Evening star., 1940-01-14
Fifty Years Ago
In The Stur
One of the most important questions
offerfiro ha Diefriof h1far>

anectlng the District before Congress
so years ago was that
Overhead Wires regarding the use of
leoislotion overhead wires for
electric transportation.
The Star of January 8, 1890, says
Through the blunder of considering
the District appropriation bill under the
rules of the last House the additional
provisions aimed against the overhead
electric wires have been stricken out and
the bill proposes no material modifica-
tions of the existing law on this subject.
Those Representatives, who, processing
to be hostile to the overhead wires, de-
feated by points of order, the require
ment that the electric light wires should
be buried after certain date and that
after later date the poles should be
taxed ought now as vindication of
their good faith to formulate and press
guarded plan of burial for which they
expressed desire. Under the law no
additional overhead wires can be erected
and an elaborate and able report on the
best method of disposing of those now
standing has been prepared by the Engi-
neer Commissioner and submitted to the
Senate in response to its request. The
careful consideration of the matter by
the District authorities which some of
the Representatives wished as a prelim-
mary to the serious step of incommoding
the overhead electric wire companies has
already been given. Congress, if it wants
to act, can act at once on the basis of
the information furnished by Maj. Ray
mond's report and by the discussion of
the subject during several years in both
houses. That the overhead electric wires
should be put underground is the opin-
ion OF the public in every large city and
Is the expressed opinion of the over
whelming majority of Congressman. If
Congress is sincere in its utterances it
can and will pass promptly an effective
law on the subject. If on the other hand
our legislators are merely talking for
popular effect and acting under the
quiet influence of the corporations af-
fected, they will consider the District
appropriation bill under rules which per-
nit single member to strike out new
legislation, will refuse to bury the wires
through provisions in the appropriation
bill on the ground that there Is another
and better way of accomplishing the
desired end and will then proceed to
neglect entirely to consider legislation
putting the preferred method into prac-
tical effect"
n II
Congress was considering the question
of the location and character of the pro-
posed worlds fair so
Worlds Fair Site years ago. Washington
Discussion was a candidate as the
proper site of the ex-
position commemorating the discovery
of America and its claims were being
pressed against New York, Chicago and
st. Louis. The Star of January 10, 1890,
says:
"This is Washington's day in the
worlds fair site discussion. If the
United States has done anything in the
past to be proud of, If it has aught of
power progress and wealth to exhibit to
its sister nations, it certainly has means
enough to meet the cost Of the display
and to hold national celebration at
the National Capital. If its Capital were
unsuitable In any respect for worlds fair
purposes there might be excuse for locat-
ing the exhibition at some point more
favored. But the Capital is the most
beautiful city in the world and its streets,
parks and reservations, its public build
ings and private houses are in themselves
tribute to the greatness of the Nation
which all who have seen it acknowledge
without moment of doubt or hesitancy.
It is easy OF access by rail and water;
its climate is grateful; its citizens are
hospitable; its history is the Nations
history; its environments are still in the
beauty Of nature; it is the pride Of the
people and the focal point of all that is
highest and best in the progress and
cultivation of the Republic. With the
celebration located In Washington no