Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-15
PROVIDING A SALARY,
The Senate District Committee Alters
the Sealer of Weights Bill.
Other Bills Acted ON Today Favor
able and Unfavorable Reports
Members Present Today.

The Senate District committee met at
1870 this morning and were in session for
over two hours. A great deal of business
was transacted. The important question
over the reorganization of the office Of the
sealer of weights and measures was solved.
There has been a bill introduced in each
house providing for the appointment Of a
sealer and an assistant sealer to be paid
by fees at the rate Of 81 for each inspec-
ton made. The House bill was passed. con-
tanning a very loosely drawn section, which
practically gives the sealer power to inspect
the weights and measures as frequently as
he pleases and the only limitation was that
he should inspect at least twice a year, that
he might inspect 800 times If he chose to do
so. and receive 81 each time from each place
Of business.
When the bill was taken UP today by the
Senate committee this defect was noted
and 1t was argued that the inspection Of
weights and measures should not be made
burden upon the storekeepers of the city,
but that the Office be salaried and no tax
! should be placed upon the shopkeepers and
others, excepting the general tax for the
support of the District government. Sena-
tor McMlllin presented these views clearly
and strongly and he was directed by the
sented in rough form. This bill provides
for the appointment Of a sealer at a salary
OF $2.OOO year and an assistant sealer at
81 200 a year. The district Commissioners
are TO furnish him with an office in a CEN
trail portion of the city and also with a
horse and wagon and a laborer when he
may need one. There are to be no fees for
inspection whatever Under the present law
the sealer Is a feed officer and his total in
come is between $4,000 and 5000 a year.
Senator McMillin is directed by the commit
both the Senate bill and that which came
from the House.
Favorable Reports.
Favorable report was ordered. with GER
tain amendments, on the bill to simplify
the form Of deeds Of conveyance, trust
and releases. which is in charge Of Senator
Faulkner. The amendments are purely
technical.
Senator Proctor was directed to report
favorably the House bill, making service
connection with water mains and sewers
and recommending an indefinite postpone
ment OF the Senate bill. Senator Faulkner
was directed to report. with amendments,
the bill to open widen and extend alleys.
Other Actions.
The bill to open minor streets was reject
ed by the committee. and an adverse report
was ordered on it. An adverse report was
also ordered on the bill for the relief of
John w. Daniel The House bill for clos
Ing alleys from square ISL was ordered
to be reported favorably. and the Senate
bill postponed indefinitely. Similar action
was taken on the bill to release and turn
over to Mrs. Mary. o. Augusta certain
property in the District.
The House bill extending North Capitol
| street to the Soldiers Home will be re-
ported favorably in lieu OF the Senate bill
to the same effect. A favorable report was
ordered on the bill s. 1897, authorizing the
attorney for the District and his assistants
to administer oaths and affirmations This
bill was introduced day before yesterday by
Senator Hunton.
The meeting this morning was attended
by Senators Harris, Faulkner, Hunton,
Martin. Mcmillan, Hansbrough and Proc
tor. The sealer OF weights and measures
for the District. Mr. Bond, appeared before
| the committee and was examined at length
as to the duties OF his office and its re-
| Quirements.