the full committee and to the House.
Mr. OdeIl of New York has returned to
the city, and said today that the subcom-
mittee would proceed at once upon the
preparation of a proposed general plan of
subways for Washington. He hoped that
the committee would be able to make a
report and pass a bill at this session of
Congress.
To illuminate Public Buildings.
amendment he will propose to the sundry
civil DILL, providing for an illumination Of
the federal buildings in the city on the
such other days as may be designated by
the proper authority for patriotic celebra-
tions.
To Remove Abandoned Tracks.
Senator Mcmillan has introduced in the
Senate a bill to compel street railway COM
panies in the District to remove abandoned
tracks The bill provides that whenever
the tracks of a street railway company
have not been used in three months the
Commissioners may notify the company
to remove the tracks and place the street
in good condition. Failure to comply
makes the president of the company liable
to fine of So for each day during which
the tracks remain. If the company fails
to repair the street. after notice from the
Engineer Commissioner, it Is liable to
fine of So for each day.
Hearing ON the Morse Bill.
The Senate committee on the District of
Columbia has decided to give a hearing on
the Morse liquor bill at 2 o'clock tomorrow
afternoon.
The TtseIfth Census.
A bill providfifg for taking the twelfth
census of the Gpitea States under the di-
rection of Carroll D, Wright, the chief of
the bureau of labor has been introduced
in the House by Representative Sayers of
Texas. The bih fixss Col. Wrights SAL
ary at $4,000; provides for an assistant
commissioner of labor, salarfed, at 81 LOCO
who is to be aneXpert statistician and for
an increase of thetI clerical force of the
bureau. II QlRecUS tnS commissioner of
labor to report to Congress in July, $780,. a
plan for the twe3fthlnensus and carries an
appropriation of $4,000 for preliminary ex-
penSes.
InstrucsorsHof the Deaf.
The Senate has passed House bill No
6ss3. to incorporate the convention of
American instructors Of the deaf. of which
Edward NJ Gallaudet Of this city is an
incorporation.
Proposed Supreme Court Building site
Mr.. w. c. Dodge. Mr.. N. G. Ordway. Mr..
F. J.tsDisadonne and Mr.. w. "a. Croffut.
representing property owners in the square
north of the Congressional Library. lodged
a petition today with the House COMMITTEES
on public buildings and grounds respecting
the proposed condemnation of property In
that square for United States Supreme
Court building The petitioners ask that
Congress settle the uncertainty by either
purchasing the property at the market
price or by declaring that the government
does not want the square. The petitioners
claim that the recurring agitation of the
proposed use Of the property for govern
ment purposes tends to depreciate the land
in the market.