Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-01
HOW DISTRICT JARED
AT HANDS OF CONGRESS

Considerable legislation OF interest 10
the District of Columbia was enacted
during the few months of 1907 that the
national legislature was in session.
Local interests occupied considerable
portion of the time of Congress. Many of
the most important measures failed OF
enactment, but received thorough con-
sideration which. 1t is believed, has laid
the foundation for legislation in the Six
tieth Congress.
Congress in 1907 enacted legislation for
the opening widening or extension of
many streets in the District. and in that
way did much to open up additional land
for practical use for home purposes. 1t
passed legislation to prevent any further
action in making streets and avenues mar
rover than conte mplated under the high
way plan.
The sum of $4,000 was appropriated for
opening widening and extending alleys
and minor streets in the District permit
ting continuation of the work of re-
claiming the more undesirable living
places of the city and doing away with
the partial slums that have developed in
alleys.
A provision of the District appropriation
bill appropriated $4,000 for the prepara-
ton of plans and estimates for the treat
ment of the valley of Rock creek from
Massachusetts avenue to the mouth of the
creek, both by the open valley method and
by conduit. These plans will be ready for
consideration by this Congress, and IL a
desirable solution of the problem for the
Identification of that portion of the creek
can be agreed upon the work of reclaim
ing this unsightly section will probably De
begun.
An appropriation of $4,000 for play
ground sites was made. and is regarded as
one of the most important advances made
by Congress in making practical Roadway
for the attainment of breathing spaces for
school children.
The substitution of granite for the soft
stone used in the east front of the Treas
ury building was provided for. and work
will soon be begun.
An appr9 priation of $4,000 was made
tyr Strengthening the piers of the Aque-
>Shct bridge. Provision was also made
Nior periodical examination of the remain
&lg piers/of the bridge.
ACongress also appropriated $4,000 for
avenue bridge. providing that this bridge
shall be completed by July /, 1908.
Quiteta number of improvements in the
outlying sections OF the city were pro-
videH for. Including the construction of a
-mGtadam roadway along the west side
OF section = of Potomac Park, to extend
from the inlet to the tidal reservoir to the
foot of 26th street. The sum of $4,000
was appropgiated.
Extensive improvements were provided
for the experimental station at Bethesda,
Nd, which has been also a matter Of in
terest to the people of the District. The
Secretary of Agriculture was authorized
TO continue improvements of expert
mental farms on the Arlington estate in
Virginia and to carry on a number of
important Investigations there.
- Nearly all of the departments of the
<1ucal government were affected by legisla-
Hon in an important way. Amendatory
legislation partly along these same lines
was enacted. Provisions for extend
ing and strengthening the pension fund
of the police and fire departments were
adopted. In many other branches Of the
government some increased facilities were
provided.
Bills regulating the practice Of medi-
cine. of veterinary surgery and for in
spect1ons and reports in all cases OF minor
diseases were enacted.
The southwest section of tue city re-
ceived an improvement in its fire service
by an appropriation of So. 600 for truck
house.
Provision was made for annual reports
by the gas and electric light companies of
the District of Columbia to Congress.
congress failed to pass in 1907 an i'm
portant list of things desirable and other
wise including a bill appropriating $10.-
100000 for the purchase of all the land
the south side of Pennsylvania ave-
nue. from the Botanic Garden to 18th
street and extending southwark to the
Mall. The bill went to the House and
there expired in the committee on public
buildings and grounds.
Congress failed to provide for a 20 per
cent increase in salaries OF government
employees in this city.
The street railroads came in for a large
amount of attention in connection with
the necessity to extend the tracks of these
corporations TO the new union station.
The universal transfer, a three-cent fare,
the broad-tire bill. the extension of the
smoke law to steam railroads entering the
District all figured prominently, but failed
OF Legislative action.
The proposed purchase of additional
parks OF extension of Rock Creek Park
along Massachusetts avenue, part at
18th and Florida avenue. another in
Georgetown and another across the East
crn branch. all failed of enactment
An important project that went down
was the proposed purchase for S3.OO,OOO
of the land between 18th and 18th streets.
Pennsylvania avenue and the Mall, for
use as a site OIL public buildings
The proposed law for the regulation
of child labor in the District of Column
bia failed OF enactment.
Altogether forty-five new laws affecting
the District OF Columbia were placed on
the statute books.