Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-11
DISTRICT IN CONGRESS.
The Sewer Bond Bill.

The sewer extension bond bill, as 1t Is
known, which provides for an issue of ST.
5OO,OOO in bonds for the purpose of extend
ing the street and sewer systems OF the
city into the suburbs. was Informally men
toned to the committee at the meeting.
Senator Proctor, who has the bill in charge,
announced that he had minor amend
ment to the bill called to his attention, to
which the Commissioners gave their con-
sent. 1t is OF no consequence to the prln-
cipal features OF the BILL and he was au-
thorized to report the amendment favor
ably to the Senate. Senator Proctor be-
lieveS that the bill can be brought up be-
fore the Senate at this session, and hopes
that action will be had upon it in time to
throw it into conference before the 4th of
March. 1t Is a House bill, but if passed
by the Senate it will he considerably
amended, and there will be some conten-
ton between the two houses as to it's de-
tails, especially with regard to the aSsump-
ton by the government of 80 per cent of
the expenditure. 1t is understood that the
House committee will accept the Senate's
position in favor OF the extension of the
80 per cent clause. and 1t is generally ex-
pected that, should the bill pass the Sem
ate's position on this subject will be finally
accepted, either by the House or in con-
ference. Senator Proctor consulted with
Senator CockrelL this morning as to the
prospect OF getting day for the conSidera-
ton OF the bill. Mr.. Cockrell, who is
virtually master of the Senate's time, by
appropriations committee, said that he was
in favor OF the bill, and hoped that a day
could be found for it's consideration. He
said he saw no reason why an afternoon
could not be devoted to it, after the pas
sage of the urgent deficiency bill. This Is
most uncertain date, as Mr.. Quay in
timated yesterday.
To Reduce Taxes.
Senator German today introduced bill,
which was referred to the District COM
mittee, reducing from per cent to l 1-2
per cent the annual tax upon the gross re-
ceipts upon the Georgetown and Tenley-
town, the Brightwood and the Rock Creek
railway companies. The charters Of these
companies now impose the per cent tax.
1t is provided that within sixty days from
the passage of the act these companies
shall make full payment of all arrears Of
taxes on a basis of IL per cent, which
shall be received as full payment.
A similar bill was introduced in the
House by Mr.. McKaig of Maryland.
TO Reduce the Tax Penalty.
Mr.. Baker of New Hampshire will intro
duce a bill in the House providing that
the penalty upon arrears of taxes shall
be reduced to 10 per cent per annum. He
attempted to accomplish this object by
an amendment to the District appropria-
ton bill yesterday, but 1t was ruled out
on a point of order Mr.. Baker thinks
that the passage of such law would re-
ieve the poorer classes of taxpayers from
a considerable burden imposed upon them
by the law fixing the penalty at 2 per cent
a month.
For Reciprocal Transfers.
Mr. Baker Of New Hampshire introduced
a resolution in the House today, which was
Immediately adopted, calling upon the Dis
trict Commissioners to report to Congress
without delay what, If any. reciprocal
transfer arrangements have been made by
the Metropolitan Railroad Company with
other street railway companies whose lines
now connect with it's line, as Is required
by the act of August Il, 1894, and If no
such arrangements have been made to re-
port the causes of delay and what railroad
companies, if any, have neglected or re-
fused to enter upon or approve such trans
fer arrangements.
Mr.. Baker said that he had heard
numerous complaints from citizens and
residents Of Washington as to the failure
of the street railway companies to carry
out the law of last session, which was
passed to give better transfer facilities. He
had heard that one street railway company
had absolutely refused to obey the law.
and said the object of his resolution is to
obtain official information on the subject
SO that proper action may be taken in the
premises,