The times., 1898-06-28

amended so as to substitute s.. 900 for $50
900 as the appropriation. This was in
keeping with the previously declared poll
cy TO retain in Congress the power to
finally pass upon all awards for the
opening and extension of streets. AS a
striking illustration of the degree of in
terest manifested by the House in District
legislation ii is fair to record that this
amendment was adopted by a vote of 8
ayes to noes.
Mr. Mudd protested against putting the
entire expense on the District. He con-
tended that the organic law required the
general burden to be borne equally by the
United States and the District and he in
sisted upon complying with that law. He
also protested against the policy of ex-
pending all public money for improve
ments in one section of the city He
wanted some money expended in the
southern and southeastern sections of the
city. He had not introduced any bill for
the southern portions of the District be-
cause 1t would not be considered More
than that, he could get nothing from the
District commissioners. They were Sc
lected by agencies entirely interested in
the northwest section Of the city and
were wholly committed to these infiuen-
ces. Mr.. Mudd declared that spectators
and kindred interests welded the infiu-
| ence necessary to control the District
Nc-pAiAoolDltIo anu duueQ lndI tnerE WAS
no possible hope of getting any recon-
mendation from them in behalf of the
southern and southwestern sections of the
District He had published In the Rec
| ord table showing the amounts expend-
| ed on streets roads. etc. and where those
| sums had been expended. The table
showed that a very small proportion of
| the money had been expended except in
| the northwest.
/ In reply to a question Mr.. Mudd said
| he did not intend to reflect upon the Dis
trict Committee: he had said that the
commissioners We're appointed at the
| instance of residents Of one portion of
the city and that they were amendable
! to those agencies and 10 none others
The bill amended was then passed.
| Mr.. Mudd. who is member of the Dis
/ trict Committee. was severe III his crit
| icism of the policy of the commissioners
| in devoting. as he claimed. all their at
| tention and comforting all their favors
upon a single section of the city
The next and the last bill called up for
the day was the substitute for the Senate
bill to acquire by condemnation land and
water rights at the Great Falls of the
| Potomac.
Mr.. Pitney wanted TO send the bill over
to the next session of Congress but Mr.
| Babcock. insisted upon an immediate con-
sideration.
1t was manifest from the outset that
the bill could not be passed in the alb
sence of a quorum. for Mr.. Pitney. with
the sanction of other members, served
notice that he would make the point of
no quorum.
The long and rather tedious debate in
dicated that there would have been little
or no obstruction offered the bill had the
provision contemplating the use of the
water power at Great Falls for an electric
plant to supply light 20 the city of Wash
| ington been eliminated
Mr.. King of Utah delivered an able and
unanswerable argument i'll favor of the
bill. He quoted from the reports of al
| the authorities that have ever 1nVestl-
| gated the subject to show that they al
agreed in the opinion that the United
| States should acquire entire and absolute
control and possession of the water power
at Great Falls. Gems. Casey and Craig
hill. Col Elliott Capt. Gallard, other en-
! gineer officers and all the District com
missioners were quoted on this point
Mr. King read from the records TO SHOW
that suits have been instituted agains
the Government 10 obtain damages ever!
time the water facilities have been ex
tended. These suits aggregate about $500.
900 and he contended that the Governmen
ought. by prompt and decisive action, t
4 | clear them out of the way and TO proVid
: for unlimited water supply in the future
without being harassed by the alega
| ton of joint ownership.
The only plea Mr.. Pitney could set u
in response to the strong argument of MI
King was that the water supply was am
ply sufficient for the present and that b
rigid economy, by. reducing the supply I
basis of forty gallons per capita pc
day 1t would be sufficient for some tim
| TO come.
Mr. Mudd set up the startling plea tina
| Maryland still owns the Great Falls, wit
all the land and water right appertainin
thereto.
After a fruitless debate of nearly tw
: hours the House adjourned without TAX
u ing any action on the bill. 1t will go owe
until next session.