Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-06-20
DISTRICT LEGISLATION.
Bills Considered by the House Commit.
tee Today.

A SESSION ctr SHORT ny THE silver ffGHr-A
HEARING on THE MECHANICS LIRx LAw--coM-
MITTEKMEN FAVOR THE DOUGLASS LICENSE
B1LL-A HIGHER FEE FOR LICENSES PROPOSED.
The House District committee met az usual
this morning and what 10 somewhat unusual for
committees at this season Of the session. every
member who is in the city was present and
ready for business. Mr.. Grout aud Mr.. Akin
son are both out of town and were the only
absentees.
THE MECHANICS LIBSsLAw.
Before the regular meeting Of she commit
tee the judiciary subcommittee gave . hearing
to the parties interested in the proposed me-
chanics' lien law. The hearing was an inter
esting one, both sides developing their views
of the proposed law we're
represented by Reginald Fendall and R.
Ross Perry from the bar association. ]. A. Rice
and W. c. Dodge. In opposition to the pro-
posal were Thos. W. Smith. 8. c. Neal and Mr..
Ross of Barber b Ross.
THE BILLS IN QUESTION.
There are two bills before the committee on
the subject Of these lena The first, intro
duced by Mr.. Davidson by request, il short
and simply provides that the Revised Statute
relating to the District of Columbia concern
ing mechanics liens be amended 50 as to pro-
vide that the lien given shall be preferre
to all judgments, mortgages and deeds OF trust,
building ground subsequent to the filing
section Of the act Of July 2,
1884, and all membranes and liens (other
than those which attached prior to the filing
Of said notice. which by the laws Of the Dis
trct are required to be recorded shall be post
poned to said liens unless recorded prior to the
date Of fling said notice.
THE WILSON BILL.
The second bill was introduced by Mr.. Will
son of West Virginia and is longer document.
This bill proposes to amend the Revised Stat
utes 80 as to make them provide that any con-
tractor, subcontractor, material man or laborer
furnishing material or supplies or labor for
the construction or repair OF any building
shall. if he DESIRES at the time Of entering into
a contract to perform labor or furnish material
or supplies, or during the performance Of
such contract, and not later than the compile
ton Of the contract, file notice OF lien in the
intention to hold the property, which shall be
fully described In the notice, and
which is made liable for any amount
that then is or that may thereafter be-
come due for labor performed or material and
supplies furnished and used for building or re-
and record such notice of lien, and on payment
or satisfaction of the claim II shall be the duty
of the party filing the lien to sign release.
The lien given when notice has been duly
filed shall have preference to all judgments,
mortgages, deeds of trust or other incum-
brances which are recorded and attached upon
the described premises subsequent to the date
Of fling the said notice of lien.
No conclusion was reached by the subcom-
mittee. -
THE FULL COMMITTEE.
At the meeting of the full committee several
l.
was not arrived at in any case. The bill charter
ing the suburban railroad and the bill prohibiting
the advertisement of lotteries in the District
were both taken up and discussed for few
minutes. 1t was seen, however, that no con-
clusion could be reached on these questions
and they gave way for a discussion Of the
liquor license question.
IN FAVOR OF HIGH LICENSE.
The committee evidently favor in this con-
nection the bill drawn up by Commissioner
Douglass, although the feeling seems
to be that this bill should be
amended SO to provide for license
fee OF $500 for Wholesale and 81 900 for retail
dealers instead Of $500 and $500 respectively.
The question was discussed for some time, but
the sudden opening of the fight on the silver
question in the House forced an adjournment
and the matter goes over.
PROVISIONS OF THE DOUGLASS BILL.
The Douglass bill. it will be remembered,
provides for $500 and $500 licenses and re-
| qurcs the written permission Of two-thirds Of
the persons owning real estate and
two-thirds Of the residents keeping
houses on the side Of the square where 1t is
desired to locate such business and on the side
corner is to be taken signers will be
| required on both streets. The Ii
| licenses are then to DO approved by
| the Commissioners and no liquor 10 to be sold
ards or inmates Of the Soldiers Home or on
Sunday or between IL o'clock midnight and
| o'clock am.
| Violation Of any of the provisions subjects
the party to fine Of from $500 to 1900, and on
the secon offense from $500 to $1,000 and to
paid-not exceeding one year nor less than six
| months.
The following persons are barred from re-
ceiving licenses: Any person within 400 feet Of
| a public school house owned or occupied by
| the District of Columbia.
| Any person convicted or pending appeal in
court during the preceding license year Of vio-
| lating any of the provisions Of the act, or who
has been convicted within the two preceding
license years Of having sold liquor without a
! license.
Any person employed in any capacity nnder
the District government, or to any other per-
son who by reason of any other employment or
business will be absent from the licensed place
! during business hours.
| In that portion Of the District of Columbia
outside OF tie cities of Washington and George
| town to any person whose place OF business "a
| within / 900 feet of another place licensed for
the same business.
The bill also provides that no person shall
under any license granted under this act EN-
| ploy or allow any female. other than his wife
or daughter, to sell or distribute any intoxicat-
ing drinks to any person or persons, nor shall
permit the playing of pool, billiards, or other
games in the room where such liquors are sold.
| BY the bill the number of licenses to be issued
| in the District is not to exceed 400.
| THE SENATE COMMITTEE.
| The Senate committee on the District had no
matter of largo public interest to wrestle with
this morning. Those present were Senators
Ingalls, chairman, Higgins. Harris. Vance
and Faulkner. Acts of the House tNos. 1919,
7l45 and 1850 for the relief Of Thomas j.
| Parker, Esther A. Keyser and certain prop
erty owners in this city were ordered
| favorably reported to the Senate.
| Senator Vance was instructed to ask that
House bill 1913, which provides that from and
after June go 1890, .'all rents for water and all
| taxes for water mains In the District OF CO.
lumbia shall be collected by the collector OF
taxes of the District OH blls prepared in accord
ance with the existing law by the assessor of
| the District" and which was fnvOrAbly reported
last week, be rccommitted TO the committee.
Senator Ingalls, bill to amend the laws of the