Evening star., 1899-01-02

The past twelve months have been
important and critical ones for the
District OF Columbia, as we'll as for
the rest OF the country. The war
brought to the capital OF the nation
a development prOportionate to the
expansion OF the nation The begin
ming OF 1900 finds Washington CON
siderably in advance OF the first OF
January, 1858. The city has become
more metropolitan: its business in
terests have become broader. and
there have been material increases in
the beauty and development OF the
City.
IMPORTANT LEGISLATION.
The past year has heen one of uEcX-
ampled activity in District legislation in
Congress More laws of local importance
werc enacted within the last twelve months
than within any similar period Of time
Heretofore. The House and Senate Dis
trict com mittees Were busy during the long
session Of Congress and tho men in chdr@=
Of the legislation prepared by these COM
IritteeS We're fortunate in securing prompt
action upon the measures hy their respect
i've houses.
Leading in the list of important local ls--
iSiariDU was the amendment to IN" high
way act If March =. 1Sg3 TIL" effect uf
this amendment was to postpone the plan
OF cutting through the belt OF subdivisions
in the first section of the street plans. 10
repeal section - and other Objectionable
features of the act and to retain the street
extension maps. after certain notifications
the fIT-T -pFftpD CtE4Ylrf with T.y dat
provisions for the benefit of suburban prop
eTtS owners iuJUripUSly and UnjuStly at
feCted by the original act IF 1898. Though
there was Il congressional refusal to make
present provision on an equitable or on any
basis To carry out suburban street exterl-
sion plan Yet the difficult feat was accom-
plished If eliminating from the highway
dct lis most offensive and injurious features
without destroying utterly the street plans
and maps upon which so much thought and
intelligent labor had been bestowed.
An extensive Improvement in the water
supply Of the District was provided. \
clause in the District appropriation bill
made available nearly $taJ.'En for the com
r!e-Ior OF the Washington Aqueduct tun-
ne. aud the Howard University reservoir.
tn work to De- completed ny the chief Of
engineers according to plans heretofore
adopted Thr frs step in hr direction Of
filtration OF The public water supply WIS
taken. in dpTrOpIidtius &,fD to enable The
chief Of engineers 10 determine III mnst
practicable method Of filtration and report
To Congress.
Th- free public library was placed upon
a firm basis ana made a part IF III ciJy's
pubic Institutions by an appropriation Of
$3.50 for lis maintenance during thu year.
The succeeding appropriation bill cDntiUU q
the ".TTHl rI3t ton This result WAS accom-
F.~uai as The result of several years Of
persistent effort in thu face of conditions
which az III outset seemed very discourage
ms The collection Of books was removed
to moTe CemmodIous quarters. the employees
E rr . v ~ orc. ..fr.r 4 Il
the lHrary Is EoW being patrouizsd uy the
public.
De- ra}.l advances along tn- Iiaa- of ap-
Tr'yr4 methods IF popular ,Iue. ion were
n.'He IN Congress during th- year. Pro-
VISION Wa~ u..ta for Tn. purchase IF q site
dHt u,-iHEt-s tn, construction of e. manual
Training school .he total COS. ru o- $i2-urn.
k.r-'.sart-a Instruction. long advocated
for the public schools Of Washington. Was
provide. f.r 10y an appropriation Of $1,000.
TN I-~,r.. appropriation hiI reported a.
IN. u -".t session Of tCT-rsss carried a
n-,ier-.st Increase ia tae utMu,r Of teach
eT--
An -ffor, WAS made for fh. reduction Of
tet'.t F'r rates. 10y "a IT.ri-.nn 10 that ~
I, b. 'He District appropriation bill. Tin
'.'i- company refused 10 recognize the
Ntr f#rsS prescribed by Congress and
sulrS 81. g.. entered both tu prevent tol},t-
L s- E-a.r fhy Old So h.duie and To require
tE' company go furnish service so new sub
- itN,ls ..-er the u,E. schedule. Those
S's'I~ ..-. H.W l. GdilG- tire company GasiEg
ltS o.t..s. -poE tE- claim that the rates
l-,~,E-i'.aI ave sontisrsftury and that the act
l. therefore EH, ,oI--ti titujjoUdL Meanwhile
a.. -'t.- I-T}. CA tile last dIy Of the year.
lrii'tsd 's' president Il the telephone COM
I.lF i.F refusal 70 obey the law.
IN, .rN-1 51r JGc construction Of a
Il - ..a" '.r minor Contagious diseases was
n. -s a..r-gs.at tius~ Grabbing the eStab-
Il M. .i 'i such i.~ti.utiaHS ou the grounds
OF ff- ID. moo HH-TsfGI and Garfield H0spi-
TAI. The -sm uf $1,000 was civen in each
Ca>,. '..- S--"s' frI support.
I-r .rI1f naval battalion wa placed
on % N.TH-s- basis y survey OF tne Ana
t.~la N,.fs Na- ordered with a. view to
Then ulriWtt. reclamation aud the improve
f.Ht as >lEl a:y conditions in tho eastern
sygt,a ., the Ci.y.
Railway Lerislatior.
Railway legislation 5f Importance was
enan..i u.rhirS the bcciuuing Of many
impru. meats II The rapid transit system
o. tn. oily Bills were passed affecting
s.ycri o ( be- street railways The Eek
iHSinn and Soldiers Horne railway bill. re
Wiii:'E 'ae Ity limits with ne underground
'-.'iric system within "re year. The Co
iHt.HLt railway bin au h.riZ=d that COM
pan % aA. .saa IJs lines eJStw9riiy from
l''H a-u ~ streets northeast To Beuuiug.
tEar'" hy the gare course and other roads
l." i.- eastern corner Hf the District. Tie
" a>-..StrH and Glen Echo Railroad Com
Eary VEs allowed 70 build its tracks GHH
lee; within the District Of Columbia and
IL. capita! Railway Company has been
&i%ls.-t authority 10 use trolley for
crossing the Auar,stia bridge instead Of
Lors, p"wvr. which 1t has used heretofore.
The East aShiggtCu Heights Traction