Evening star., 1898-04-07
THE HIGHWAY BILL
Hearing Before the House District
Committee.
VIEWS OF OPPONENTS HEARD
Brightwood Citizens Propose Many
Amendments.
SHOULD PAY NE-HALF

| > IL " " Il l. n VI Ell "A Il
The House District committee gave an
other hearing today on the highway extern
sion bill Mr.. Edward T. Bates, secretary
| of the Brightwood Citizens Association,
| was first recognized by the chairman
| Mr.. Bates read carefully prepared writ
ten address to the committee, in which he
| compared the highway act to a machine.
| and declared that it would not work. He
claimed that the highway extension bill
| did not provide for a practical and actual
extension of streets and avenues in the di-
rection corresponding with the present lines
| of city streets. The only case he cited was
that of New Jersey avenue, the extensie n
| OF which Is to begin at a fence north Of
| Freadmen's Hospital. He said the only
| purpose of this extension would be to fur
| n1sh short cut to the Zoo for some con-
valescent freedman, or more likely for the
accommodation of street railroad
! Mr.. Bates submitted number of pro-
posed amendments to the bill, which, he
said, the Brightwood Citizens Association
would demand should be made to
| the bill. Mr.. Bates explained that
the principal amendment is designed to
! protect the owners of small property hold
| 1ngs whose interests are endangered by the
| highway law as it now stands. Other
| amendments are designed to eliminate the
| provisions of the bill for setting aside
! reservations which are not needed for pub
| lie purposes.
| He said the amendments were prepared
| by citizens whose property rights were as
| sailed.
us your association in favor Of this biil?"
| asked Mr.. Curtis
If the bill is amended the association
will acquiesce in its passage. We would
| prefer the repeal of the highway act" re-
| piled Mr.. Bates.
Amendments Proposed.
| The first amendment proposed by Mr.
| Bates was to insert after the word lad
visable,' in line "a. page 4, the following
And they may also, If they deem advis-
| able, eliminate from the recorded maps of
| that portion of section one lying norm of
Piney Branch Spring road and Rock Creek
| Church road. any or all of the reservations
or circles shown thereon"
Also after the word map in line 3. page
| D. to insert the following: Together with
| map or maps showing changes, if any,
| made in that portion of section l lying
| north of Piney branch, Spring road and
ROCK Creek Church road by the elimina-
| ton of any reservations or circles as here
inbefore provided.
Also to add a new section to the bill, to
| be known as section IA. follows: In
| the event of any tracts or parts of tracts
| OF land lying within the limits of 10th
| street northwest, 9TH street northwest or
Illinois avenue, as set forth on the map
or maps recorded under said act as
hereby amended. being donated for high
way purposes the same shall be accepted
| for such purposes entered upon and i'm
| proved by opening, regulating. grading and
! bridging where necessary over the
| TIRE distance donated. or the extending for
| such streets or avenue. and the remainder
| If any, of suCn tract or tracts of land shall
| De exempt from any assessment for beEe-
| fits or for any part of the cost Of opening
| regulating. grading and bridging such
| streets or avenue. and such cost shall be
/ paid from the proceeds of the sale of bonds
| as hereinDefore provided.
| Nv hereVer the amount of land included
| within the limits of any highways. reser-
! rations or circles exceeds one-half of the
| total area of any tract or contiguous tracts
| of land belonging to the same owner or
| owners. whether such land lie wholly in
part within without the limits of any
| existing subdivision. such land shall be con-
| demned aid paid fer in the same manner
| as is provided for land condemned under
| section of said act.
"All land included within the limits of
| any reservation. as shown upon the map
| or maps recorded Under the provisions of
| said act, Hereby amended, whether
| such land lie wholly in part within or
| without the limits of any existing sub
| division, shall be condemned and paid for
| in the same manner as is provided for
| land condemned under section of said act.
| In constituting the intent OF any portion
| of said act as hereby amended all lands
| taken for highway or reservation pur-
poses by authority of this section shall
| be considered and treated of throughout all
| proceedings hereunder in the same manner
as is provided for land lying wholly with
in the limits Of existing subdivisions
Mr.. Blair Lees Views.
! Mr.. Blair Lee said that street which
| takes an acre for every 225 feet is
tional street Therefore, as 40 per cent of
| a 9O-acre farm is controlled by the munich
! pality, the municipality ought to pay half
| the cost or let go. He said the amend
| ments proposed by Mr.. Bates, which pro-
| vided for opening 18th street would be
| benefit to the people, by giving access to
| the Rock Creek Park Probably three miles
| of the upper part of this territory will be
| dedicated if the lower section is purchased
| to carry the street through 10 the city line.
Mr. Lee said the bill Is not street ex-
tension bill it stands. He wants to put
| a little street extension into it, he said
"Our position in brief" said Mr.. Lee, "is
| to let the bill go through with two amend
ments: First, to have the government pay
one-half the cost to the man one-half of
| whose property is taken. Second, that this
great expenditure shall not be confined to
the lower part of the suburban territory,
but that every man who wants it may get
| the benefit of it,
Pay One Half or Let Go.
Ex-senator Henderson Of Missouri ad-
| DIRE ssed the committee. He said he re-
81 cited the necessity for coming before the
committee. He suggested that Congress
ought some day to pass a law to allow the
&C mmissioners of the District to come upon
| the floor of the House and explain the needs
of the District. Mr.. Henderson said that
| the highway extension, cannot be made
| upt n the present plan. The citizens cannot
pay more than one-half of the cost
| Then" asked Mr.. Babcock, eff the gov
| eminent will not and the citizens cannot
pay the cost, what Is your solution of the
| trouble?'
J Either let the government pay one-half
I or let go. If you are determined not to
| abide by the contract Of 1878 do not i'm
pose upon the suburbs l. LEnfant's plan for
| the city.
You say you want to put through these
| streets and realize the dream of l. Enfant,
Washington and Madison. Very wen, but
If you do 1t. put up your half. You must
| either fish or cut bait If you don't put up