Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-25
THE DISTRICT BILL
Partial Conference Report Made to
the Senate.
HOUSE AMEEDMENfs REJECTED
Free Public Library and Local
Charities.
ELECTRIC WIRE CONDUITS

The partial conference report on the Dis
trict of Columbia appropriation bill, which
was acted on in the House earlier in the
terday afternoon.
The House amendment to the provision
for free public library was rejected. this
provision being thrown into conference
again.
The action of the Senate sustained the
provision of the bill in relation to over
head wires 1t originally passed the
House. the Pitney and the Senate commit
tee amendment relating to conduits and
overhead wires being rejected and aband-
ored.
The provisions in relation to charities in
the District of Columbia were sent to an
other conference.
The Public Library Amendment
Mr.. Allison explained that the purpose of
the House amendment to the Senate amend
ment apprcpriating $3.50 for a free public
library was to legislate as to compel the
several heads of departments to turn over
or loan to this municipal library all the
books that are not necessary for immedi-
ate use in the several departments. which
ne thought was a sweeping provision that
ought not to be agreed to in conference
report. He moved that the Senate diagree
to that amendment.
Senator Jones of Arkansas said he hoped
that the motion of the senator from Iowa
would prevail by such an emphatic vote
that 1t would be understood that the SEN
ate meant what 1t said.
The motion was agreed to unanimously.
Electric Light Conduits.
The PitEey amendment, relating to con-
duits in the District of Columbia, was then
taken up. Mr.. Faulkner said that was a
subject over which the committee on the
District of Columbia has been working for
several years, and 1t was a matter which
was brought to the attention OF the con-
ferees without ever having been before the
Senate at all for its consideration.
Mr.. Allison moved that the Senate dis
agree to the House amendment, and In
order that the two houses might reach
conclusion and be more nearly together on
that subject he said the Senate confereeS
recommended that the Senate recede from
its amendments relating to the subject of
electric lighting, leaving the provision re-
lating to electric lighting as it originally
PASSED the House.
Mr.. Allison explained, in reply to a ques-
ton by Mr.. Lodge. that the House. after a
conference on the subject, presented an en-
tirely new scheme of coEduits in this city,
ito be constructed by the Commissioners"
he continued. under a plan a reading Of
which plan. 1 think. will show that 1t is
tmpracticable Of adoption. at least upon 4
conference report. The idea of the COM
as the House placed 1t and be dealt with
more at large by the committee on the
District of Columbia in this body and by
the proper committee in the House of Rep
resentatiyes next winter. when these mat
tiers can be debated and understood In both
houses as they cannot be in a conference
report"
Mr.. Lodge: THE reason I asked the
question was because l have understood
and the senator will correct me If 1 am
Wrong-that there Is now legislation on the
statute book-I think reported by the then
ser ator from Vermont, Mr. Edmunds-pre-
venting the erection Of overhead wires
within certain city limits. There have been
pc.es and wires put UP by the Western
Union Telegraph Company on 18th street,
and they have recently put up new set
on 18th street. They are putting up poles
disfiguring the streets and SO far as i
can see, they are absolutely violating the
law.
Il introduced a resolution of inquiry here
some months ago to the District Commits
sioners. asking for an explanation in re-
gard to this subject, of which resolution
the Commissioners have taken absolutely
no notice so far as am aware. L seems to
me that the law ought to be enforced, and
that we ought not to allow a well-consid-
cred policy of that kind to be set aside by
th=se telegraph and electric light COM
panies."
Western Union Wires.
Mr.. Faulkner-''The electric light COM
panies are not doing it. will state; and the
Western Union Telegraph Company claim
a perfect right to do what they have done"
Mr.. Allison-'-They claim that thay have
a perfect right to come within this jur;sdic-
ton. Whether this be true or no. do not
know; but in removing the Western Union
telegraph office from the corner of 15ta and
F streets to the cornsr of 18th and F
streets 1t was found necessary to rearrange
to some extent their overhead wirea which
they claimed the right to ersct under exist
ing law"
Mr.. Jones of Arkansas asked whether the
Western Union Telegraph Company claimed
the rigat to erect poles all over the city.
Mr.. Allison said Ia understood they did
not.
Mr.. Jones said he had seen wires run over
housetops in all directions and had seen
many poles put up in alleys.
They have put up some new poles on
18th street as we'll as 14th strsat recently"
said MI. Lodge; land there seems TO be no
regard paid to the law to which have re-
ferred. which thought was an extremely
wise one. 1t seems to me the committee
should take some action about it and
thought these amendments would cover
that difficulty
Mr.. Allison said the conduit question was
too big matter to be dealt with at this
session of Congress with the beginning of
the new fiscal ysar but five days on. The
Senate then receded from all its amend
ment5 relating to overhead wires.
District Charities.
Mr.. Allison said the House still insisted
upon all its amendments relating to chari-
ties in the District of Columbia
1T will be born in mind" Mr.. Allison
said. that the House Of Representatives
appropriated a lump sum for these chari-
ties. whilst the committee on appropria-
tions recommended specific appropriations
for the various charities as heretofore.
The House disagrees to our amendments
in that regard and insists upon their disa-
greement. and now move that the Senate
further insist upon its amendments Nos.
143 to 167. inclusive.
The motion was agreed to and the Senate
voted to have another conference on the
disaErsem between the two houses,
Messrs. Allison, Cullom and Cockreii being
appointed conferees.
Mr. Teller said he thought an appropria-
ton bill was not the proper means for
legislating in regard to charities. He said
he only wanted to record his objection to
this method Of doing business.
AGENT DARBEE EXAMINED.