Evening star., 1897-05-11
An Important Decision.

The Supreme Court havirg sustained the
highway extension act in every particular
noted in the decision handed down yes
terday. 1t only remains now for Congress
to pass the necessary appropriations or to
provide for the requisite bonds to carry the
provisions of this statute into effect. 1t
has been long delayed m its execution, but
the great Importance of the matter and the
enormous interests involved have in a large
measure justified the expenditure of time.
The affirmative result finally secured en-
phasizes the yalue of deliberation. The
courts opinion leaves nothing to be de-
sired in the way of Endorsement of the law.
Its constitutionality is upheld. the prin-
ciple of the assessment of benefits-upon
which the issue mainly rested-being main
taiLed by the court as entirely legal and
equitable. This probably ends all litigation
in the premises for there is now no appeal
from the decision and the next step is
execution.
The act itself places limit upon further
delays. In the 18th section 1t provides
that ''in case the court shall enter judg
ment of condemnation in any case. and
appropriation is not made by Congress for
the payment of such award within the
period of six months, Congress being in
session for that time after such award or
for the period of six months after the meet
ing of the rext session of Congress, the
proceedings shall be void and the land
shall revert to the owners" 1t is improb-
able that Congress will remain In session
under the present call later than midsum-
mer. 1t is assuredly unlikely that the
houses will be at work six months hence.
Therefore if nothing be done at the pres
ent session it is imperative that tine requi-
-,+
payment for these lands should be had at
the forthcoming session next winter, which
is practically certain to last more than
half year. Thus the matter lies between
these two sessions failing which the whole
done again.
In order to prevent such an unhappy
contingency it behooves the District COM
mitteeS of Congress, the Commissioners
and the citizens to begin at once to devise
ways and means for the accomplishment
of the purpose of the act. Justice Gray in
his decision notes the evident intention of
Congress that there should be no unnecss-
sary delays in enforcing the law, especially
with regard to the highways in existing
subdivisions. 1t therefore reverts to Con-
gres5 to demonstrate that the court was
correct in this Interpretation of its de-
sires. The time that must elapse before the
next session can be well spent in making in
quiries to the best and most economical
methods of making payment and perform
ing the work that the act requires to be
done There are two parts to this enter
prise, the condemnation of the land and
the actual laying out of the streets along
the new lines. Thus the undertaking now
to be accomplished Is of great proportions
and deserves the most careful considera-
ton-
No full estimate be made of the
advantages that will accrue to the District
and ultimately to all of its residents
through this decision. 1t means develop
nent along broad and wise lines, and with
intelligent execution 1t practically insures
that Washington will in a few years be-
come beyond any possible competition the
most magnificent city in the world.