Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-26
THE DISTRICT BILL
SEVERAL ADDIT1oNAI AMEND
MrNTs SUGGESTED.
Quite Lively Discussion on the Sub
ject Of the Telephone Rates
and Service.

The District of Columbia appropriation
bill was read about half through In the
Senate yesterday afternoon. Several adj
ditional amendments were suggested by
SENATOR Allison on behalf Of the committee
and bykothers, but none of them was inn
portant.
In explaining the bill, Mr.. Allison said
that probably 100000 more would be
needed to complete the highway bridge
across the Potomac on the plans Of the
War Department. He proposed an amend
ment limiting the total ctst of that bridge
to 81. 196, 900.
He said the committee did not feel like
providing for high pressure water service
this year at co-t of $4,000. but 1t had
increased the appropriation for the fire de-
partment 100000.
Increasing Salaries.
Amendments by Senator Allison increas-
ing the salary of the deputy collector from
81, 800 to $4,000, and Of the stenographer in
the engineers office from 5000 to $1,000.
An increase of an additional assistant at
5000 for the public library was moved and
adopted,
Under construction of county roads Mr..
Allison had an amendment adopted In
creasing from $4,000 to $4,000 the sum for
grading and improving Connecticut avenue
He also had new item adopted providing
an appropriation of 5000 for grading and
improving 7th street northeast from Bunker
Hill road to Rhode Island avenue.
The unsatisfactory nature of sweeping
some of the streets was referred to when
the increase of from $4,000 to 100000 in
the appropriation for that purpose was
noted. Mr.. Allison said the increase for the
work would help to have 1t better DONE
Mr.. Gallinger said the District committee
lad had many complaints of the condition
of some OF the streets. He thought the ma
chimes would do better work.
r. ,<1I hot hiatt
would be had If the work was done by con-
tract.
An amendment proposed by Mr.. Allison
providing that the inspector of asphalt and
advice or furnish any estimates or
receive compensation therefor from any In
dividual, firm OF corporation, but shall de-
vote his time such expert exclusively to
the District of Columbia, was adopted with
out debate.
Discussion on Telephone Amendment.
The telephone amendment caused some
discussion. Senator Stewart said that when
the telephone question was before the Dis
trict committee couple of years ago the
company had made fair promises which 1t
had not kept.
Il am sorry now" he said, Il did not
then vote for an independent company as
proposed by the House of Representa-
tiyes. et5Ed
He characterized the telephone COM
pany as ganaannoying company.
Senator aGallinger explained that the
committee amendment reduced the
charges from $72 to $50 and from $50 to
S4S. a4yt
Senator Stewart asked if the telephone
company had signified its willingness to
carry out the provisions of the Senate sub
stitute Ler the 1fot1st provision.
Senator Allison said it had, and that he
regarded the rates as proposed in the bib
as reasonable for the present If there
should be necessity he said, they would be
lowered later. Senator Gallinger volunteer
ed the statement that the companX had
expressed its entire willingness to abide by
the provisions and to have penalty clause
attached.
Senator German defended the company
be too iow.4
An amendment offered by Senator New
lands. provided that telephone companies
doing business in the District should be
required to make annual reports the re-
port for the first year to show the cost
of the plant, and it was adopted.
Senator Ga1hnger admitted there had
been poor service, but said there was a
reason for it. The company now. he said,
was in the hands of progressive men, who
promise a model telephone service for
Washington. He read a letter from Presi-
dent Bethel in explanation of the COM
panys difficulties. He said there was no
general demand for reduction of rates.
Senator Hoar secured unanimous consent
to offer an amendment directing the District
Commissioners to report to Congress at its
next session plan for the removal to a
place of burial in the city of Washington
of the remains of Major Pierre Charles
L Enfant, to designate such place of in
terment, and the character of a suitable
monument.