The evening times., 1899-11-24


the District bills that were not acted Upon
at the last session Of Congress. and which
called for important legislation, would be
reintroduced in the coming session.
The Fifty-ffth Congress granted the
| District of Columbia a great deal of legis-
lation. some of which was very important.
but when Congress adjourned between 200
| and 800 measures that related to the af-
fairs of the District expired. Some Of
these were. of course. more important than
others. but nearly all had some merit
Congress did not decline to act on these
measures because they were undeserving.
but for the reason that the session was
too short. In referring to the District in
the last Congress, Representative Babcock,
chairman of the House District Commit
tee. said today:
THE District OF Columbia has obtained
frCm Congress during the last four years
more legislation than it received in the
previous quarter of century.
I'VE cleaned up all of the important
measures that came before US, some OF
which had been hanging fire for many
years. The most important legislation for
the District was. perhaps, that which per-
mits street extensions. and Immediately
after the bill became a law property in
the District improved in value.
1T is now possible to open up the sub
urbs in a proper manner and make them
in fact what they have heretofore been in
theory-a part of the city Of Washington.
The District secured great deal of legis-
lation from the Fifty-fifth Congress. but,
Of course. there were many bills that fall
ed to pass, not because they were not meri-
torious. but for the reason that the ses-
sion was too short to give them, as well
as hundreds of other measures, proper
consideration.
Elevation of Railroad Tracks.
1T is too early 10 predict just what will
be done at the coming session." continued
Mr. Babcock, but can say that, perhaps,
the NOSE important matter 10 come from
the District Commissioners for legislation
will be that Of the proposed elevation Of
the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Balti-
more and Ohio Railroad tracks.
The measure for this improvement dia
not reach Congress last year. but it was be-
fore it in 1893, and ii is probable that Con-
gress would then have passed bill COM
pelling the elevation of the railroad tracks.
il the Baltimore and Ohio Company had not
made an effective plea for delay. The
company convinced Congress that II could
not possibly meet an expense Of from 81
0O0. eco to IS. COO. .0C0 for this purpose in the
time required by the bill. Subsequent
events proved the claim of the Baltimore
and Ohio Company to have been truthful.
for the road went into the hands of a re-
ceiver. 1t is now, however, in good finan-
cial condition, and | have been informed
that the company is willing TO elevate the
tracks. The Pennsylvania company has an
rounced its desire 10 elevate the tracks of
its read. and that the company will not op-
pose any equitable legislation"
John b. Wight, President of the Board
of District Commissioners. said today of
this proposed railroad legislation, that the
Commissioners and the railroad officials
have had number OF conferences relative
10 track elevation. but that no definite un-
derstandng had been reached.
Both the Commissioners and the railroad
officials are desirous of harmonious action
in this matter" said MIR. Wight. land the
conferences that have been held have been
for tire purpose of bringing about such a |
result"
Whether OF not the proposed bill would |
contain provision making the District or
the Government. responsible for part Of |
the cost of the track elevation, Mr.. Wight |
could Eot say.
Bill Not Yet Framed.
II cannot answer that question now" he !
continued. for no results have been
reached A bill asking for the elevation of
the tracks will be introduced in Congress
by the Commissioners. II the railroad Off
cials DO not like it. / suppose they will Offer
opposition. We will tray 10 avoid opposition
# we can do so without detriment to the
District. l cannot say what provisions the
will ntoip fnr I,, !
iecided upon
Engineer Commissioner Beach gave sub
the same information but added
hat two bills would be introduced in Con-
,ress because general bill would not
over track elevation for both companies.
heir conditions being SO different. Com
missioner Beach said that thus far no
greemert had been reached as to whether
he District should bear a portion of the
Expense, and admitted that this important
tenn was the great bore of contention. .
THE bills are not in shape yet said ,
Beach,, but / expect that :
hey will be introduced during the first
ieek OF the session of Congress-
The District Commissioners will also ask
congress to create the position of Deputy
lealth Oficer; to produce a plan for the |.
ollection of garbage and the power to en- |
BILE the Commissioners to make a new .
iring next June.
For n New Courthouse.
Congress will also be asked to provide r
Il combined municipal building and
'urthouse. to cost not more than $780, t
No. and to appropriate $4,000 to be- used o
preparing plans for the building
Commissioner Wight said respecting this
-oposed legislation that he did not think t,
rngress would at the approaching ses- n
on appropriate any III )ney for this buil..- a
6 other than the AMOUNT needed for the
eparation of plans. but tha: 1t the next c.
sion the funds Necessary for its cc,- o.
ruction would be provided
The proposed hui, ling is TO L. erected 81
! the site of the pre.rnt court house
Judiciary Square. Commi-3'onar Wight in
Id that besides this hill 'ppyrcss viii be
ked to pass two others that failed of ce
actment by the Fifty-fiftn Congress. They I'll
e:
House bill 11127, providing that all D,
churches and schooihouses and
hrrsl ir<rc IL, |