The morning times., 1895-12-29
DEALERS MUST RIif T7!s 7sse
Merchants Selling Dangerous
Weapons Must Report Sales.
NEW BILL WAS DRAWN UP
1t VIII He Presented In Congress-
Next Week-NO One Can Sell These
Articles without u License and
Monthly Report to the ePolice-Other
News From the District Building.

The Commissioners have approved bill
to amend the law regarding the carrying
or selling dangerous weapons. The chiel
purpose is TO fix a penalty for selling with
out license and To relieve dealers of tho
necessity of making weekly reports.
Inspector Hollinberger, on December 8
called attention to the defective condition
OF the present law. He pointed out that
the provision forbidding sales without
license makes the penalty 500 TO $500
fine, but fixes no alternative, in case the
offender should not be able to pay the fine.
His suggestion was that term in Jail
with six months limit be set in default
OF payment OF the fine.
Inspector II ollinberger said, too, the
weekly report was hardship. Some small
dealers would not sell more than one razor
a week, and the notary's fee of 20 cents
took on nearly all the profit. Further
more, report made less frequently would
serve his office just as well. He there
fore, recommended n report monthly and
$50 fine for failure TO report.
PREPARED A DRAFT.
Thematter was referred to commissioners
attorney, Thomas, for an opinion. He
replied Monday saying Mr.. Hollinbergcr
was correct as TO the need of amendment
of the law, and sent q draft OF bin en-
bodying the inspectors suggestions except
as TO the $50 fine for failure to report. The
draft vii, probably be forwarded TO Con-
grcSs next week.
II is likely before the measure is enacted
into law another feature which has been
found unsatisfactory will be overhauled.
This is the clause naming such weapons
as shah be considered dangerous. 1t has
given much trouble To the prosecuting attor-
ney under the law to show conclusively
that any weapon not named in the law
is 10 be ciassed as dangerous. The list
is "daggers, air-guDs. pistols. bowie-knives,
dirk-kniyes, or dirks, black jacks, raZors,
razor blades, sword canes, slung shots,
brass or other knuckles." This leaves out,
among others, the ordinary pockct-knife,
which may have a blade Of such length
and keenness as TO make IL more deadly
than several of those named.
The Commissioners recommended an ap-
preparation to be Immediately available to
provide for the payment OF force to
man the new truck-IIouse d, at New Jersey
avenue and NJ street. The figures are as
follows: One tillerman at $40 year;
one hostler $50, and nine privates, $500
each.
NO MONEY FOR MEN.
Asstated IN The Times, the last Congress
failed to make an appropriation for men
for the house. The department is therefore
obliged to weaken existing companies in
order to supplymeD for the new house, which
was completed and accepted Some weeks
ago. An examination will be held in .Ianu-
ary to get capable truckmen. When ap-
pointed these new recruits viii be assigned
to the old companies while the company for
truck d will be made up of experienced men,
whose places will be thus supplied.
The Commissioners lave ordered that
every applicant for appointment as private
watchmaD shall makehis applcationupona
blank form substantially similar 10 that
used for the regular police force. This does
not apply, however, To employees of the
Federal government whoneed police powers
in the exercise of Office. Tie purpose is TO
keep a stricter watch over the character
of officers OF this class.
A. j. Collins was yesterday awarded a
contract to furnish broken stone on the
Broad Branch road at ninety cents per
cubic yard.
Charles Burke. fireman, at his own re-
quest. has been reduced TO tile rank of
watchInan in the place of James Lowe de-
ceased. The pay of the two positions is
the same, $500 year, while the duties OF
watchman do not demand So much activity
and are not So perilous, though more con-
slant.