The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-02

MT. Mcmillan, Chairman OF the Noh-
mittee on the District Of Columbia, yes
terday introduced in the Senate bill to
provide for the removal Of overhead tele-
graph and telephone wires in this city
and for the construction Of system OF
conduits.
The bin provides that all telegraph and
telephone wires and poles not the property
Of the United States or the District Of Co
lumbia. and excepting such alley poles
and wires and street poles and wires in
squares where no public alley exists as
may be deemed necessary for the purpose
of distributing wires for house oonnec-
tions, within the section in the city OF
Washington bounded by Street north
from North Capitol to First Street west,
First Street west from Street TO Mary
land Avenue. Maryland Avenue from First
Street west to Third Street west. Third
Street west from Maryland Avenue to
Missouri Avenue. Missouri Avenue from
Third Street west to Sixth Street west,
Sixth Street west from Missouri Avenue
to Street north. B Street north along a
proongation Of the line Of said Street
TO the Potomac River, along said Potomac
River to Rock Greek. along Rock Creek
TO Florida Avenue, along Florida Avenue
TO North Capitol Street. and along North
Capitol Street TO B Street north, shall,
from time to time. as may be prescribed
bv the Commissioners of the District, be
taken down and the wires placed in IN
foreground conduits.
Two wears is the time allowed by the
bill for the completion Of the entire work.
1t is further provided that within ninety
DAYS after any conduit shall have been
completed. all overhead cables and wires
for the reception Of which such conduit is
built shall be removed and placed therein
and the poles removed.
The District Commissioners are author
lied to grant permits for the construction
Of subways and conduits in which The over
head wires are TO be placed. Representa-
tive Miers introduced similar bill in the
House
Mr.. Mcmillan also introduced a bill to
amend an act approved July s, 1898 en-
titled. An act TO authorize the reas sess-
meut OF Waterman taxes in he District
Of Columbia, and for other purpose
The amendment provides tLaJ the fol-
lowing words al the end OF section shall
be stricken from the act: That said
water main tax or assessment CT reasseSs-
ment shall be due, payable, and collecible
on each lot or parcel Of land or premises
nection is made from the water main to
the said lot OF parcel Of land or premises,
and the following snail be inserted in their
stead;
That hereafter, whenever a water main,
or mains shall be laid in the District Of
Columbia the water main assessment CT
tax authorized by law shall be assessed q
within thirty days after such water main,
or mains. shall have been laid and such
e1aal1 no Yah 10 in
equal installments. the first Of which shall
be payable within thirty days from the
date Of service of notice Of said assess f
nent or tax, without interest the second
within one year, the third within two
years. and the fourth within three years
from the date Of service Of said notice,
and interest al the rate Of 10 per centum
per annum shall be charged on ali amounts
which shall remain unpaid at the expiration .
Of thirty days from the date OF service Of I
said notice. provided, that the assessment .
or tax may be paid in fun at any time after
the service OF said notice, and If so paid
within thirty days after The seIviee OF
said notice an abatement of 6 per centum
shall be allowed on the entire amount Of
said assessment"
Mr.. Mcmillan also introduced a bill to
provide FOR the opening and improvement
OF Cathedral Avenue. The bill authorizes
the Disirici Commissioners 10 grade reg
ulate. and set curb upon the highway along
the west side of the Geological Park from
Woodley Road 10 Cathedral Avenue. and
upon Cathedral Avenue to Woodiey Road
whenever one-haf Of the estimated cost
OF said work-S21 000-is deposited by the
parties interested therein with the Col
lector Of Taxes provided that the full
width OF the highway bordering the Zoo
logical Park be donated to the District Of
Columbia wherever it lies within the lin
It's q. Woodley Park.
The Commissioners are further author
tied 70 use as a highway that part Of the
park lying within the lines OF the pro-
posed highway. and 10 lay out a new drive
way along the east side OF Rock Creek
30 as TO connect Connecticut Avenue more
directly with the drives of the Geological
Park, and to construct a retaining wall On
the east side OF Rock Greek between Gin
cnnau Street and Noodley Road when
ever the land within the limits OF said
driveway and the land upon
which the proposed retaining wall is 10
be built shall have been dedicated to the
District
An appropriation OF $4,000 is provided
Tor to carry out the provisions OF the act,
onc-haf payable by the District and the
Other one-hslf by the United States.
The Distric; Commissioners have for
Earded TO the Senate a statement By A. 1
3, Duvall, Attorney for the District of CO.
lumbia, in regard to the litigation ever
telephone rates IN the District. This
statement was submitted in response TO
q Senate resolution introduced by Mr.
Hale. calling for the above information
The Commissioners state that since the
passage OF the act reducing telephone rates
they have conformed to the rates pro-
videi In the act and have paid for services
the District OF Columbia only
such rates as we're provided 10 said act
Mr. Duvsn also forwarded with his re-
port a copy OF the opinion of Justice Bar
nard OF this subject and concludes his brief
review OF the case with the following state
meut
No decree has yet been entered In the
Ease. An appeal lies 10 the Court Of APP
peals Of the District Of Columbia. and IL
may be taken within twenty days from The
date OF The decree Whether an appeal viii
be taken or not / am not definitely in
formed; my impression is however, that
az appeal is to be taken.
IN the House Mr. Levy introduced a bill
directing the Secretary OF War 10 serve no
ice on the Baltimore and Potomac Rail
road Company to provide a suitable road
way for wagons and cars across Long I
Bridge and TO so construct the bridge as 10
protect the city Of Washington against
ireshets according to plans recommended |
by the United States Engineers Office, OF
according to plans and specifications OF the
Secretary OF War.
Il IS also specified that the railroad com
,sny shall forfeit all privileges granted
{ under act of June p. 1870, II It fails 30
comply with the order OF the Secretary Of 1
Var within one year after The passage Of