Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-10
PENDING DISTRICT BILLS.
Important Local Measures on the Calen-
dar of Both Houses of Congress.

dar Of Both Houses Of Congress.
TIE HIGH LICENSE. SHAN RAILROAD AND FREE
WATER B1ILs-PRoPosrTIoSs TO REDUCE TIE
PRICE OF GAS, TUNNEL ROCK CREEK coD1FY THE
DISTRICT LAWS AND INCREASE TIE POLICE FoRcK.
The District committees in Congress have
for their consideration during this session a
collection Of bills of more than ordinary inter-
est to the citizsn rs OF the District of Columbia.
In the Senate there srs two measures which
are regarded by the committee as being Of the
utmost Importance, and it is more than proba-
bic that both Of them will be disposed of 30
far al the committee is concerned. before the
Sd of March. One of them is the high-license
bill, now in the possession of Senator Spooner;
the other is the measure which looks to set
tlernent Of the steam-ranroad question. The
first Of these two to be attended to will I'M
doubtedly be the license bill, and this will be
called up for consideration on Friday next
Until then no member Of the committee cares
to say anything about The chances of the meas
ure- The provisions of the bill will be care
fully criticized and adjusted by the committee,
but there will be no hearings granted either to
the friends or foes of high license. II is more
than probable that but two meetings of the
committee will be required to complete the
report.
During the last session the Senate made a
special order setting apart the 26th of June as a
day on which local steam railroads were to be
discussed, but the special order was swept out
of sight by other business. The committee
will at once ask for another order. and they ex-
pect to secure day early in January. Senator
Spooner has charge Of another bill which is
not without advocates-the bill to reduce the
price of gas to 81 per 900 feet
The District Commissioners have anumber Of
measures which they will urge Congress to dis
pose OF as rapidly "a possible. The first and
most important of these in their opinion is the
free water bill; this the House committee has
promised to take up tomorrow. The PROPOSE
ton to tunnel Rock creek and to make the sur
rounding region park will also be en-
couraged.
Several members Of the Senate committee
seem to be almost as much interested as Major
Moore in the bill to increase the police force
of the District; they argue that the amount of
territory now covered by each officer is much
greater than that watched over by policemen
in other American cities Of like size and i'm
portance. The bill, which has been passed by
the House, is only waiting 10 be called up by
some Senator 10 become a law. 1t provides for
eight additional sergeants and sixty privates.
After passage by the Senate it will, however,
have to go back TO the House to be amended
in conference. for il now contains approp-
ration of SIS, COO for the new station house in
the northeast; this was provided for in an APP
preparation act and the section viii
ence committee. Something will have to
he done by Congress or there will be no police |
matrons. The bill authorizing the appoint |
ment of matrons became a law last session. and
IL stated very clearly that the compensation
of these natrOns was to be at the rate of $500 |
per annun, but no money was appropriated
out Of which they could be paid. At the first |
precinct statiOn-house the necessary arrange |
ments for the accommodation of one matron |
have been made, and all that ia now needful is |
the appropriation.
The bills providing for the abolition OF the |
present Police Court and substituting therefor
three or more courts and the bill providing |
for jury trials in the Police Court will be |
pushed as near TO the front as possible by their
advocates.
The Distric. Commissioners will. thew say, |
take an especial interest in all legislation
affecting the District. Commissioners Webb /
and Wheatley both said to a STAR reporter
that they were going to make strenuous efforts
trlct this session as possible. The cOditcation
of the District laws is one of the many things
TO which the attention of Congress will be
directed.
The COMMITTEES CALENDAR.
Following is the recently completed calendar
of bills and petitions now in the hands of the
Senate district committee for consideration:
Senate bills to establish hospital and REFORM
atory for inebriates in the District of Column
bia; to authorize the Commissioners of the !
District of Columbia to condemn land on Rock |
creek for the purposes of park; to incorpo-
rate the Washington Central Electric Railroad |
company; to amend the charter of the |
Washington and Georgetown Railroad Co.; |
TO make the 18th day of February holiday in
the District; 70 prohibit the manufacture and
sale Of spirItuous and intoxicating liquors in
the District; to authorize the construction of
bridge across Rock creek at the foot of Massa-
chusetts avenue extended; to incorporate the
Capital Rapid Transit street railway company;
to create a board of education for the District,
and to prescribe its powers and duties;
relating to the record of wills in the District;
for the relief of the Sisters of the Holy Cross;
to incorporate the Central Cable Railway COM
pany; TO grant to the Great Falls Electric and
Power company the privilege of utilizing GER
tain waters IN the Potomac river; providing
for reference of causes inthe courts Of the Dis
trict; 70 quiet title 10 certain lands: to repeal
the acts Incorporating the Washington and
Georgetown and Metropolitan railroad compa-
MES, TO sell at public auction the routes of said
companies. and to grant new charters for cor
POratlons 10 operate said routes, and thereby
and otherwise TO secure revenue to
the District from its street railroads:
&c amend section Of the act providing for a
permanent form Of government for the Dis
trict; to amend the charter of the Metropolitan
railroad company; to incorporate the Washing
ton and SuitlaEd street railway company; for
the relief of the Union Methodist Episcopal
Washington and Highlands street railway COM
pany; regulating the sale of distilled and fer
mented liquors in the District: providing for
The appointment OF a superintendent of char
tiles and corrections in the District;
70 incorporate the Peoples Electrical and Ca
bic railway company; to incorporate the Isher-
wood. North and East Washington railway; to
incorporate the Hotel Republic; to prohibit
selling, giving or furnishing tobacco in any of
its forms to minors under sixteen years of age
IN the District; for the promotion of anatomi-
cal science and to prevent the Dissertation of
graves IN the District; to authorize the Com
mlssloners to extend, widen, grade. curb
and lay sidewalks on 10th street, be-
tween Boundary street and Columbia road;
for the relief Of Hannoh Hurdle;
TO provide for the supervision of the affairs of
the District by the Secretary of the Interior;
changing the name OF the Real Estate Title in
surance company: to authorize the extension Of
Vermont avenue; to provide for the payment of
the per cent greenback certificates Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia; for the relief Of the holders
Of District OF Columbia special assessment lien
certificates; to extend the streets and avenues
OF the city; to grade streets; TO define the route
OF the b. and T. railroad in the District;
for the relief Of q. II. Coryell; TO incorporate
the West Washington Electric Lighting Heat
Ing, Motor. and Power company: to incorpor-
ate the National Temperance Home; to pro-
vide for the extension of 18th street; TO pro-
vide for the widening Of Columbia road: to
regulate the fees and limit the compensation
az reCnrtar NJ a1- nd Of fha nfl