Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-14

in the next Congress both as a separate
bill and as part of the proposed Code OF
Judge Cox. Every endeavor will be made
to have this measure passed early IN the
approaching Congress
The Committee on Commerce ana Manu-
features Ward Theron, chairman; q
members) calls attention to the fact that
the water rights at Great Falls have at
last been purchased byinterests which WILL
it is thought, at an early date make the
power available to manufacturers of the
District of Columbia. If, it is believed,
this power can be economically distributed
and furnished as electrical current Wash
ington will for the first time have sub
stantal inducement to offer to industries
to locate here. The energies of the Board
should be devoted to encouraging the gen.
eral government to manufacture. far as
possible, its own supplies in Washington.
The Committee on Public Order "a. M.
Lothrop, chairman: "A members) reports
encouragement of the organization of the
Spanish War Veterans, who held conven-
ton in this city. This organization which
was launched under the auspices of this
committee promises to be to the volunteers
of 1898 what the G. A. r. has been and is to
the Union veterans. The committee vigor-
ously endorses the argument and appeal
of the Chief of Police for an increase of
his force. Interesting information Is given
concerning the reorganized National Guard
Its fine record in the war with Spain and
the unequalled showing made by the Dis
trict In the excess of volunteers over quota
furnished by 1t in the war. The estimate
of $4,000 to pay for one year those officers
and men of the National Guard who are
not in government employ is warmly urged
upon Congress for favorable consideration.
The Committee on Bridges (R Ross Per-
ry, chairman: IL members) reports that the
prospects for the construction of the Me-
mortal Bridge have never been brighter
than now. Through the efforts of the COM
mittee an appropriation has been made of
S2,eoo for survey and plans for this
bridge, and elaborate and interesting re-
ports nave been submitted by Gen. Wilson
mr. Ion, &1,{-
ton At the last session of Congress an
appropriation of 5000 was made for com
petlbVe designs of a memorial bridge, and
plans of four of the leading bridge-bulding
archltectS OF the country will be ready by
the first of January. National sentiment in
favor OF the memorial bridge has mani
rested itself through the action not only of
ofhciais but of the Grand Army Of the Re
pupnc, OF Confederate Veterans, of Boards
OF Trade, and of private citizens generally
whlch demands that this memorial bridge
pc constructed, connecting the National
Sapltal with the final resting place of the
heroic defenders of the Union. 1t is posi-
Die mat Congress will see fit to make this
STRUCTURE also commemorative of the one
hundredth anniversary of the esta bishment
OF the national government in the Dis
uict. Inc committee appends to its report
a vigorous letter from the Chief of Engi-
neers. calling attention forcibly to the pres
ent defects and dangers of Long Bridge
ana another from Engineer Commissioner
Beacn showing what has been done by the
District government with respect to the
Massachusetts Avenue and other bridges
Inc committee on Taxation and Assess
ment tJohn Joy Edison, chairman: IL mem
bers) commends the constant active and
Intelligent process of equalization insti-
tuted by the board of assessors under the
law secured by the Board of Trade. Last
year expenditures entirely from the District
revenues in violation of the organic act
amounted to 1891, 1910 largely suburban
street eXtenslOnS), a sum exceeding the en-
tire amount hitherto expended since the
date OF the organic law in violation of its
terms. A vigorous appeal is made for the
maintenance of the compact of 1873 be-
tween the national government and the
taxpayers of the District. Attention is
caiied TO the assessment of property in the
county as agricultural land when IT should
not IN some instances be thus assessed
ana modernizfng % methods of transact
| ing business in the assessors and col
lectors offices Is recommended.
Inc Committee on Railroads Drank
| Hume, chairman: 10 members) reports as
| surances from the District Commissioners
| mat bills VIII be submitted to Congress as
soon as that body meets providing for the
abolition of grade crossings and for proper
| terminal facilities for both the Baltimore
| and Ohio and Baltimore and Potomac
| roads; that an agreement upon the engi-
| neering features of these projects has been
| reached by the Commissioners and the rail-
road officials; but that there is as yet no
| agreement as to apportionment of the ex-
|
| The committee reports that while in some
| important instances, as Chicago and Phila-
delphia, the railroad has paid the entire cost
| OF changing from surface to elevated
| tracks, 1T is the practice for the munich
| pality and state to bear share of the ex-
| pense, corresponding in a general way to
| the cost of bridge approaches and dam
| ages to property outside of the railroad s
| right of way. The committee recommends
| that this share of the expense be assumed
| In the present instance by the District and
| the general government; but If the bills
| provide for additional use by the railroads
| of park or reservation space or streets to
| be closed that due compensation be made
| for these land grants as an offset at least
| to the aforementioned obligations of the
| District and general government 1t is de-
| sired that the fullest possible facilities for
| transacting their business be granted the
| railroads, subject only to the proper con-
servation Of the public interests
| l will add that this method of apportion.
! Ing the cost Of eliminating grade crossings
| with Offsets to the charge against the public
| in the additional land and privileges to be
! enjoyed by the railroads, is the settled
| policy of the Board of Trade and has beer
since the adoption of the report of the
| Committee on Bridges. February %, 1892
in which will be found full discussion OF
| this interesting subject.
| Where streets cross without change O
grade either under high, elevated viaduc
or over deeply depressed tracks, there il
| little expense outside of the railroads RICH
| OF way, and the cost TO the pubic Is re
duced to a minimum 1t Is understood tina
| there will be little or no change of stree
grades in the Baltimore and Ohio plan ant
that while the senli-deDressed and semi
| elevated tracks Of the Baltimore and Poto
| macs project will involve u considerable
| public charge. this amount will be mucl
| more than Offset by the railroad use O
many thousands of additional feet of publi
land in the park where it's station nov
stands and along its right of way.
1t is to be hoped that in the light of thes
| facts the Boards long fight against grad
| crossings may terminate successfully at tn
| next session OF Congress through legisla
+ ton which will at once do full justice t
. | the railroads, the government, and the tax
, | payers of the District
> If any large sum of money is to be eX
: | acted from the District for these improve
ments, this decision will mean the dela
or defeat of projects Of the first importanc
, | both to the railroads and to the commu
nifty Especially since the Districts so
. called surplus has been dissipated at 5
cents on the dollar on suburban street ex
tensions In violation of the organic act
, | the CAPITAL is in no financial condition t
enter upon large expenditure of this SORT
, it's entire revenue being needed to meet ur
gent current demands
A The Commissioners as the representative
5 of the people may be depended upon in tn
| ne (