Evening star., 1898-12-09
BETWEEN CITY AND COUNTY
Commissioners Propose to Abolish the Divid-
ing Line.
Question to he Referred to Board Of
Trade-Actian of Congress
Required.

The District Commissioners are of the
opinion that there are many reasons why
| 1t would be desirable and advisable to OBJ
literate Florida avenue as the dividing line
between the city Of Washington and the
county. They are advised, however that
only legislation by Congress can effect the
desired end. and 1t is understood that as a
first step in the direction che Commission
ers will refer the question to the Washing
ton board Of trade, for the purpose Of OBJ
tanning the opinion and assistance of that
body in the matter.
There seems to be a universal sentime mt
! in the minds Of the citizens of the District
favoring an extension of the city limits, so
far as the Commissioners have been in
formed, and the question is one which has
long been discussed. From May 13, 1859,
when Congress directed that the next ses-
sion of the Congress should be holden at
the city of Washington on the third Mon
day of November, 1900" the limits of the
city remained as originally fixed until Feb
ruary H. 1895, when Congress made George
town a part of Washington.
Since June H. 1875, Congress, in the an
nual appropriation bills had recognized the
the city of Washington, the city of George
town and the county, by its distribution of
the appropriations.
Recognized Dividing Line.
From time almost immemorial it is said
that Florida avenue has been recognized
the dividing line between the city and
the country, but for many years this line
has in many instances been merely an
ina ginary one, and one which the people of
the immediate suburbs have almost unani-
mously demanded from time to time should
be obliterated. The extension of the city
limits, as proposed by the Commissioners,
uTnI rn Tod {S y,
difficulties, growing out of the fact that
Tany of the laws prevailing here do not
apply to the city and county alike 1T is
also stated that the question of the owner
ship of streets, avenues, alleys, etc, would
be an embarrassing matter.
In this connection 1t is recalled that the
attorney for the District November -,
1897, filed an opinion with the Commission
ers on this subject. IN which he held that
the title to streets, &c, IN the city OF
Washington is in the United States in fee
simple, and that the title 10 the streets,
avenues, roads and alleys in that part of
the District outside Of the city of Wash
ington. previous to Georgetown becoming
part of it. varies, but is generally in the
abutttng property owners, the public hav
ing only the use for purposes of highways.
More Recent Opinion.
But. in a more recent opinion, December
I, 1858 the attorney for the District re-
ported follows to the Commissioners:
I'm order to abolish Florida avenue as
the northern boundary of the city it will
be necessary for Congress to enlarge the
city limits. In case this is done, all general
laws, ordinances and regulations applicable
TO the city should be extended over and
made applicable to the new territory, with
proVisos excepting such laws in regard to
overhead wires water mains, etc, as under
the circumstances should be retained
1t is believed that the proposed extension
of the city limits viii meet the approval of
the whole people of the District. and while
the Commissioners are considering the nu-
meFous questions which will arise, they will
also consider just where the new dividing
line shall run, for it is not their purpose at
present TO prepare a bill making the city
limits cocxtensive with those Of the Dis
trtct But il is understood that the new di-
Vidng line will be one which will bring.
within the city limits all of the immediate
suburban sections, such as Columbia
Heights, Mount Pleasant. Washington
Heights and other districts of similar proX-
unity 10 the city proper.