The Washington times., 1895-01-29
D0|NGS OF THE DISTRICT
Mr.. Thomas Disapproyes Of Bill
to Regulate Railway Wages.

Commenting upon House bill No. 2434. 'to
regulate the wages of street car conductors
and drivers" and other purposes. Attorney
Thomas in an opinion fled yesterday. says:
"Whilst labor is property, and merits pro-
lection, L think this bill goes too far. II is
perfectly competent for Congress to fix the
hours of labor as between private corpora
tions and their employees, but L doubt the
right of Congress to fix the wages or compen-
sation for labor. except upon government or
municipal work.
1.-The bill is otherwise Objectionable. 1t
makes no provision for payment OF the arbi-
traitors, and the decision of the arbitrators is
binding only on street railway corporations
1.-The right proposed TO be conferred upon
employees to sue and recover their wages.
and which makes the judgment in such
suits first lien upon all the property OF
street railroad corporations. is extraordi-
nary
In the next place, the proposition 10 give
such employees rights superior TO those pos
sessed by any other class OF citizens, es-
pecially in so far as prior liens upon the
property OF such corporations is concerned,
would be in violation of the Constitution. -
w. L. Foley obtained a permit yesterday
for the construction of dwelling on River
road. Anacostia, $780,
Permits for repairs were obtained as fol-
lows: Henry Steinberg, improvements to
store, No. 1901 and 1903 Z street northwest,
S400; Miss Laura Dyson, repairs and addition
to store and dwelling, No. lOl Seventh street
southeast, $4,000.
The District Commissioners have agreed
upon a bill prepared by the health officer,
which will be submitted TO Congress to-day
Tor enactment. authorizing the Commissioners
to make, modify, and enforce, under pre-
{
regulations rs may be necessary to promote
and maintain the public health.
Such regulations shall include in their pro-
4 visions proper care as TO the sanitary condi-
! ton OF premises and OF cars. boats. and pub
! lie conveyances; the location and govern
ment of cemeteries, bakeries. slaughter
houses. markets. laundries, and places OF
offensive business; the propagation and sale
| OF vaccine virus, diphtheria anti-toxine. and
similar substances; the prevention OF the In
! PRODUCTION and spread OF contagious and in
/ fectious diseases, and gives control OF other
1 matters
4 1t also amends the act, approved October
u, 1888. TO prevent the manufacture or sale
| of aduIterated food. by transferring TO the
custody OF the District officials all matters in
that connection which have hitherto been in
charge of the commissioner of internal
/ revenue.
Attorney S. T. Thomas returned to the
/ Commissioners yesterday, with an opinion,
House bill No. 659s. ''to amend sections us
and 720 OF the Revised Statutes Of the United
States" relating to marriage in the District.
Mr.. Thomas says in his opinion, there is
no occasion TO amend the law by allowing
justices Of the peace TO offieiate. He SAYS
the provision permitting nonresident min
listers to celebrate marriage in the District is
already law.
There are three applicants whose papers
are on file for the position that Major Roome
will vacate by resignation. These are James
F. Duhamel. George W. Trow. and James r.
| Garrison. The friends of John Daniel anC
Col. a. Ii. Holt, respectively. haye been talk
ing of their qualifications The Commission
ers have been too busy since Major ROomt
resigned TO give the matter OF choosing hi!
successor much attention.