The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-20

provision is made for the acquisition OF
property by this method. This would be
only simple Justice to the present owners
of the property.
The committee also recommends that
the bill be amended by clause provid-
ing for the taxation of the real and per-
sonal property Of the railroad within the
District and the public land dncluding
streets and ayenuel the use OF which is
granted TO the railroad.
Your Committee on Bridges will doubt
less fully consider this bill so far as it
provides for the removal of the present
Long Bridge, and for the erection of new
structures.
There remains only the question of the
equitable division of the expense involved
in this work and OF the compensation 20 be
required for the large additional Use
granted of public parks and streets.
THE basis proposed in the bill is that
the railroad company should bear all con-
struction expenses included in its right Of
way and that the National Government
and the District of Columbia should bear
the expense Of the changes OF grade and
OF the approaches outside OF the right OF
way and should assume claims for dam
ages due to the changes of grade, etc.
Under ordinary circumstance, and with
conditions similar to those prevailing in
other cities. such a division Of cost would
probably be equitable. but the committee
is decidedly OF the opinion that the prop
erty and rights asked by the railroad com
pany- conseryatiyeiy estimated at 81 0O0,-
o00-largely exceed in value the possible
sum total Of the cost of such changes ard
damages. The committee is. therefore, OPP
posed to any such proposition as that
which would bind the District and General
Governments for the payment OF costs and
damages.
Provision should be made in the meas
ure for traclSage and bridge rights to be
secured by other railroad companies under
reasonable conditions.
1T should also be provided that switches
may be run from authorized tracks, upon
application of any property owner subject
to such regulations as may be prescribed
by the District Commissioners; provided
that there shall be no use of streets or
parks nor obstruction to pedestrian and
vehicular traffic
In closing our review of this measure
we also recommend TO the serious con-
sideration Of the railroad authorities, the
Commissioners. and of Congress. the de-
STABILITY Of requiring the railroad com
pany to acquire by condemnation or other
wise the square Of ground between Sixth
and Seventh and Pennsylvania Avenue and
3 Street northwest and TO convert this
land into plaza, providing ample accom-
modatiop for access TO the splendid Lew
station which, we are informed, it is the
purpose Of the railroad company to erect
If favorable action is taken on this bill.
Both Sixth and Seventh Streets are now
dangerously songested, and the proposed
widening of b Street will in no way i'm
prove this condition"
The board also took up the report Of the
Committee ON Bridges presented by r.
Ross Perry. the Chairman of the commit
tee. MIR Perry's report was on the portion
of the bill relating TO the removal OF the
Long Bridge and the erection of two
bridges in its stead. The report con-
demned the idea of erecting two bridges
one for the railways and one for general
use. II was stated that the bill proposes
to erect the railway bridge in about the
location of the Long Bridge and the bridge
for general use only short distance away
from it, This. the report states, would be
dangerous and cumbersome. and also en-
tirely unnecessary. 1t is proposed that in
stead one large structure shall be erected
with ample provisions for all service
The report of the bridge committee was
adopted
After the discussion Ct the railway bill
the board acted on several other ques-
lions brought up by various committees.
The following resolution offered by Mr..
Janney. Chairman OF the Committee on
Charities and Correction, was adopted:
Resolved, That the Committee Charities and
Correction Of this board be Instructed to use
It's best effort 20 bring about such change in
the law governing the cOnvicticn and sentencing
VI prisoners in the District Of Columbia as will |
secure the confinement of prisoners sentenced TO |
more than one year, whether for offence or
more, in the pcnitcRtiary at hard labor. J
A resolution offered by Mr.. Janney ask |
ing for ''truant officer for the District |
schools was referred TO committee. reso- |
luton presented by A. NJ. Read recon-
nending the establishment In the Mall of |
an "arboretum" for the study OF all trees |
grown in this section was adopted. reso- |
ution offered by Mr.. Newton extending a |
Welcome TO the National American Woman |
Suffrage Association was adopted. l