Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-01
MATTERS OF LOCAL IMPORTANCE
Review of the Incidents in Every Phase Of
Activity.
EVENTS DURING TWELVE MONTHS

The leading events Of local inter
.st during the past year were:
The passage OF the municipal
building act.
The assurance of a union station.
The completion of the Public Ii
brary.
The provision for filtration plant.
Passage of a new personal tax
law.
Reassessment of real estate.
Improvements of the White House
and building of new executive Of
fees.
The assembling of the National
Encampment of the Grand Army Of
the Republic.
The visits of many distinguished
foreigners.
Deficiency in coal supply.
The deaths of Ex-Governor Shop
herd, Commissioner Ross and Sen
ator Mcmillan.
District Legislation.
During the past year the legislation en-
acted by Congress for the benefit Of the
District Of Columbia has been notable In
many respects the nature of this legisla-
ton has shown that Congress has recog-
nized once for all time that In future plans
for this city no penny wise policies are to
be tolerated and that everything that is
done here in the matter Of municipal i'm
provements Is to be with a view Of build
Ing great city as magnificent in all its
arrangements as 1t was in its early days
magnificent In the conception Of its found
erS. Congress has recognized that the
building Of a great capital Is a project
worthy of the very best effort and the high
est skill that can be commanded.
In pursuing this policy the plans Of the
most liberal minded OF legislators have re-
ceived the -unbounded approval of people in
all sections Of the country. Men who
stand at the very head Of their professions
have been called into consultation to inter-
pref and to assist in developing the plans
OF Washington and L'Enfant, and it Is a
notable fact that in every case In which an
invitation OF this kind has been extended,
professional men have been eager in their
responses and have entered upon the work
of identifying the capital of the nation
with the greatest enthusiasm. They have
In turn done much to inspire every one
with the wonderful possibilities of the de-
type on lines Of Improvement marked out
by the founders Of the country itself
1t has also been shown that the day when
the people OF the country have looked upon
the Improvement of this city with indiffer-
ence has passed forever. The leading men
Of the Senate and House of Representatives
have been interested in this DEVELOPMENT
OF the capital. and In every case they have
been proud to be numbered among the men
who will be written down in history as the
builders Of the beautiful city on the bank
OF the Potomac, consecrated by the great
patriot and the first President Of the re-
public as the home Of the nation and the
pride of all the people.
In many respects the most notable i'm
provement of the city that has been as
sured during the present year has been the
abolition Of grade crossings on the lines of
tho steam railroads entering the District.
The bill to accomplish this purpose is now
in conference. having been passed by both
houses of Congress without differences suf-
ficient to teopardize its passage. This
measure solves the trying problem Of the
dangerous grade crossings in q manner as
satisfactory as could possibly be hoped for
30 far as the plan on which these improve
ments are to be made is concerned. The
unSightly tracks are to be removed from
the mall, other tracks are to be either de-
pressed or elevated and the two stations
now maintained are to be combined in a
magnificent structure located on Massa-
ChusettS avenue.
The long hoped for municipal building has
been provided for. Plans have been drawn
for this building on classic lines, to be exc
cuted in white marble. An increase of the
limit of cost fiXed for the building by Con-
gress has been deemed imperative, II the
city Is to be given suitable structure. and
Congress Will consider the appropriation OF
q larger sum than at first provided
During the year a new personal tax Law
has been enacted and. together with an ad
dttional amount of taxes to be raised from
revision OF the assessments of real es-
cate, very much larger revenue is assured
Tor the District, which. it Is believed will
result in more liberal improvements The
law was also changed so that real estate
should be assessed at twO-thirds of Its
true Talue." and taxed at the rate of II.
Der cpIt OF this assessment The same taz
u now paid on agricultural land unsub
divided, which formerly was taxed at the
fate OF | per cent
Cons aess has had before it the report Of
The pa X commission which in its final form
has only recently been issued from the
govern neut printing office There Is little
doubt that these plans will always be infiu
snual in the development OF the city.
An appropriation of $50, 900 has beer
made FOR the reclamation Of the Anacostis
Oats. ~
Cong -ess appropriated 100000 for the fil
eration plant, but as II has been desired
to reyse the plans for the plant In accord
Ance with the most recent improvement.
In the construction OF such projects. tn,
work has been delayed. Congress ha.
QhOwn It's mcmahon TO appropriate money
Tor TIL purpose as rapidly as 1t could b,
expenied. SO that there 10 not apt to b,
eny delay In the work on account of lacl
Of mocey. 1t will be two or three years be
fore filtered water Is distributed.
Congress in the last session made add
tionai provision for the public library. IL
order 10 prepare for the establishment o.
the library In the new building donated t.
the city by Mr.. Carnegie.
Congress has given Providence Hospita
t50.OO) for reconStructing its nurses home
and an equal amount was appropriated fo
the purchase OF land adjoining Garfield
Hospital for that Institution.
The Chesapeake and Potomac Telephon,
Company received from Congress Yaluabl,
concessions In the form Of authority to LAY
additional conduits for its electrical wire!
and to string overhead wires in alleys ant
Ia the suburbs. with provisions that over
head wires should be removed Throughout
the thickly settled parts Of the District.
The reconstruction OF pier No 8 of tn,
Aaneduct bridge was provided for at
cost of S65, 900.
The limit Of cost for the completion of tn,
highway bridge across the Potomac wa,
Increased from $685. to $096.
In the hrst session OF the present Con