The morning times., 1896-03-31

the proper time they VIII vote TO grant
the franchise TO the Capital Traction Com
pany.
The extension sought, in bill before
Congress, provides for continuation of
the Columbia road from its present western
terminus TO the river. by way of Fifteenth,
II, Seventeenth and + streets and New
Hampshire avenue and q streets. The bill
also contains a provision for the consolida-
ton OF the Columbia with the Metropolitan
line.
The Commissioners say, In commenting
upon the measure, that they carefully in
veStigate1 the subject when it was before
them in 1894. AT that time the Washing
ton and Georgetown Railroad Company was
before Congress asking for substantiallythc
same privilege, and the Capital Traction
Company, the successor OF the Washington
and Georgetown Railroad, has bill pend
ing in the present Congress under which II
Is asking for the same extension.
AS IL result of their study OF the situa tion
as then presented the Commissioners felt
obliged, they say, To report against the
Columbia proposition, and they are still
opposed TO il, and cite, as an additional
reason for objection, the fact that the
Columbia Company asks for the privilege
thence TO Seventeenth on II street.
REASONS FOR oBJECTING.
This is deemed to be highly undesirable,
since il viii necessitate the occupation OF
the space at Fifteenth street and New York
avenue with another set or tracks and
the Introduction of a third set OF curves.
AS part compensation for this adverse
action, however, the Commissioners approve
of the extensions asked for on Bladensburg,
Benning and nacostia roads. After citing
the fact that the Columbia Suburban and
the lexington and Soldiers Home Railway
Companies are seeking the right to the
territory east of Fifteenth street and
beyond the eastern boundary 10 the Dis
trict the Commissioners decide that the
Columbia Is better equipped than the
lexington 10 make the extension, and as
the charter for the Columbia Suburban ex-
pired in 892, the Columbiai is best entitled.
They accordingly present substitute
bill, which embraces the eastcrly exten-
sions asked for by the Columbia Company,
and also providing for the consolidation
OF the Columbia with the Metropolitan.
There is q clause i u the bin for the
widening of the Bladensburg, Benning and
Anacostia roads, and other provisions,
also which the board deems to be necessary
for the better protection of the public.
FAVORABLE EACTIONASKED.
Senate bin 2I63 wasreturned to Congress
yesterday by the Commissioners with
recommendation for It's ena actment. IT
provides that violations of certain acts
cited shall be prosecuted in the name OF the
District instead OF the United States,
and embraces offenses as follows:
Violations, respectively, of the act
for the removal OF ice aud snow from the
sidewalks and for other purposes; vio-
lations of the law against the use or false
weights and measures; violations of the law
regulating the practice OF dentistry; viola
tions of provisions of The law 10 regulate
steam engineering; violations of Insurance
laws; violations Of the fire escape law;
violations OF the pharmacy laws, and
violations of the law MS 10 dog tax.
The Commissioners forwarded 10 Senator
Mcmillan yesterday their report upon
Senate bin 1659, 10 amend the law as TO
married women's rights in Jaw and equity,
and 10 make parents the natural guardians
of their minor children.
They make no recommendation as 10 the
bill. but transmit letters from Attorney
for the District Thomas, Mrs. Ellen Spencer
Mussey and Attorney j. ]. Darlington,
respectively, as 'the best means of adj
vislng'' Congress as TO the need ef such
legislation.
Mr.. Darlington makes close careful
analysis OF the measure in an opinion
covering six large type written pages. He
takes up the bill by sections and offers
criticisms and suggestions of amendment
of each. Mrs. Mussey approves OF the
intent of tie measure and also suggests
amendments, while Attorney Thomas passes
upon the bill as to its form, and recon-
mendS where there should he changes made,
and the three critics a gree upon the
necessity for such legislation and practically
indorse the bill as amended.
AS TO LAND TITLES.
The Commissioners are frequently called
upon TO pass officially upon bills sintroduced
in Congress TO quiet the titles To lands
claimed by individuals but in which the
United States government had vested rights.
Although not specially within their 1u-
risdiction, the board usually passes the
papers in the cases to the Attorney General
in due time receive them back again and
then report upon them and forward them
to Congress.
The latest of these bills was one in favor
| OF Allen c. Clark, which passed from the
| Commissioners to Attorney General Har-
! mon and by his direction an investigation
was made. The result is that Assistant
Attorney Taggart suggests that thorough
| examination be ordered by Congress into
the title of all parcels of land in the District
| formerly held by the United States or in
which the general government had an
| interest.
1t is presumed that the investigation may
| take wide range. and that If nothing more
be accomplished it viii at least develop
an omnibus plan of quietipg titles and
| avoid the multitude of individual bills
at each session of Congress.
Favorable action was recommended by
the Commissioners yesterday upon Senate
| bill 1855. for the incorporation of asso
! Citations for the Improvement of stock and
for other purposes. This is the measure crit,
icised by DR.. Crofts OF the national bureau
of reforms as opening the door to race
track gambling.
AGREES WITH EXISTING LAW.
Several minor amendments 10 the bill
are suggested by the Commissioners and {
letter ofAttorney S. T. .Thomasisfor warded
In which he and District Attorney Biruey
seem to agree, to the effect that the bill
will not infringe existing law as to book
making and other forms of race gambling
1t is entirely within the range of early
probability that the Commissioners viii
ask early consideration by Congress of al
amendment to the law governing license.
in the District which will require in
dividuals who pose as guides to strangers
and who prosecute that calling under The
protection OF fake badges, TO take out q
| license each as a requisite TO permission
to continue in the calling.
Commissioners Ross was asked this morn
ing for his views Of the proposition and
said he had not thought of the necessity fol
such an amendment until he read what was
said OF the matter in the papers. He was
glad, he said, to be reminded of it and would
place the proposition before the board
He thought it should be agitated.
1t is understood that the reputa BILE
| guides are anxious TO have such a Law