Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-03
UP ON LOCAL AFFAIRS
Will Push Amendment to Morrill,
Act
WANTS BENEFIT FOR DISTRICT
Doubts if Present Congress Will
Make Any Change in Form of
Local Government.

Senator Jacob H. Gallinger of New
Hampshire, chairman of the Senate com
mittee on the District of Columbia has
returned to Washington with vigor re-
newed for a busy session of Congress.
Since his return from Europe, where
he went on official business. he has been
at his home In New Hampshire.
Although the chairman of the Senate
District committee has been out OF the
city for several months, he showed
during his discussion of District affairs
this morning that he has kept in close
touch with matters concerning the capt.
tal
OF the designations of the two civil
Commissioners and the numerous-al-
most innumerable-candi for the
vacancies he, of course, had heard
Almost the first question he asked a
Star reporter this morning was as to
who would be appointed.
When the nominations by the President
are sent to the Senate for confirmation
they will be referred to the District com
mittee for report.
No Change This Session.
Senator Gallinger does not anticipate
any legislation al the coming session of
Congress changing the form Of District
government Something may be consid-
cred some time in the future, he added,
but will probably not come up for con-
sideration in Congress during the coming
winter.
Senator Gallinger declared that he will
again this season push his bill extending
the provisions of the Morrill, land act 10
l. for fln
benefit of the George Washington Uni
versity. 1t was reported favorably at
previous Congress, and he hopes that tne
same action will be taken this session.
1t is estimated that the passage of the
act will mean an appropriation of about
sos 900 a year for the George Washing
ton University.
Provisions of Amendment.
The bill providing for the amendment
of the Morrill, act was reintroduced by
Senator Gallinger during the special ses-
sion last spring and was referred to the
committee on agriculture and forestry,
so that it can be taken up without delay
by that committee.
The bill provides:
THAT the act OF Congress entitled An
&C of donating public lands to the
several states and territories which may
provide colleges for the benefit OF agricul-
ture and the mechanic arts approved
July q 1862, and all acts supplementary
thereto, be and are hereby amended SO
as to include in the terms and dement's
of said act and supplementary acts the
District of Columbia with the states and
territories, the intent being to make avail
abe for the District of Columbia the an
nual appropriations for the endowment
support and maintenance OF insttu-
tions giving instruction in agriculture,
the mechanic arts, and the other subjects
specified in the said act of Congress ap-
proved July 2, 1862, and supplementary
act approved August 30, 1880, and sup
Elementary act approved March 4, 1910,
together with other acts heretofore pass
ed providing for annual appropriations
for such colleges.
THAT the George Washington Univer-
sity, in the District of Columbia, is here
by designated to receive the appropr1a-
tions under said acts of Congress; pro-
vided that it shall carry on courses of in
structon in agriculture and the me-
chanio arts and in the other subjects re-
quired of the state institutions receiving
said appropriations.
THAT there shall be, and hereby is, an
nually appropriated out of any money In
the Treasury not otherwise appropriated,
to be paid to said university. in accord
ance with the provisions of said acts as
hereby amended. the same sum or sums
as is and may be hereafter allowed under
said acts to each state and territory, In
cluding the present year.
THAT the Secretary of Agriculture, the
Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary
of Commerce and Labor and the commits
sioner of education shall be officiO
members of the board of trustees of said
university, and an annual report shall be
made to Congress regarding its educa-
tional work.
Not Fair to District.
Under the present law. in the opinion of
Senator Gallinger, there is a discrimina-
ton against the District Of Columbia. He
does not believe such discrimination
should exist 1t Is only just, in his opin-
ion. that the benefits of the Morrill, act
should be accorded the District.
Senator Gallinger also declared this
morning that the George Washington
University ought to be. with proper man
the passage of the bill he has introduced
will help it to that end
Throughout the discussion of matters
affecting the District this morning the
interest of Senator Gallinger in all prof
ectS which Will improve it was manifest.
He expressed eagerness to support prof.
ects which will aid in it's development.
The reclamation Of the AnacoStia flats
and the development of Rock creek on
the lines of the open valley treatment he
attention. He expressed regret that Con-
gress and the Commissioners are power
less TO prevent dumping along the sbanks
or Rock Creek, because much of the dirt
and trash now being thrown into the
valley must be removed when the i'm
provement work is taken up. The diff
nculty comes because the property where
the dumping is going on Is owned by
private persons and they have absolute
control over ii.
Development Of Washington.
The development of Washington. in
volving the Improvement of the Rock
Creek valley, the reclamation of the
Anacostia fats. the purchase of the
property between Pennsylvania avenue
, and the Mall from the Capitol to the
White House, and the extension of the
park system. Senator Gallinger said, can
be much FASTENED by cooperation be-
tween the private owners and Congress
The owners, he declared, ought not to
hold their land at exorbitant figures be-
cause that retards favorable action on
many projects of Improvement by Con-
gress.
Senator Gallinger announced, during his
discussion this morning, that he will soon
introduce bill providing for the retire
ment on pensions of veteran teachers,
which will be similar in it's provisions tc
Continued On Second Page)