The Washington times., 1914-06-13

10 matter, as the House conferees
~re opposed to the amendement.
tn, following discussion occurred
.n"s~ning Seventh street paving
Mr.. Page Explains.
Mr. Austin-Mr. Speaker. wish TO
II the gentleman in charge Of the bill
question. What become of the item
aced in the bill in the Senate pro-
ding for the improvement of Seventh
reet northwest, $4,000?
Mr.. Page of North Csrol:na-There
gs an amendment put in IN tue sen q
lthorizInG the expenditure o. >.I'LOJ
n taking up the present pavement o.
~cvCntt street begmning-l do not le-
'ember at what street.
Mr. Austin-New York avenue.
Mr.. PaSe-New York avenue and eN-
nding for several blocks, and on that
nendment the Senate receded.
Mr. Austin-What was the objection on
e part of the House confSreeS TO the
mendment.
Mr.. Page-The objection was after
.eTsonal investigation of this pavement
was found that ii was an entirely
ood pavement and served in every way
Ie purpose for which is was placed
III
anted in taking up this pavement and
placing il at this time.
Mr. Austin-The present pavement is
"bble stone. and there has been no i'm
.rovement for half a century on the
.rreet
Mr. Page-It is Belgian block. not as
malt pavement, but Belgian block.
Mr. Austin-Have not large property
nOlders along Seventh street asked that
his fmDroVement be made.
Mr.. Fage-Why, certainly, they ap-
cared before the Senate committee,
nd their citizens association and some
leople who own property and for that
-eason the amendment was placed in
ne bill in the Senate, | imagine.
Mr. Ausiin-That is an important
slrcet. and they really deserve change
II the pavement.
Mr.. rage-I will say TO the House that
he pavement. v lille il is Belgian block.
perfectly good. and with the Xepen-
itUre Of few dollars in repairs would
ast for a number Of years and the
rUuse committee considered there were
. number of other places in the District
columbia that needed Improvement
nd appropriations for Improvements
IstlV more than this.
This is a street on which there is a
reat deal of heavy traffic, and the pres
ut pavement is adapted particularly to
Iit II dllit pdSSllS ONti lLAt S1SCN-
Mr. Austin-Did the District Engineer
commend the change?
Mr.. Page-The District Commissioners
sgmated for this, but there was no
,pecial recommendation on the part OF
.nGtneers or the Commissioners.
Action of the House and Senate con-
-erees on the provision in the District
7HI with reference to the price of gas
Ised in public buildings is looked on
n many quarters as foreshadowing
over rates on gas to the public rea-
soon.
The conferces concluded to retain the
Norris amendment requiring 70-cent gas
o be furnished by the Washington Gas
aght Company in all public buildings.
The amount involved is not large, as
he use of gas in the public buildings
: limited. and the change in rate will
1ean little TO the gas companies, but
IS chief Importance lies In the posi-
,ility of lower rates for the public.
Seventh Street Paving.
Another provision in the District bill.
aying Of Seventh street. between New
ork avenue and Q streets, with as
halt This was urged by every busi-
less house along that part of Seventh
Ireet
The House conferees, however. strong
) resisted the Seventh street item Ind
ne Senate conferees yielded. A bare
1ossibility remains of getting this item
estored.
The Senate conferees supported from
ne first the hslf-and-half principle.
The District Commissioners are much
Worried lest the deadlock result in the
iscal year arriving without appropria-
ions to care for District needs. Presi-
.ent Newman has been unable TO get
ny assurances of prompt action. Less
han three weeks remain before the new
seal year opens.