The morning times., 1896-03-12

The Commissioners propose Il mcdifica-
ton OF a measure now pending in the
Senate, TO authorize Ieassessment OF
water main taxes, and Iotify tie Senate
District Committee OF their concurrence
with the amendment added. The modifi
cation strikes out the provision as 10 in
terest, and restores the bin 10 the form
in which il passed The EuuSe.
The amendment 10 the bill, proposed 10y
a. A. and T W. Birncy and by s. j.
Faguc * Son, eXempting cases pending in
the court is rejected by the Commissioners.
The bill, as il passed the House, the board
says is necessary to enable the Water
department 10 collect the as, essments due
and which may be set aside for mere
tcchnicaIities in making the !eNieS.
They add that the cases now in court.
which are intended 10 be covered by the
B:rncy and Fague amendment, have no
merit whatever. and should receive no
consideration.
IF The law is proper one" they say,
1T should be enforced alike against all
and no property should, through a mere
technically in The enforcement of the law,
bc allowed 10 shift ills part of this burden
on to prOpcrty or parties whose portions are
alrCad paid. -
EMPLOYERS LIABILITY.
Senate bill No. 14I5, relating TO the
liability of employers in the District TO
make compensation for personal injur-
les suffered by employees i'll their service
meets with the approval OF the Commits
sioncrs as wen as the attorney for the
District, and favorable action is recon-
mcndcd TO the Senate.
The board yesterday transmitted 10
Senator Mcmillan an opinion of Attorney
Thomas, in which they note concurrence,
rcciting in substance the same argument
tha: was made when the measure was be-
fore the House. Mr. Thomas says:
The general rule, resulting from con-
sidcrationS as wen OF justice as OF policy.
Is that he VINO engages in The empIoyment
OF another for the performance or Speci-
flee duties ana services, for compensation,
takes upon himself the natural ana ordin-
airy risks and pcrils incident TO the per-
formancc of such service" "
This general rule, with other proviS-
ions. however, as MIR. Thomas observes,
is laid down in the common las, ana has
been changed in 4 number Of the States,
and the object OF the present bill is 10
change the rule Is To the District.
Tie attorney and the Commissioners say
the common law rule is not just one, and
the bill Bnder consideration shouId be
passed.
The District Commissioners yesterday
transmitted TO Senator Mcmillan, in re
sponse TO an inquiry. a copy of report
made by Inspector or Buildings Brady rs TO
whether or noI there are any church struc-
lures or other buildings used for storage
purposes which are unsafe.
KNOWS OF BUT ONE.
Mr.. Brady says he knows of but one
church bBilding in the District that has
been used for storage or business purposes,
and that one is now being remodclled and
made safe.
In this connection" ," continues Mr.. Brady,
Il Will advance the information that the
new building regulations now under con
sideration by a committee of experts, will
cover the construction OF storage ware
houses. and buildings now used for the sale,
storage or manufacture of merchandise, 10
such an extent as To require the owner
or occupant to affiy and display consplc-
ously on each floor 4 placard stating the
load per square foot OF floor space that
may hc safely applied TO that particular
floor
Speaking OF the church edifices, Mr..
Brady states that he has had all OF the
houses of worship examined ana that all
have ample aisle space
In some of the churches however, which
were erected prior to 1876, the doors were
not properly hung, and in one church he
found a space devoted TO pews that should
have been utilized for aisle or lobby space,
10 provide means Of rapid egress. These
defects viii be rencdiel.
Mr.. Brady believes that when the new
building regulations shall be adopted there
will be no necessity for special legislation
upon the points raised.
NOT PHYSICALLY QUALIFIED.
Private Edward Douglas, lately appointed
10 Il position in the fire department service,
was yesterday ordered TO be discharged,
the dismissal 10 take effect on the 10Th in
slant, and 4 Ii. Lanahan was appointed TO
succeed him. Douglas was found to be
physically incapacitatrd for the duties.
The Commissioners yesterday forwarded
Ia both houses of Congress a copy Of a
communication from the National Capital
Investment Company. relative to the rent
OF the present municipal building. and
recommended an appropriation Of $4,000,
an excess OF 81 600 over the rent paid
under the existing contract, TO pay for
next years occupancy OF the building.
This is in accordance with the agree
mcnt made between the Commissioners
and the owners, and was estimated fer
In the boards annual report.
The Commissioners have forwarded TO
Chairman BabCock, OF the House District
Committee, "a recommendation upon the
bill pending for lie relief Of Kate Winter.
tie effect OF the measure being to quiet
Mrs winters title to certain real estate
mentioned.
Two appnca tions for retail liccases
were approved yesterday, as follows:
High View Club. No. % New Jersey avenue
northwest. Patrick j. Collins, No. 1900
Fifth street northwest.
The Commissioners yesterday author
lied the issuance, under the usual condi-
tioHs. of permit 20 Tie Western Union
Telegraph Company. TO repIace forty-cight
pCics on the line Of both branches OF the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, between
II street and Florida avenue northeast,
provided That the poles are placed within
the cOmpany'S right of way and that the
old poles are removed