Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-26
7 HE BELT RAIL w AY
What Mr.. Babcock Says About Probable
Legislation.
Petition to Open the Congregational
Library Evenings-Othef
Local Matters.

Chairman Babcock Of the House District
committee has announced that at 1899 on
Friday morning the District committee will
begin hearings OIL the street railroad Ques-
tions. The committee will take up all the
propositions before them providing for
street railroad extensions. etc, and will go
thoroughly into the whole subject.
Mr.. Babcock said to Star reporter that
on his return to the city he found a situa-
ton with respect to the Belt road whic n
would probably render legislation asked
for with respect to the consolidation of
that road with the lexington and the in
stallation of new power impossible unless
the employees of the road were first settled
with.
The sentiment of the House." he said,
''is strongly opposed to any legislation this
road desires while the employees are kept
out of their wages, and the money due
them, which they were compelled to de-
pc sit with the road. The treatment of these
men excited feeling of Indignation. Their
pay is withheld from them and they are in
condition of deep distress. There Is q
feeling in the House, which 1 thoroughly
JOIN IN, that this road has no right to come
ard ask for legislation in its interest by
Congress until the employees have first
been paid what Is due them for their hard
labor
'oihS VI the employees OF the road have
been TO my house to get me to help them
to their rights, and some 1 have had to
give assistance to relieve them from dire
distress Their situation is deplorable and
thsir treatment mas been outrageous. 1 do
not mink the House will be in a temper to
give TINS road the legislation asked for as
lons as these employees are deprived of the
wages due them
To Open the Library EVENINGS.
The Vice President laid before the Senate
today petitions from the residents of Ia
koma Park asking that the Congressional
Library be kept open during evenings; also
forty-six petitions, all numerously signed.
OF officers anG employees of the various
government departments to the same effect.
TO Lay the Lake Pavement.
The Senate today agreed to resolution
introduced by Mr.. Galinger and providing
that the committee on the District of
lumbia make a careful inquiry into the
advisability of having a block of pavement
known as the Lake pavement laid on
some street CT avenue of this city, with a
view of determining its value as compared
with other classes of pavements now in
Use in the city.
More Asphalt Pnvements.
In the Senate today Mr.. Cullom gave
notice of an amendment he would propose
to the District of Columbia appropriation
bill, as follows:
For paving with asphalt Whitney ave-
nue. from 14th street to Holmead avenue;
Holmead avenue from Whitney to Lydeck-
er avenue; Lydecker avenue from Hol-
mead avenue to the east side of 18th street,
S13,O00'
The AnacOstia Flats.
The House committee on the District Of
Columbia held a meeting this morning and
authorized favorable report on the joint
resolution directing the Secretary of War
to prepare and submit to Congress a pro-
ject for the Improvement of the Anacostia
river and the reclamation of its flats from
the line of the District of Columbia to che
mouth of the river. The Secretary shall
report on the area and ownership OF the
land to be reclaimed and if any portion of
the land is vested in private person, an cs-
innate of the cost of acquiring the same.
together with an estimate of the cost OF
reclamation. The sum of 5000 to pay
the cost of surveys.
A Memorial Bridge.
Representative Rixey of Virginia has
made a request to the committee for a
hearing on the bill to construct a memorial
bridge across the Potomac. Chairman
Babcock has referred the request, together
with the bill, to the committee on interstate
commerce, which has Jurisdiction of the
subject