Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-11
LOCAL LEGISLATION
OF HOUSE DISTRICT
COMMITTEE.
Georgetown Citizens Heard as to Bill
for Electric Road on Aque-
duct Bridge.

The GEORGETOWN Citizens Association was
represented before the House District COM
mttee this morning in favor of bill pend
ing before the committee to provide for
laying single electric railway track across
the Aqueduct bridge. The delegation rep
resenting the association consisted of G.
G. Boteler, chairman of the commit tee ap-
pointed by the association on the bridge
matter. and w. T. Weaver, Capt. G. H.
Lee, H. p Gilbert, B. T. Janney and r. w.
Dobb.
The bill was introduced first in 1901, at
which time the matter was postponed on
representation by the late Senator McMil-
Ian that he should Introduce bill to build
new bridge Mr.. Lattimere Of the COM
mttee who had introduced the pending bill
stated that he understood that Senator Gal
linger had introduced the same bill in the
Senate. and that the necessity for the road
would seem to make action necessary with
out further delay.
The road is 20 be built by the Great Falls
and Old Dominion Railroad Company. A
deposit of $4,000 is required to be made
by this company with the collector Of taxes
to cover the cost of making such repairs
and changes to the superstructure of the
bridge, the repairs to be made by the Com
missioners. The Commissioners are given
authority over the operation of the cars.
A report from the Commissioners accom-
panied the measure, indorsing the bill. This
report also estinat es that the work of re-
building the superstructure Of the bridge
will cost between $4,000 and 10000.
Amendment Suggested.
Chairman Babcock suggested an amend
ment whereby the company is required TO
make an additional deposit Of $4,000 in
stead of 5000 as required.
Mr.. Boteler explained that at the last
session of Congress $4,000 was appropriate
ed to make repairs to the piers of the
bridge, and this, with the amount required
to be spent by the railroad company, would
be sufficient to put the bridge in condition
for service for many years to come.
The bill was amended so as to limit the
use of a bridge to an electric street rail-
way" also so to make it mandatory
that the work be begun within one year
after the passage of the bill, or $1,000 of the
deposit money and the franchise should be
forfeited.
The committee then unanimously voted to
favorably report the bill to the House, and
Chairman Babcock designated Mr. Latti-
mer to make the report.
The committee took favorable action on
House bill Ii, 791 authorizing the Secretary
of War to sell any title the United States
may have in square 1131 to Sidney Bieber,
provided satisfactory compensation can be
agreed on. 1t was explained that the act
was necessary to clear the title to the
square.
Tax Certificate Bill.
Commissioners BILL introduced by Mr..
Jenkins. providing that a certificate show
ing whether there are taxes unpaid against
any piece Of property shall be issued by
the assessors office upon application and
the payment Of 81 fee, was considered by
the committee.
Mr.. Jenkins explained that If prospective
purchaser of real estate wanted to ascer-
tain whether the taxes had all been paid
on the property he would be able. under the
bill, to get a certificate showing the exact
condition of the tax books upon payment Of
81. If the proposed certificate showed no
back taxes against the property 1t would
act as a bar to the collection of any taxes
that might be discovered to have been due.
No conclusion was reached on the bill, as
discussion on the measure took up the re-
manning time of the committee.
A bill for the extension Of Euclid place
was called up by Mr.. Smith of the COM
mittee. but the opinion Of the committee on
the subject of street extension measures
was that all action should be postponed
until the exact financial condition was dem
onstrated under the new tax BILL which
would not be at the present session.