The times., 1898-06-19

MI Livingston 10 concur III the senate
for the obstruction of the |
Connecticut Avenue bridge across Rock
Creek. He asked that that bridge be not
confused with the Massachusetts, Avenue
bridge. He said the Government hadNex-
pended $50.000 in the purchase of land
up to the creek on this side. On the other
side the land had been donated and
streets and avenues had been laid out
The Commissioners approved the Con-
necticut Avenue bridge and 1t was in
dorsed by the press and the people of the
District Mr.. Livingston said the region
beyond Rock Creek and along Connecti-
cut Avenue was thickly settled. Mr.. Liv-
ingston stated that the proposed cost cf
the bridge would be 100000.
Mr.. Dockery said he had been informed
that it would require s230,000 to pay for
land condemned for approaches to the
bridge on this side of the creek.
Mr. Livingston replied that the matter
referred to by Mr., Dockery contemplated
widening the avenue. The land actually
necessary was paid for.
Mr. Newlands explained the direction
and extent of Connecticut Avenue He
said the property owners extended and
improved Connecticut Avenue miles be-
yond Rock Creek, at cost of $35O,oO0, and
that there is space about "a OF a mile
long between Florida Avenue and Rock
Creek comparatively unimproved. 1t Is
proposed to open Connecticut Avenue all
the way from the White House to the
District line.
1t was ascertained that to extend Con-
necticut Avenue direct would cost about
$3.50 900. as the property was valuable; a
cheaper pian was adopted by DETECTING
the avenue and utilizing streets already
open, so as to make the connection be-
tween Florida Avenue and Connecticut
Avenue at Rock Creek. This plan would
cost about S250. 900. In reply to questions,
Mr.. Newlands said it was proposed to To-
cate the new bridge about half a mile
below the existing bridge. As to the $780,.
900 estimated 10 be necessary to pay for
land condemned Mr.. Newlands said that
was the estimated amount to cover the
cost of widening the streets utilized by
detection of Connecticut Avenue, to open
the route all the way through via the pro-
posed new bridge.
Mr.. Payne brought out the fact that the
expense incurred and in the projected
widening oil the streets was 10 bS pau
entirely out of the District revenues. Mr..
Payne suggested that the people of the
District ought to enjoy the privilege of
opening streets at their own expense.
Mr. Dockery said the projectors did not
ask for enough TO build the bridge. fear
ing. no doubt. that Congress might re-
fuse it: they asked only for a starter. for
s25 900 to lay the foundation of the bridge,
knowing that it would cost $2O0,e00 to
complete IL.
Mr. Payne said the bridge ought to be
built and he was in favor of appropriate
ing enough in a lump sum for the pur-
pose.
Mr. Grout explained that the House
had resisted the scheme 10 open and
widen Connecticut Avenue; that il was
found TO be an expensive enterprise as it
would require the removal of a number
of houses and a deep cut. The DETECTED
route had been laid out by authority con-
ferred at the last session of Congress.
condemnation proceedings were begun
| and the expense ought to be paid. It
| had been found that some Of the streets
were not wide enough and II was to widen
| them that the $4,000 mentioned by Mr..
| Dockery was needed
Mr.. Grout said the proper plan to pur-
| sue was 10 authorize the construction OF
both the Connecticut Avenue and Massa-
CnuSeIS Avenue pTiUBGS. Siiidii SulilS ~
begin the work ought to be appropriated.
| Mr.. McMillin said ii was a great mis-
| fortune that the direct route of Connec-
| ticut Avenue was not maintained instead
| of DETECTING 1t.
Mr.. Grout replied that the change was
of no real consequence except that the
| view was not so impressive.
He said that in point of utility and
convenience the DETECTED and cheaper
route was as good as the other He re-
peated that the proper course TO pursue
| was to appropriate for both the proposed
| bridges.
Chairman Babcock, of the District Com
mittee indorsed that suggestion.
Mr. King, of Utah, a member Of the
| District Committee, protested against
| legislation of this character on appropria-
tion bills. The whole subject ought to
| be referred to the proper committee that
it might be carefully and thoroughly con-
| sidered.
Mr. Babcock remarked that the District
| Committee, a year or so ago, reported
| bills authorizing surveys and other pre-
| liminaries and the proposed legislation
| Vas one of the results of that action.
Mr. Grout said the District Committee
asked to be discharged from the consider
alton of the subject and it had come ur
| in accordance with the usual practice, or
q regular appropriation bill.
Mr.. Dockery ironically congratula tee
the people of the District and particularly
those living near Rock Creek on the early
possession of superfiuity of bridges. HI
said it was proposed to spend $500 900 t
build a new bridge within half a mile o.
one already existing and a very good one
then 1t was proposed to build another a
Massachusetts Avenue, the two bridge:
TO cost at least 100000.
| If the House was determined to spenC
this money he protested against doing i
in detalA Let the entire sum be ap
propriated at one time.
Mr.. Clark of Missouri asked who woult
pay for the bridges; whether the eXpens
would be borne by the people of tn
District ''or the people of the Unitet
States.''
Mr.. Grout replied that the people of tn
| United States would bear half the cost
Mr. Livingston's motion to concur
the amendment appropriating $4,000 fo
the Connecticut Avenue bridge wa
agreed to by a vote of 90 to Al.
Mr.. Simpson, after some delay, ez
claimed mo quorum" Cries of "To
late TOO late" came from both side
Of the House. The temporary SDeake
: Mr.. Dalzell ruled against the point
no quorum. He said he purposely waite
before announcing the vote to give men
bers a fair chance to call for a quorum
but that Mr.. Simpson did not speak
! time.
Mr. Bennett of New York moved
= concur i'll the Senate amendment al
propriating $4,000 for the Massachusett
; Avenue bridge.
: Mr.. Mahany vehemently protested, sa!
ing that when the bill was originally b.
fore the House this proposition was owe
whelmingly defeated; that it was staml
: ed scheme of land spectators ar
| without merit as a measure of publ