Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-24
NEW SUBURBAN ROADWAY
Bill for Its Construction Across Rock Creek
Park Passed
Mr.. Dockery Opposes the Measure
but il Answered by Ncssr..
jenkins and Mudd.

| The Stars report of the District dav in
| the House closed yesterday with the bill
| for a roadway across Rock Creek Park
under consideration. Mr. Dockery Of Mis-
souri, regretted that the hill was being
urged. He said. however that If the bin
is a proper one il is proper to make :he
appropriation one-haf from the revenues
of the District and one-ha ( from the gov
ernments revenues. for the reason that
this park was originally purchased under
the provisions Of that act" He warned
the House against making liberal cNpendi-
lures of public money.
4 Visit to the City Education.
Mr.. Jenkins Of Wisconsin replied to MIR.
Docikery. Il want to call the attention 81
my friend from Missouri particularly 10
this point" said Mr.. Jenkins, that the
amount involved in this bill Is compare
lively small when we consider the great
benefit that is going to be done to this city.
If ii was proper that We should trim down
it ought TO have been done some time ago.
II is too late now 10 talk about reduction
of expenditures al the expense OF the beauty
and progress Of this great city. This House
appreciates what my friend from Missouri
has done in the interest Of economy. and
/ think a grateful country will appreciate
it. But We may possibly go to extremes IN
measures of economy. l know that Il is
the desire of the gentleman from Missouri,
before he retirCs from Congress at his own
pleasure. To do all that he possibly can 10
lessen expenses. But he must remember
that behind his judgment there is the judg-
ment of men who, under their official Oaths,
are charged with the important duty If
making Recommendations here for the I'M ,
provement Of the DiStrict-men Of high pO-
siton who are looking after these matters.
The District committee have given this
measure their approval. | therefore beg
the gentleman to consider vel before urg-
ing objection to the passage of a hill that
is going to prove very beneficial TO this city
and at the same time not impoversh the
treasury. And | want TO say 10 my friend
that if l wanted to give any present, any
enduring pleasure TO a gentleman or lady
friend of mine / would invite such a one TO
visit the city of Washington at any time
of the year, for IT must pay any one 10
come here. Such a visit is education.
You cannot find any lady or any gentleman
OF intelligence who ever came here without
approving what had been done for i'm
proving and identifying the seat Of the
United States government. And this little
measure tends in that direction.
Mr.. Simpson of Kansas opposed the bill.
The Road in Maryland.
Mr. Mudd of Maryland said: Mr.. Speak
er, would like to say a word in response
to the remarks OF the gentleman from
Kansas (Mr simpson,, who seems to be
laboring under the impression that this
roadway is proposed because it may in
some way benefit certain landhOlders in
the District of Columbia, and possibly some
landholders in the state of Maryland. and
that we should take into consideration the
fact of the expenditure in connection with
those persons who are TO be benefited by
it as forming groundwork of opposition
to the bill.
Now that portion of the roadway which
will be built outside of the District Of
Columbia, in the county of Montgomery
in the state of Maryland. would be largely
in excess of that built in the District Of
Columbia. 1t would perhaps have TO lie
construct ed within Mont 50,
the extent of some eight or ten miles
while there will be only some two or two
and one-half miles within the District So
that advantage is largely in favor Of the
District and not in favor of the state Of
MARYLAND or the county OF Montgomery,
and there is not, therefore. any inequality
or lnequity In the matter Of cOmpa "a tive
expenditures between the county OF Mont
gomery and the District of Columbia in
the construction of the road
The gentleman from Missouri CMr Dock
ery) objects TO the bill because OF The fact
that il takes money from the public treas
ury. ] understand that to he the case Of
course, and it is not necessary to discuss
IL in this connection. But l do not think
the assertion ntimation that this Is a
departure from the custom that has OBJ
tanned since the adoption of the organic
act OF 1873 ought TO be passed over without
notice.
A Needed Roadway.
My contention is against the assertion
or the impression that this is sonnet hing
in the nature of a new departure or the
establishment Of a new system Of appro-
priations for such public Improvements as
this. That is not the case
Now, Congress has in several recent in
stances taken all of the expenditures for
the acquisition Of land needed and con-
demned for the opening of streets within
the District from the District revenues
but for the construction of the streets and
roads after the tie to the land necessary
for the purpose has been obtained a diff
ferent question is presented, and Congress
has never Yet appropriated, and, I appre-
bend, will not in future appropriate for
this latter purpose in any other way than
upon the principle of a joint and equal
expenditure between the District and gem
eral government This is not an appro-
priadon 10 beautify or adorn the city as
has been stated. 1t is to open a much
needed roadway, the character Of which
suppose, Will be left to the discretion
of the District Commissioners. I do not
apprehend that IL will be asphalted or even
macadamZed. but that an ordinary. mex
pensive and unpretentions gravel bed will
be provided, such will meet the require
ments and the convenience of the people
of that section, who greatly need this road
This bill is strongly approved by every
body whose duty it has been to pass upoa