Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-11

LAWS, WIN. r. MattlnGly, Isaac Z. Cnhde
Albert Gleason, Theo. r. Holbrook, L C.
Looniis and Ira J. Baker. The route of the
proposed railroad is rs follows: Commencing
| at the Intersection OF H and 18th streets north
east, thence via 18th street to Olivet street, to
| 10th or 18th, street as may be found most
suitable, Lafayette avenue, Cincinnati street.
oath street to Galveston street, with authority
! to use horse or other power, excepting only To-
| comotives propelled by steam, and to charge
for each passenger cents fare, and including
transfer cents; and also equal charge for
packages exceeding twenty-five pounds in
weight. II electric power is nsed it shall
be in conformity with the laws OF
| the District of Columbia, and the rail
used by said company, location OF
tracks and construction Of the railway
and buildings shall be subject to the approval
OF the Commissioners of the District. The
capital stock is not to exceed $500 900, stock to
be divided into shares Of $50 each. The bill
| provides that whenever a street railway track
shall be laid along Maryland avenue northeast
! this company shall have the right to extend Its
track along 18th street from H street north
east to Maryland avenue. The bill was accom-.
panied bya petition signed by residents OF
Trinidad. Ivy City. Winthrop Heights and
Lansdon, asking that the act Of incorporation
be granted with the right to extend branch
| from Ivy City to Brookland.
ADDITIONAL DISTRICT JUSTICES.
Senator Mcmillan today introduced bill to
! create additional associate justices Of the su-
preme Court of the District. The additional
justices arc to be three in number and they are
TO have the same powers. authority and Juris-
diction and receive the same salary as each OF
the other associate justices.
AN INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING.
Senator Mcmillan this afternoon introduced
the bill ito appoint an inspector OF plumbing
and for other purposes" printed fully in The
STAR some days ago. Accompanying the bill,
which came from the District Commissioners.
were the following reasons in its favor, signed
by Engineer Commissioner Rossell:
Existing law does not empower the Commits
sioners to establish any test of fitness for car
rying on the plumbing business. No matter
how inexperienced, ignorant or careless an
applicant for registration may DO, the
sanction to his engaging in the
plumbing business has been judicially
mentioned. In 1887 an attempt was made to
register only plumbers known to possess the
necessary qualifications for doing good work.
This attempt was defeated in the courts on the
ground of the inadequacy of the law.
2 The existing law also fails, the court holds, to
authorize any registration or licensing plumb
ers or other kind Of administrative control Of
the business of plumbing. 1t relates only to
plumbing work and not to the plumbers.
3. The existing law fails to provide for the
protection of public sewers. These are neces-
sarily cut and tapped by plumbers in making
house connections. This cutting and tapping
should be done only under strict regulation.
4. The existing law, it is contended. also fails
to authorize the Commissioners to require
bond from plumbers. This bond is required
in nearly all large cities of the country. and is
necessary id order tc protect the District Of
Columbia and individuals from damage or in
jury arising from carelessness or neglect on
the part Of plumbers.
5. 1t fails to provide for any inspection Of
the plumbing in old houses. No matter how
dangerous to health such plumbing may be the
existing law provides only for inspecting the
plumbing in houses in course of erection.
6. The existing law does not clearly author
| ize the Commissioners to charge fee for per-
mits to connect with sewers, &C.. or to make
excavations in the streets necessary for repairs
| to house sewers, &c. A moderate fee should
| be charged in these cases 10 bear the cost Of
! the necessary inspection. Charges of this kind
| are made in all large cities.
In general it may be said that the existing
law, enacted eleven years ago, is totally made
| quate to the present needs of the District of
Columbia The plumbing regulations based
upon this law are VIGOROUSLY defective and new
| ones cannot be enforced in the absence of the
i new legislation herein recommended.
THE HALL OF RECORDS.
Senator Vest reported favorably today from
the committee on public buildings and grounds
his bill making an appropriation of $500, 600
for the purchase Of ground and the erection
thereon, In this city, OF building to be
used as hall of records. The site
is to be selected by the Secretary of the Treas
ury, the Secretary of War and the Secretary of
State. In the building are to be stored such
public records as are not required in the vari-
Gus departments for constant reference. The
total cost of the site is not to exceed 800 900.
| TIE DISTRICT SUPREME COURT.
| Senator Mcmillan today introduced bill to
amend IAN act relating to the Supreme Court
of the District of Columbia" approved June
q, 1870. The bill provides that whenever is
| sues are found at special term held for or
phans' court business, which under the laws in
| force in the District of Columbi1 are required
| to be sent to the Circuit Court to be tried by a
| jury. it shall be lawful for the justice
holding the special term to order thai such
issues be tried by jury in said special term.
The verdict of this jury is to have the same
effect as if the issues had been tried in the Cir
cult Court aud the proct edings and the manner
| of reviewing them in the General Term are to
be the same as if the trial were had in the Cir
cult Court.