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


and for the construction Of a system OF
conduits.
The bill 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 connec-
tions, within the section in the city oil
Washington bounded by B Street north
from North Capitol to First Street west,
First Street west from B Street TO Mary
land Avenue, Maryland Avenue from First
Street west to Third Street west, Third
Street west from Maryland Avenue 10
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
prolongation OF the line of said B Street
to the Potomac River. along said Potomac
River to Rock Creek. along Rock Creek
to Florida Avenue, along Florida Avenue
10 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 I'M
derground conduits.
Two years is the time allowed by the
bin 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 10 be placed. Representa-
tive Miers introduced a 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-
ment of Waterman taxes in the Distr' t
of Columbia, and for other purpose"
The amendment provides that the fol-
lowing words al the end of section shall
be stricken from the act: That said
water main tax or assessment or reassess-
ment shall be due, payable, and collec,ible
on each lot or parcel of land or premises
on and after the date on which the con-
nection is made from the water main to
the said lot or parcel of land or premises,
ard 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
within thirty days after such water main,
or mains. shall have been laid, and such
assessments or tax shall be payable in four
equal ins;allments, the first of which shall
be payable within thirty days from the
date of service OF notice of said assess
ment 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 at the rate OF 10 per centum
per annum shall be charged on all amounts
which shall remain unpaid at the expiration
OF thirty days from the date of service Of
said notice, provided, that the assessment
or tax may be paid in full at any time after
the service OF said notice, and if so paid
within thirty days after the service of
said notice, an abatement of 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 District Commissioners to grade, reg
ulate, and set curb upon the highway along
the west side of the Geological Park from
Woodley Road TO Cathedral Avenue. and
upon Cathedral Avenue to Woodley Road,
whenever one-half of the estimated cost
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 OF Woodley Park.
The Commissioners are further author |
lied TO use as highway that part of the I
park lying within the lines of the pro- |
posed highway. and TO lay out new drive !
"a all ha cid fnF Dob
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 Creek between Gin |
einnati Street and Woodley Road when |
ever the land within the limits of said !
proposed 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 |
for to carry out the provisions OF the act |
one-half payable by the District and the |
pther one-half by the United States.
The District Commissioners have for
Harded to the Senate a statement by A. !
B. 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 coDformed to the rates pro-
yided In the act and have paid for services
rendered the District of Columbia only
such rates as were provided in said act.
Mr.. Duyall also forwarded with his re-
port a copy of the opinion of Justice Bar
nard Oh this subject and concludes his brief
review OF the case with the following state
ment:
No decree has yet been entered in the
case. An appeal lies TO the Court of APP
peaIs Of the District of Columbia, and it
may be taken within twenty days from the
date of the decree. Whether an appeal will
be taken or not / am not definitely iu-
formed; my impression is. however. that
an appeal is TO be taken"
In the House Mr. Levy introduced bill
directing the Secretary OF War TO serve no.
tice on the Baltimore and Potomac Rail
road Company TO provide a suitable road
way for wagons and cars across Long
Bridge and To so construct the bridge as to
protect the city of Washington against
freshets according to plans recommended
by the United States Engineers office, or
according to plans and specifications of the
Secretary of War.
1t Is also specified that the railroad COM
pany shall forfeit all privileges granted
il under act of June 81, 1870, II it fails 20
comply with the order OF the Secretary of
War within one year after the passage of
the act and the United States takes pos
session OF the bridge. The bill was re-
ferred to the District Committee.
Mr.. Frye. the President pro tempore, |
submitted TO the Senate a statement from |
the District Commissioners respecting the |
proceedings taken relating TO the act of |
Congress, approved June 30. 1898, fixing |
rates TO be charged for telephone service |