Evening star., 1898-03-05
Progress. L. Worthy Local Projects.

The Dlstrjct appropriation Dill, WnlCn Is
To be taken up by the Senate next Monday
for consideration, now embodies crafty
ing number Of aids toward the accom-
plishment of several of the most important
projects for local betterment. OF course
the bill has vet 10 pass the Senate, and
must then run the gauntlet of the confer
enco between the houses. and SO it may be
shorn of sonle of It's most valuable fea-
lures. though experience warrants the be-
lief that the Senate will resist stubbornly
all attempts TO this end. The list of ad-
vances is exceptionally satisfactory. The
start made on the accomplishment of the
sewage disposal project is generous, the
sum named foT the works outlined being
liberal as could he expected while the
Improvement Is being considered as sub
ject to piece-meal appropriations. The
completion of the aqueduct tunnel and the
inquiry into filtration meet with the heart
lest public approval, while the provi-
sion for maintaining the municipal library
has gratifed every class Of residents Of
the capital. The appropriation for one
large manual training school is in the
direction of aiding the public school system
of the District 10 retain Its present high
standard among the cities of the country.
A joint resolution. favorably reported, gives
"a start to another important project, the
reclamation of the Anacostia fats.
The bill which seeks to provide an eauit-
able legislative enactment concerning plans
OF street extension. by amendment of tie
highway act, is before the Senate District
committee III such shape that there seem
to be good prospects of action in the near
future. The subcommittee now considering
the case Is making .&ceilent progress, and
there is belief that the full committee
will soon report the bin favorably This
bill represents the view of the Commits
sioners and the Board of Trade, and the
sentiment of the citizens has noticeably
centered in support of fits propositions
The resolutions adopted by the Board Of
Trade at its meeting December 20 last de-
ciared that:
Proportionate contribution by the United
states. under the act of 1878 is a vital
feature OF this amsndatory legislation. and
II the elimination Of section fifteen cannot
be othel wise secured the whole highway
act should be repealed"
This declaration unquestionably repre-
sents public opinion today, and is the basil,
OF all The present efforts. There is reason
10 believe that the Senate can enact the
pending bill at the present session in such
season as to give the House time for its
consideration If that body should be so
dis posed There are. however, forebodings
in some quarters that the House will not
act, and disposition Is observed here and
there TO urge that IL Is useless to proceed
fIrther with the effort to secure the pas
sage OF the bill based upon the declaration
Just quoted There is nothing positively
kr rown to justify such forebodings. As the
record stands today the Senate has no
reason to expect that its work will be nuli-
fled by the refusal of the House to con-
cur. Indeed there should never be the
least dependence in action by one house
uEon the probabilities of action by the
other. If this were the rule, if a bill were
never to be passed because there were
possible chances against concurrent action
aS the other end of the Capitol the sum
total of legislation would be insignificant
ard inadequate. Each branch of Congress
must act upon its cwn conscientious judg-
itnt of what is wise and just, uninhuenced
by Suesses at the probable course of The
other body.
The citizens of the District should stand
- together in fighting for the amendment of
the highway act along the lines of the
Board of Trades resolution and the Com
missioners Endorsements. The vital prin-
cple contained in the demand for the re-
zeal of the fifteenth section, with its mis-
chieycus certaIities of future trouble, is
never 10 be lost sight OF in the desire for
suitable suburban street plans and for
speedy street extensions. The choice is
squarely between the repeal of section
fifteen and the repeal of the whole act
The issue is clearly defined. No other
alternative can safely be proposed.