The times., 1899-12-09

The Senate Committee on the District OF
Columbia viii not undertake the consider
alton Of local measures until after &c shall
have been reorganized. Awaiting action
by this committee arc a number Of bis Of
great interest TO the people Of the District
Cf Columbia.
One OF these IS a bill which was inuo-
Gucc5 by Senator James Mcmillan, OF Mich
issn. on wedne- day, providing for the cree
ton at Washington OF a municipal build
ing and court house. The bill recites that
the building shall be freproof, and that the
total cost shall not exceed $2,500,000 one
half Of which amount shall be chargeable
40 the revenues Of the District OF Columbia
1t is stipulated that the building shall be
erected under the direction Of a commission
consisting Of the Engineer Commissioner
OF the District Of Columbia, the Supervis-
ing Architect Of the Treasury, and the OH
Ger in charge OF public buildings and
grounds. This commission shall invite ten
architects Of conspicuous ability and expec-
ience TO submit competitive designs upon
a carefully drawn programme, the compe-
tition 10 be adjudged by the commission
acting with two other persons 10 be select
ed by the competing architects.
The architect or the firm Of architects
whose designs shall be adjudged most ac-
ceptable shall be employed as architect OF
the building and as compensation for d.
signs. drawings. and personal services
shall receive three per eentum of the to-
Ial cost OF the building. The unsuccess-
lul competing architects shall be award
ed $500 each judiciary Square IS recon-
mended as the most available and con
venient site for the proposed editice.
The Board Of Commissioners Of The DIS
trict Of Columbia has in its annual reports
for several years dwelt upon the need anC
1olicy CT a new District Building which
should accommodate the city offices, courts
and Police Department. In the last repor
on this subject the Commissioners SAID;
The Dsstrirt resources were never Ia better con
dition than now IL Justny 1ohstt-s ih n-4Atn-
provision fer the construction ol q Il'iiitl ls
building. consistent in design ard location VIII
the prominence o. the District as he Se5t @
the National Government The Colnnl7siontr e
H-u imagine 30 necessity fer further argument t'
tIsruouStfsft. the necessity and advantage ut pro
sf65ng suitable structure for the accommodation
Of tle District Government and courts and 81
it is Ug longer question ct financial eAl's
dieucv lhev are encouraged 10 hope that thi
often deferred subject VIII receive the favorable
snd adequate action Of Congress during the com
ing Session
The municipal Offices and the Police
Headquarters are now established IN rent
cd buildings which are. It is confessed
imperfeetly adapted TO the uses TO which
they are put. Il is said at the Capitol
that Senators James Mcmillan Of Mich
fgan. Jacob Il. Gallinger Of New Hamp-
shire. Henry G. Hansbrough OF North
Dakota Redfieid Proctor OF Vermont J. c
Pritchar1 Of North carolina, Thomas 5
Martin q Virginia. and William n Stew
art OF Nevada, members Of the Commit
tee on lhe District OF Columbia. favor the
proposed building and viii labor with yea
Ler the passage OF the bill
To Register Land Titles
Another bill OF local importance is thai
Introduced by Senator Mcmillan, which
provides f0r the registration Of land titles