Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-03
Wise Correction of the Highway Act.

Wise Correction of the Highway Act.
The Legislative task in respect to the
highway act of 1893 is to eliminate that
which is evil and to leave untouched that
which is good. only in case that which is
Evil permeates completely the entire
legislation that No wholesome provision is
separable will sweeping repeal of the act
be a wise and statesmanlike solution of the
problem.
The present issue between the House and
the Senate District committee turns upon
the extent to which the highway act must
In the public interest be cancelled.
The original amendatory bill. framed by
the Board of Trade and the Commissioners
md introduced in Congress in January of
this year. proposed three important and
several minor changes. as follows: First,
repeal of section IL of the act, which i'm
posed upon the District and its people out
fageously unjust and unendurabiy burden
Some legislation concerning the method and
principle of payment for concentrations and
improvements in creating and developing
new streets. Second, notifications IN the
adopted plans of rectifyiug misft subdivis-
ions, which would reduce the cost thereof
from TO 10 millions TO 3h or millions of
dollars. Third. attempted relief of sub
urban property owners from certain I'M
Ne. essary and undeserved evils imposed by
the 'red-line mortgages of the highway
act, including a provision. re-stating the
law as recently declared by the Supreme
Court, that title and full control of proper
y affected by the act Were in the owner
til condemnation proceedings had actually
begun. The plans Of street extension over
unsubdivided land were by this bill re-
tair ed: also in modified shape the first see
tion of the street plans which provided for
the rectification of the bulk of the misft
subdivisions; and a bond issue of four mil
lion dollars the half and half basis was
proposed in order TO make these rectifica-
items.
The House. after delibera ton and after
being advised that local public sentiment
favored 10 highway appropriation rather
than one on any other than the half and
half basis. concluded thai it would not at
this time authorize any bond issue what
sOeyer- 1t repealed the highway act and rs-
peated in substance the provisions of the
act Of 1888 which prevented the record of
new subdivisions except in substantial con-
forTdity with the plan of the original city
The measure passed by the House ac-
composites the primary purposes of the
original ameHdatOry bill in that it destroys
the unjust law and the injurious precedent
OF the 18th section of the highway act; in
that it reduces (even to nothing the cost
OF rectifying mistit subdivisions; and in
that il relieves the suburban property-own-
er from highway act burdens. though it
leaves him subject to the restraints of the
act Of 1SSS on the other hand. it retains
and utilities lone of the maps and plans
prepared at considerable expense in ac-
eordance with the provisions of the high
way act II sweeps into nothingness years
OF expert labor in framing adequate plans
Of suburban street extension an absolute
need in the municipal equipment of every
g eat and growing modern city
The arendatory bill proposed by the Sem
ate District committee resembles in its eff
feet the House measure in that 1t eifmi-
mates section IL of the highway act, re-
due : the pres mt cost of rectifyinG subdi-
visions 10 nothing by emitting to provide
for such notifications, and proposes relief
fer suburban property owners from certain
avis arising under the highway act. But
hit~ II eliminates the bond issue for recti-
flying mistit subdivisions and cancels the
frs; section map, which includes most of
these subdivisions, 1t Ietains the street
plans in their application to more than
2lo0b acres of unsubdivided land in the
county, in respect to which no material
public expense Is anticipated, either now or
IL the future
Tie question at issue between the House
anu the Senate committee is whether the
Maps covering the unsubdivided land shall
be retained 1t is objected by some of the
suburban owners of uHsubdivided land that
the capitals broad national street plan
Should not be imposed upon their property.
Il hey are to De cut off from an urban base
BY retaining uncorrected the belt of misht
SUI divisions which Iutervenes between
them and the city. 1t is to be remembered,
however, that these owners are already
and Will be under tGe provisions of the
House bill subject 10 the restrictions of
the act Of 1Sss. which prevents the record
OF new subdivisions unless approved by the
Commissioners as in substantial conform
ity with the plan Of the city. Regardless Of
The maps made under the highway act. the
na ,onaI street plan is already fastened
upon them.
In the original Washington the stree.
area was more than Cne-han of The total
area Under the highway maps about one
lhlrd OF the total area is devoted to streets.
I n maps do not exact as much from the
property owners for street purposes as
could be exacteC in enforcement OF The act
OF 1S-S. ReJenuCn OF the maps covering
the unsuDdivIded land would utilize the ex-
PsndltuTe already T.ade, and would Law
ocwn tins definite lines of future sundi-
Visions u the advantage both of suburban
properly owners and of the Commissioners
rtpreseHiInS the whole city, to whom Ger
IainIy on these points is Oh inest:maple
beLefit.
II the Senate will pass the bill proposed
b. lis committee legislation bencncial 10
the District Is 5; re 10 result from the con-
1eTt nee The proposals of The TWO bodles
VIII agree in The most important partIc-
G.ars, and the slnsle point OF difference
can undoubtedly De readily and wisely al
5Lsted-
II looks as If Spain would stand better
Glance Of patronage ON The part of its hith-