Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-02

adequate sewerage system Tor nifty years,
and at the end Of that time the city would
have grown to such proportions that II
would be as badly OF as 1t Is now. A COM
plete sewer system Is one OF the things 1t
is hoped the next session Of Congress will
provide.
Reduced Telephone Rates.
Perhaps no phase of legislation during the
present session Of Congress has been OF
greater popular interest than the provision
of the District of Columbia appropriation
bill which provides for lowering Of tele-
phone rates in the District of Columbia.
This provision follows:
That from and after the passage of this
act 1T shall be unlawful for any person OF
any telephone company doing business in
the District of Columbia to charge or re-
ceive more than so par annum for the use
OF telephone on a separate wire; $40 for
each telephone, there being not more than
two on a wire; $50 for each telephone, there
being not mere than three on a wire, and
SO for each telephone, there being four or
more on the same wire"
The main question regarding this legisla-
ton is in respect to the way the provision
viii be carried out.
Street Sweeping.
During the coming year a test will be
made to show the relative value of machine
ard hand work under contract and hand
work by the municipality In doing the work
of street cleaning. OF the appropriation
for street sweeping $4,000 is to be used for
hand work in street sweeping without con-
tract and the accounts showing the ex-
penditure of this money are to be SO kept
as to show the per capita cost of hand
sweeping by day labor and under contract.
The superintendent of street sweeping be-
Heves he can pay men s1-25 a day instead
of 81, which is the rate given by contract
ors, and save money for the District in the
" a nc nj CT W. 49,
pertinent will be of great interest to labor
ing people here, as it may result in the Dis
trict eventually doing all its street sweep
ing by days labor.
Preservation of Fish and Game.
Sportsmen will be especially interested in
that provision of the District of Columbia
appropriation bill which gives $500 for the
enforcement of the game and fish laws of
the District of Columbia, to be expended
under the direction of the Commissioners.
Great difficulty has been experienced in
carrying out any game law in the past, but
with the assistance the Commissioners
small appropriation 1t Is thought greater
success Will be achieved In the future
Hospital for Minor Confessions Ds..
eases.
Washington has long felt the need Of
hospitals where minor contagious diseases
could be treated, but the great prejudice
people have entertained against having
SUCH hospitals located near their homes has
made 1t impossible. until lately, to secure
a location for them. Now Congress has an
Proprlated SSo,oO0 to construct such a build
ing on the grounds Of the Providence Hos
pltal and like amount for one on the
grounds OF Garfield Memorial Hospital In
each case 5000 is appropriated for furnish
ing and equlpping the buildings and an ex-
ira $1,000 is allowed for grading the
grounds at the Garfield Hospital. Each Of,
tne hospitals Is allowed 5000 for the years
maintenance of these buildings and 1t Is
provided that these hospitals shall receive
at any time such patients suffering from
minor contagious diseases as may be sent
10 them by the Commissioners of the Dis
trict of Columbia, at the request of the
health officer.
The Naval Battalion.
The session of Congress now drawing to
close has also placed the naval battalion
OF the District of Columbia on a footing
with other battalions throughout the coun-
try. The naval battalion of the District
mas been organized for about two years,
but the action Of Congress will give IT
facilities Tor advancement which 1t has
not enjoyed in the past.
Local Railway Bills.
Several important railroad bills have
been passed. which promise a great
Improvement in the railway facilities of the
District. Among these are the lexington
and Soldiers Home. the Belt, Columbia.
Washington and Glen Echo, Capital rail-
way and the East Washington Heights
Traction railway bills.
Inc lexington and Soldiers Home rail-
way bill requires that company to eouip
all its lines within the city limits with the
underground electric system within one
year The Columbia railway bill authorizes
that company to extend its line eastward
ly from 18th and H streets northeast to
Benning, thence by the race course and
other roads to the eastern corner of the
District The Washington and Glen Echo
Railroad Company has been allowed To
build Its tracks Coo feet within the District
OF columbia, and the Capital Railway Com
pany has been granted authority to use a
trolley for crossing the Anacostia bridge
instead OF horse power, which it has used
heretofore. The East Washington Heights
Traction Railway Company's bill gives that
company authority to build a road from
the western approach to the PENNSYLVANIA
avenue bridge across the Anacostia river
on trestle to be built by tht company and
along several routes east of the river. Con-
gress has also passed bill to compel street
railway companies to eaove abandoned
tracks; also the bill Incorporating the
Washington. Woodside and Forest Glen
Railroad and Power Company of Mont
gomery county. Md. and the act to vest
in the Commissioners the control of street
parking in the District of Columbia, the
latter being in the hands Of the President
The AnacOstfa Flats.
A public resolution passed by Congress
directs the Secretary of War to prepare a
project for the Improvement of the Ana
costa river and the reclamation of its fats
from the line of the District to the mouth
of the river. the danger to health from
the fats of the Anacostia has been pointed
out time and again by the medical associa-
ton OF the District of Columbia, the board
OF trade and other organizations. The su-
per1ntendent Of the government hospital
for the insane has made frequent complaint
about these flats. showing that their pres
ence has an important bearing upon the
health OF the people in the great institution
under his charge. Congress at its next ses-
sion can hardly fail to make some provision
for beginning the work Of their reciama-
ton. 1t has also been shown that the
value OF the land owned by the government
to be reclaimed will more than equal the
cost of the improvement and will form a
splendid public park, which is greatly need
ed in the eastern section Of the District
Miscellaneous Acts.
There were passed also a number Of mis-
ceilaneous bills. Acts were passed punish
ing the carrying Of concealed weapons,
regulating the disposal of certain refuse,
for the regulation Of cemeteries and the