Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-09
ON LOCAL LEGISLATION
DISTRICT AND SCHOOL BILLS IN
THE SENATE.
Method Of Paying for Street In
provements Criticised by
Mr.. Nelson.

During the latter part OF the session OF
the Senate yesterday afternoon Senator
Gallinger called up the District appropria-
ton bill. In that connection the bill for
the reorganization of the schools was also
discussed, but was not acted upon.
Mr.. Gallinger offered an additional amend
ment to the BILL AS reported from the
committee, the bill provides for the paving
of Massachusetts avenue from Sheridan
Circle to Decatur street, and appropriates
for that purpose $500 Mr.. Gallinger's
amendment was to extend the paving to
oath street and to increase the appropria-
ton to $500. which agreed to.
Senator Nelson commented upon having
street improvements paid for from the gen.
eral fund. and said in his part of the coun-
try they were paid for from special assess
ments.
Effect on Real Estate Speculation.
Il do not expect the committee to do
1t now" said Mr. Nelson. but 1 think in
the future the committee ought to devise
a system by which In all these cases the
adjoining lot owners should contribute
their share to the street improvements In
the first instance. 1t would not only be
intrinsically just and honest and follow the
procedure In other towns but it would also
| tend to repress somewhat this booming and
speculation in suburban property"
Senator Gallinger replied, saying he
thought the senator was wrong In saying
that every other municipality than WASH
1nSton purSueS that course. But however
that may be, he said these men first dedi-
cate the land then they pay portion Of
the curb and the sidewalk-one- in the
matter of sidewalk
Mr. Nelson modified his former statement
by saying he thought the property owners
should contribute something He thought
they should contribute one-half toward the
paving of streets.
Credit Due to Spectators.
II have no particular sympathy with real
estate SPECTATORS" replied Mr. GaIlinger,
but 1 think any senator who will take the
trouble to cool himself off by riding on the
rapid-transt car of this city on hot even
Ing of June day will feel that we are
under great obligations to the enterprising
men who have gone outside and opened up
SUBDIVISIONS and made Ii possible to have
the beautiful homes that we find within
four or five miles of the Capitol.
L do not know how much money they
have made. They deserve to make money.
Their enterprise Is worthy. and it has done
very much to make Washington the beauti-
fui city that 1t Is
Mr.. Gallinger also offered an amendment
to grade and improve 18th street from
Florida avenue to Euclid street, 5000.
An amendment was adopted providing for
three clerks for the police department at
5000 each, instead of one at $500 and two
at $40 each.
The School Bill Taken Up.
Mr.. Galinger then gave way to Senator
Burkett to bring up the school bill
When the paragraph relating to the ap-
potntment of three women members Of
the board of education, Mr.. McCumber
asked why such specification was made.
My own observation and my own expert
ence to some extent In matters of this kind
do not lead me to believe that the very
best interest of the schools will demand
that any certain number of the board of
education shall be women. said Mr.. Nc
Cumber.
II have had considerable observation and
some experience along this line 1t is un-
doubtedly true that in such a great city
this there could be selected the proper kind
of women 10 fill this position. 1t Is possibly
true that could find much better material
for this position If the judges We're left
entirely free to determine not only the
personnel, but the OF the persons to be
appointed to the position.
Mr.. Burkett said request was made that
there might be three women on the board
Upon motion Of Mr. Burkett the para
graph providing for a white assistant,
was amended to read, white assistant su-
perintendent'
Mr. McCunlber said he was interested In
the schools both because he believes In
them and because he sends his children to
| them in preference to other schools He
| referred to the change of the designation
of director of high schools to director of in
termediate instruction.
There was a long controversy between
| Mr. McCumber and Mr.. Burkett over the
organization provided in the bill, and Mr..
| McCumber indicated his purpose of offer
| ing some amendments. The bill, however.
was not completed when the Senate adj
| journed after o'clock.
~