The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-02-15
Pennsylvania Legislature.


panies and heat and power companies in the
various cities OF the commonwealth, and the
relations of such companies to consumers.
The board Is to consist OF a chief inspector
at n salary of ~ 600 year, and six assist
ant inspectors at sa aries of $4,000 a year.
The chief inspector Is to give bond for sl0,.
900 and the assistants 10000 each for the
proper performance of their duties Thirty
days after his appointment and annually
thereafter, the inspector shall furnish the
auditor general com plete list OF all such
companies In the State, and statement OF
their condition with regard to all branches
of the business. He shall require from the
companies a complete map of all service
mes. and each artificial gas company shall
furnish him with full information concern
ing the process of manufacture and ingredi.
ents of its product There Is a fine OF $500
provided for on the companies for violating
any part of the law
The measure fixes maximum price of
l.25 per 100 for rificial gas. l2i cents per
1000 feet for natural gas and for electricity
II cents per Pennsylvania unit. Artificial
gas must be furnished consumers at light.
ing power of 10 candles All meters shall
be tested upon the request of the consumer,
and IL found defective, the tests shall be
paid for by the company; II not defective
by by the S''' consumer. % The p"fG principal %
offices shall be in Harrisburg, with branch
offices at Philadelphia and Pit,sburg. The
measure also provides .ior the method OF
has several paragraphs relating to contracts
between companies and consumers, tending
to put them on more equitable standing
with regard TO each other.
Senator McCreary of Erie introduced by
request bill to correct what the me 'sure
termed the growing practice of courts TO
hold secret sessions. II is alleged, without
specifications, in the bill that such practices
exist contrary to law, and that they are be-
coming more frequent in occurrence. The
balance OF the senate session was taken up
with routine measures.
message was received from the cover
nor announcing his approval of the concur
rent resolution asking that every honorably
discharged soldier b. placed on the pension
roll. and protesting against the alleged
striking down of pensions.
The house session commenced ut 8 o clock
and lasted about half all hour. Both the
btuminous bills were recOmmitted unread
to the mines and mining committee for 8
further hearing.
EiGHr:rNrH DAY.-In the Senate today
a large number of remonstrances from re.
ligious organizations against any modifica.
ton of the Sunday laws of 1904, were pre-
sented. Bills were introduced as follows:
Baker, Delawarc-To prohibit conditional
rebates for the sale of alcohol for medicinal
purposes. Brown, Franklin-To repeal the
act relating to the granting of letters of ad-
ministratiOn on the estates of persons pre-
sumed to be dead by reason of long absence
from their former domicile Brown. West
moreland-To authorize aldermen and 9th.
er magistrates having jurisdiction to enter
judgment for costs in case where parties
charged with crime are dismissed on exam
ination. The bill to abolish the Philadel-
phia Public Building Commission was IA
vorably reported The following bills were
passed finally: Confering on school boards
power to sell school property; giving Dau-
phin county judges additional clerical as.
sstance Judge Arnold's bill authorizing
trial of issues of fact on statement and aifi
davit of defense and to establish liability of
endorsers of negotiable instruments. The
Senate then adjourned.
In the House, bills were introduced as fol-
lows: Keariis, llegheny-Allowing judges
to change the polling places before or after
election proclamations are issued. McCor
mick Requiring owners OF leins mortgages
or other judgments to pay county and local
taxes the same as real estate. The bill to
protect miners in the anthracite coal regions
of Pennsylvania was called up and amend.
cd so as to apply only to men working by
the ton. II was then laid over. The fol
lowing bills passed finally; An act to en-
power cities and boroughs of the Common
wealth to appropriate money for the pay
ment of fremen In service and of tiremen
not in service, disabled in the performance
of their duties supplement to an act regu-
lating lateral railroads, changing the method
of issuing damages TO land owners in certain
cases; providing for the conveyance and de-
livery of power, oil and tools to the miners
IN the anthracite coal mines; to prevent the
sale and manu- acture of cigarettes, render
ing woman eligible to the office of notary
public increasing the maximum punish
ment for the first con viction Of murder in
the second degree to % years. The House
adjourned until tomorrow
NINETEENTH DAY-In the senate this
morning Mr.. Steele, of Allegheny county,
introduced q bill for better securing the
public safety in the operation Of steam rail-
roads by furnishing trespassing on railway
property and compelling railroad tracks in
cities and boroughs TO be fenced in.
Mr. Laughbach introduced one granting
street railway companies the privilege OF
carrying merchandise now carried by ex-
press companies.
The Fow rapid transit bill consumed the
balance of the day. when the senate ad-
journed until Monday night.
In the House, Lemon, Of Allegheny, in
troduced by request bill for the protection
OF fish.
A bill was introduced by Cessna, Of Bed
ford, to protect contractors and su6-con,.
tractors who furnish material for railroad
companies.
The country members Of the legislature
held meeting last night and decided to ,op'
pose the repeal OF the oleomargarine law
and kipps trespass bill.
Mr.. Fow's rapid transit bill came up in
the house on second reading, ana consideia'
BILE speech making was INDUCED in over It's
! provisions. II was under discussion whe"
the house adjourned.
TWENTIETH uDAy-Senate-not In session