Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-29
DISTRICT IN CONGRESS.
The Senate Committee to Report Against New
Street Railroads.

Street Railroads.
When Senate committee has been in session
for an hour it generally gets tired. The Senate
District committee used to do that. but 1t is a
new organization now and composed of very
vigorous materials This morning it commenced
its regular weekly meeting at 1890 and 1t con-
tinued to do business until O'Clock.
The members present were Senator's Mcmillan
(chairmau), Higgins, Gallinger, Perkins, Har-
ris, Vance and Faulkner. Senator barbour s
absence was caused by sickness.
1t seems to be settled fact that people who
are looking for street railroad charters from
this Congress will be doomed to disappoint-
ment unless they have something stronger be-
sonal profit. The Senate committee
does not approve of the practice of granting
charters to all comors; it does not favor the
giving away Of valuable franchises solely
for the benefit OF those who put the
first mortgage bonds or the stock on the
market and then lose all interest
in the proceedings. The committee is Of
opinion that Washington has suffered suffi-
GENTLY from such practices, SO the Senators
are going to be extraordinarily care
full. Whenever there is strong public
sentiment in favor Of increased trans
portation facilities the Committee will
endenvor to have oue Of the established compa-
MES 20 supply the demand by branch roads.
in pursuance Of this policy TIE committee to-
day decided TO report adversely on the bill 10
incorporate the Washington and Deanwood
Railway Company. S,mila: reports vii. be
made OH similar bills aS soon as re committee
has chance to reacn them.
The bill to prevent cruelty to children and
for other purposes was very fully discussed by
the committee. Some o. the references in the
bill to the present law were not quite under
stood, and tue committe3 did not desire to
recommend FOR enactment bill which should in
any manner lie faulty 1t was tinai!y decided to
let it go over til the next meeting. In the
meantime .he present law and the proposed
amen1me, IS viii be carefully considered, and
the committee expects as result to produce a
measure that shall be perfectly satisfactory to
the friends of humanity.
The bill to confer upon the Commissioners
of the District tie power and authority here
tofore existing in the mayor of the city Of
Washington iii TIE matter OF opening, altering
and changing alleys was believed to be some
what ambIS uous. No one seemed to know
how much power the mayor used to have. SO it
was decided to defer consideration OF the bill
until Senator Higgins should have had an op-
portunity to confer upon the subject with the
attorney for the District.
Senator Vance Wa. authorized TO report favor
ably the bill for the relief OF the heirs OF Ma
| thaniei Magrujer.
Senator Perkins was empowered to report
favorably the bill to authorize tue district
Commissioners to- grant pardons and respites
in certain cases. Before that is done, however,
Senator Perkins may probably amend the
measure somewhat, SO tnat it win conform
with one or two ideas advanced at the meeting
today.
Authority was given Senator Vance to report
with an amendment Hous, bill to amend the
general incorporation law Of the District. The
Senator when he reports the same will ask for
| a committee OF conference on the part Of the
House.
Some consideration was given the bill to
| amend the charter of the lexington and
Soldiers Home Railway Company, and it was
decided to grant interested parties hearing at
IL O'Clock tomorrow.
STREET EXTENSIONS.
Then the question of street extension came
/ up. On this important subject Justice Harlan
| Of the Supreme Court of the United States had
something to say. He thought the committee
! should protect property holders on
| streets already laid out and running
| east and west. Justice Harian's sugges
| tons were we'll received and the bill
was amended SO as to conform with the views
| views he advanced. When the subcom-
mittee gets through doing what the committee
has instructed it to do the bill will be reported
| TO the Senate. When it comes to doing the
| work provided for in the bill the Senate COM
mittec will have something more to say.
Senator Mcmillan was instructed to make
| favorable report on the bill to authorize the
appointment of an inspector of plumbing.
| and the same instructions were given
| the same Senator as to the bill to
prevent fraud upon the water revenues of the
| District. There seems to be some misunder.
standing as to the character Of this latter
| measure. 1t is not bill to
provide for the compulsory use OF
| water meters by all water takers; it is aimed
| at those proprietors of large establishments in
| which meters are in use and who
endeavor to evade their obligations by
| unostentatiously tapping main, that
| they may not have to pay for all the water they
| use. Several peopl. failed to understand the
measure and they have been pleading with the
committee to report it adversely.