Evening star., 1896-12-16
LOCAL LEGISLATION
Important Meeting Of the House Dis
trict Committee.
COMMISSIONERS AND HEALTH OFFICER
Need Of Additional Sanitary Regu-
lations Set Forth.
OTHER MATTERS OF INTEREST

| The House District committee today gave
| hearing to the Commissioners upon some
pending bills relating to the sanitary con-
dition of the city. Mr.. Truesdeh. In De-
| half Of the Commissioners. said the con-
! dition Is bad. The death rate among the
colored people of the city is 81 per cent IN
| excess Of the rate among the white people
\ He thought this rate could be reduced by
additional ordinances.
Health Omcer Woodvvard's Views.
Health Officer Woodward said there
should be further laws relating to con-
| tagious diseases. Especially with regard to
cholera typhus and yellow fever. The reg
ulations relating to prevention OF the
spread of smallpox are insufficient. 1t Is
doubtful whether the old ordinances OF the
board of health would be sustained by the
court II the Issue were raised. The act to
prevent the soread Of scarlet fever and
dfphtheria has not worked satisfactorily
For instance, there is no penalty provided
for the removal of placards on infected
houses. new regulation is needed, there
fore. for those diseases also.
DR.. Woodward then read to the committee
the provisions of the bill. prepared by the
Conniss toner's, which has been heretofore
published In The Star.
Mr.. Odel of New York, a member Of the
committee, called attention to the provision
requiring vaccination and said the New
York courts have held that similar regu-
lation was unconstitutional
Or. Woodward then referred to the pro-
posed regulations concerning cemeteries,
which have also been published. He said
1t was desirable to regulate these places
and Its passage now Is rendered necessary
by tie proposed location Of a cemetery in
the suburbs. The bill also deals with the
question of crematories, no law now be-
| Ing in existence hearing this a11ht
The bill to regulate outhouses was also ex-
planned and commended to the committee.
More Tracks for Inauguration.
Commissioner Truesdell recommended the
reporting Of the resolution authorizing
steam railways to lay additional tracks for
the purposes of the Inauguration. The
,, resolution was fevorably reported by the
committee. Similar action was ordered On
the resolution authorizing the Secretary of
War to grant the use of public reservations
and streets fer the erection of stands.
Metropolitan hallway Extension.
A bill has been introduced in the House
by Mr.. Babcock providing that the Met
rcpolitan Railroad Company be authorized
to extend the lines Of its underground cleo
tric railroad from the intersection of Con-
necticut and Florida avenues northward
along Columbia road to point on the west
line of 18th street extended; provided, that
the extension be completed within six
months from the date of the passage Ct
thls act. The company Is authorized and
empowered to increase it's capital stock for
the purpose of making and equipping the
extension OF It's route authorized by this
act, but the amount of the capital stock
so to be Issued shall not exceed the cost
OF the making and equipment of the ex-
tension herein provided for. The Metro
&c,
issue such an additional amount of capital
stock as will provide for the conversion
into such stock Of its outstanding certifi-
Gates OF Indebtedness. amounting to $780,
OOO. heretofore issued for the completion
and equipment of Its road.
Chairman Babcock then called up the hill
Tor the extension of the METROPOLITAN rail-
way from the head of Connecticut avenue
10 lsth street. This bill, he said, was de-
manded by the residents of the neighbor-
hood.
Mr Truesdel1, who was present on other
business, was appealed to by the chair
man, and said the property owners with
one exception. along the proposed exten
sion are in favor of it, and demand it as a
necessity. He said the citizens for many
years nave asked for the extension. The
nelghborhood is building up RAPIDLY and
there are no means of transit
PRESIDENT Harries of the Metropolita n
railroad said the company was willing to
make the extension. 1t was not demanded
py the railroad company, as it will not he
a paying extension for several years. If
the bill Is passed, however, the comnanv
VIII go to work on the extension and COM
plete and equip it in conformity with the
requirements Of the bill.
Water Power ut Great Falls.
Senator Chandler of New Hampshire an
peared before the committee to advocate
early action upon the bill relating to the
water power at Great Falls. He said IT
was hoped to get the bill through the Sem
ate this week, and he desired to prepare
the way
The committee favorably reported the bill
for the extension of the Metropolitan rail-
road and the Senate bill for the relief Of
Emmart, Dunbar & Company