Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-10
DOLLAR GAS BILL
The Question Not Settled Today,
as Was Expected.
AGAINST LOCAL CIVIL SERVICE
Effort to Secure the Completion
of the Tunnel.
OTHER LOCAL MEASURES

come to a definite conclusion on the dollar
gas bill. It was the understanding between
the advocates and the opponents of the
bill In committee when the subject was
last under discussion that the matter
should be taken up for final disposition on
this date, and in accordance with that
agreement there was a fuller attendance
at the meeting this morning than at any
time previous this session. With the ex-
oeption Of Senator Hansbrough, who is abb
sent In North Dakota, every member Of the
committee was present. Senator Proctor
was little late in arriving. and the bill
was not taken up until he reached the COM
mtttee room. Senator Smith of New Jer-
sey, who was unaltera bly, opposed to the
measure, arrived few moments later, and
to the surprise of those awaiting the re-
suit outside of the doors, he left inside OF
fifteen minutes.
Want to Hear From Mr.. Wlnship.
After the meeting was over it was an
rouncec that certain members of the COM
mittee had expressed the desire to hear
further from Mr.. Winship, president of the
Georgetown Gas Light Company. on the
subject Of the price of gas across Rock
creek. a matter that has not been fully dis
cussed In committee. The House bill, which
Is now In the hands of the Senate COM
price of gas in Washington at 81 per thou
sand, and in Georgetown at 1.25, the diff
ference being due to the allegation of the
Georgetown company that the smaller
consumption on that side Of the creek will
not permit of the reduction of price to 81.
Mr.. Winship has already appeared before
the committee. but not at this session in
his capacity as the ostensiblc head of the
the last general hearing On the question on
behalf of the Washington company as an
expert In the price Of coal, ne being a coal
merchant and the purveyor of coal to the
Washington Gaslight Company. At this
mornings meeting 1t occurred to certain
members of the committee that Mr.. Win
ship had not been heard specifically on
the question of the cost to his company of
ton was made to postpone final action
on the bill until he could be heard. This
request was seconded by one or two other
Senators. and in difference to their wishes
understanding that Mr. Winship should be
heard before the full committee in open
session next Thursday afternoon, end that
the bill should be considered by the COM
II.
Local Civil Service Reform.
This unexpected clearing of the decks left
the committee free to take I'D a number
OF matters of more or less Importance
that have been pending for some time.
The most consequential Of these was the
bill S. 1852. which was introduced in Feb
ruary by Mr.. Lodge, under the title: "To
regulate appointments and promotions In
the municipal government of the District
Of Columbia and in the Offices Of the re-
corder of deeds and the register of wills
for said District of Columbia" This is
Familiarity known as the local civil service
reform bill, and gives the District Com
missioners power to place all of the mu-
nicipal Offices under the civil service law
and provides them with machinery for SO
doing. The Commissioners, 1t Is to be I'M
derstood in this connection. have hereto
fore endeavored to secure from the Presi-
dent an order exter ding the civil service
law to cover the District government but,
under the advice Of the Attorney General,
to do so Acting upon this the Commits
sioners some months ago instituted civil
service system Of their own, and the bill
introduced by Mr.. Lodge was intended to
formaliZe this action and to make the in
novatfon permanent.
Adverse Action.
The District committee, however, took an
adverse view of the situation, and without
coming directly to a vote on the question
decided to take unfavorable action upon the
bill. There was a good deal of discussion,
but the general trend Of opinion in the
committee Was that the civil service law as
further and the only one to openly cham
pioa the bill was Senator Proctor, whose
experience as Secretary of War, it is under
stood. has Convinced him Of the service
ability Of the civil service law in the admin
istration of great public department.
Although the committee took adverse ac-
ton and the bill was ordered to be re-
ported to the Senate with recommends
ton that it be Indefinitely postponed, Mr.
Proctor was given the right to make q
minority report favoring the passage of the
BILL in which he will probably be Joined by
several other members of the committee
Adverse action was ordered upon the bill.
Senate 1040. amending the act Of June 2
1890. for the relief of holders of District
of Columbia special assessment certificates
upon which the Commissioners made an
adverse report on the 31st Of March.
Favorable Reports Ordered.
Senate bill 1915 to redeem outstanding
certificates, issued by the board of public
works Of the District Of Columbia, was or
dered to a favorable report, after being
amended in accordance with the Commis-
sioners' recommendation.
Tho bill amending the act creating the
board Of children's guardians. Senate 2426
later in the day favorable report was
presented by Senator Gallinger, and the
bill was passed. It is intended to relieve
DR.. Gallaudet, president of the Deaf Mute
tion in all cases OF feeble-minded children
This formality has been found ito be un-
necessary.
The bill introduced by Senator Hoar to
regulate certain prosecutions in the Dis
trict. was ordered to favorable report in
the hands of Senator Faulkner. This bill is
intended to classify cases that now are
liable to fall under improper jurisdictions
It has been found that purely. municipal
prosecutions reached the United States
courts, and the bill is intended to cure that
error.
Senate bill 2521, to provide for the drain
age Of lots in the District, which was
dl avn by the Commissioners, was placed
in the hands of Senator Proctor. with in
structions to report favorably.
House bill 227, requiring bills Of sale, con-
ditional sales, mortgages or chattel deeds
of trust in the District to be recorded was
placed In the hands of Senators PritcharJ,
Faulkner and Martin. with authority to
rerort favorably when the bill shall have
been phrased to their satisfaction.
The Fnrmers' Market.
Ser ate bill 2e36, establishing . farmers
market in the District, which has received
the ssncticn Of the Commissioners, was or.
dered to q favorable report when the sub
committee, consisting Of Senators Martin
0allinger and Proctor, are satisfied AZ te