Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-27

FOB By THE DISTRICT.
After TIE srAR's report closed Yesterday the
House continued the consideration Of bills
reported from the District committee.
The bill for the relief of the special assess
| mont certificate holders was taken MP and
favorably reported TO the House. This bill
directs that the District Commissioners receive
and audit all claims that may be presented to
them BY holders Of special assessment lien
! certificates, scrip or stock issued By
| the government OF the District, or
former municipal corporations whether on ac-
| count OF paving or other special or local i'm
provements or general taxes in cases where the
security for the payment of such certificates.
scrip, or stock has been impaired or destroyed
by action Of Congress, the courts, the govern
ment Of the District Of Columbia, or former
municipal corporations, or where such certiti-
Gates, scrip, or stock has been issued upon
property exempt by law from tax,
or are, or hereafter may become, from
the property in respect Of which they were
| issued. The Commissioners are authorized to
determine all such claims and to issue to the
person or persons found entitled to the relief
thereon drawback certificates for the amounts
respectively found to be due them
The drawback certificates provided for shall
| be receivable for all arrears of general taxes
due and unpaid on and prior to the 3Oth day of
June next preceding the issue thereof.
TWO BILLS PASSED.
The committee of the whole then arose and
the House passed the two bills which had been
reported. The first was the bathing beach bill,
with its amendments providing that the g. 600
be taken from the revenues Of the District and
q further amendment which changed the act so
as to simply authorize the Commissioners to
construct the beach and not direct them to do
So The special assessment bill was then
passed, after which the House again went into
committee Of the whole.
RAILROAD SIDING BILL PASSED.
Mr.. Atkinson then called up the bill grant
ing the property owners OF square east OF
square GAS the privilege Of constructing, using,
and maintaining railroad siding to and into
said square, connecting with the Baltimore and
Potomac Railroad at point on Virginia ave
nue. between the intersection of the siding into
square east OF square 642 and the intersection
OF the north siding into square west Of square
sos.
Before Mr. Ellis. who fathers this bill. had
time to explain what it meant several members
who had been expecting the bill confirming
the baltimore and Potomac railroad in their
illegal occupation of streets and reservations
to be called up were on their feet protesting
thinking this bill had some connection with
the measure they were waiting for. Mr.. Ander-
son remarked: Il would like to know some
thing about that bill"
Mr.. Bland then obtained the floor and said:
II hope this committee will not allow that bill
to be laid aside until it shall have been con-
sldered. see that we are asked to permit the
pennsylvania Railroad Company to take pos
session OF large tract of land that il
holds now, and whenever it wants to
come into this city it is to be at
liberty to take any property it sees proper
from the government. and we are to permit
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad to have the
right under the general statutes to condemn all
the land they want, and to take possession of
the city OF Washington and the District of Co.
iumbia ad libitum. This is TO pass this COM
mittee without objection. suppose. l hope
gentlemen will explain that bill and let us see
what it il"
Mr.. Ellis then explained that this bill was
entirely innocen. and only intended to allow
siding to be run into an empty lot for the
purposes of lumber yard. The bill was then
favorably laid aside.
Mr. Atkinson then called up the bill appro-
prlating $4,000 for the establishment OF q
building for the girls reform school. Consid-
erahle opposition to the bill was developed and
it went over
allowing railroad siding on Virginia avenue
STREET CAR COMPANIES REPORTS.
MIR. Atkinson called up the bill compelling
the street railroad companies to make annual
reports.
d
tons added to the bill, as follows:
Sec. y. That street railway companies in the
District of Columbia shall cause their cars to
stop at all street crossings where connections
are made with lines of cars on other streets and
transfers are given sufficient length of time to
enable passengers to make connections with
other cars No car shall depart from such transfer
crossing when car approaching on the con-
Meeting line is within 100 feet Of such crossing
or connection. Any street railway company
violating the provisions of this section shall
forfeit and pay sum of not less than $50 nor
more than 800 for each otfense-to be recov-
cred in an action of debt. one-half of the fine
to be paid to the informer
Sec. 4. No street railway company in the Dis
trict of Columbia shall demand or collect fare
from any passenger on any street car unless
such passenger is furnished seat in such car.
And for every violation of this provision the
company shall forfeit and pay not less than
$50 nor more than 500 for each offense, to be
recovered IN an action of debt, and one-haf
Of the fine shall be paid to the informer
point of order was made that the amend
ments were not germane to the bill The
chair sustained the point OF order not. how
ever, before MIR. Springer had expressed his
opinion very thoroughly of the street car &C
commodations In this city. The bill was after
ward passed. The bill transferring the duty
of collecting water main taxes from the engi-
neer department to the collectors office was
then called up and passed.
THE CENSUS QUESTIONS.
What Is to Be Done I'm Case of Persons