The morning times., 1896-05-08
is MORE TO THEIR L|Kliii6G !
Commissioners Amend Bill Re-
Iating TO Probate of Wills.
RECORDS MADE EVIDENCE
Where II Is Shown That the Instru-
ment Had Been Attested by Three
Shall Be Received AS Testimony in
Suits-Regulation of Labor Question.

With the addition of three new sections,
framed by Attorney Thomas. the Commits
sioners have recommended favorable action
upon the bill before Congress which re-
lates to the probate of wills in the Dis
trict, and those sections, numbered 3, 4
and B, are prepared and forwarded.
They provide in substa nee. that the
record in the office of the Register of Wills
OF any will or codicil heretofore filed or
deposited, the execution of which shall
appear to have been attested by three or
more subscribing witnesses, shall be adj
mitted as competent evidence, prima facie,
in proof OF title TO real estate, or to any
right or interest claimed under such will
or Codicl.
This evidence shall have the same effect
in suits at law aud in equity hereafter
brought that the original viii or codicil
would have il produced and the due eX-
ecution thereof proved, aud the same as
if such viii or codicil had been duly adj
mitted TO probate as a will of real estate.
The foregoing provisions are contained
in tht'new section numbered 3. The fourth
section prescribes that the record in the
office of the Register OF Wills of certi-
fled copy, under the hand and official
seal or the proper officer. OF any Will
or codicil heretofore or hereafter ad-
mitted to probate, the record showing the
same to have been duly attested by three
or more subscribing witnesses. shall also
be admitted as evidence prima facie. to
the same extent as in the case OF tho
admission noted in the third section. and
as If such Will or codicil had been admitted
TO probate in the District.
CONFERs NEW POWERS.
The added section, numbered 4, pre-
Vides that in addition TO the jurisdiction
now possessed by the supreme court of the
District to admit TO probate wills and
testaments as TO personal pre- perty, power
shan be given it TO admit to probate as
will of real estate any paper or instrument
written or printed, that may be hereafter
presented as last will aud testament or
codicll, which shall appear to have been
properly executed and atteSted under ex-
listing law, to pass title 10 real estate, aud
the record OF such paper shall be admitted
is evidence in ike manner and with like
effect as provide for in the other sections
quoted In resrect of the records of other
Wills and codicils.
The District Commissioners, upon further
and more careful considera tion, have
come to the conclusion that the regulation
of the labor question can best be ccom-
plished by passing, as a substitute mecs-
ure, bin leaving to their discretion when
and under what conditions day labor shall
pe CiiHiONeu OF DuDDC WErkS.
Referring to their letter of March "a. in
respect TO House bill 6746, intended to
provide for the abolition of contract work,
the board suggests the enactment of
measure entitled, "a bill empowering the
employment of day labor in the construction
of certain municipal buildings and works"
WHAT IT PROVIDES.
That Dill stipulates that hereafter the
Commissioners OF the District may in their
discretion cause TO be erected by, day labor
instead of under contract all buildings
authorized to be constructed for the Dis
trict under appropriations made by Con-
gress and may likewise cause to be done
by day labor such other municipal works
in said District as in the judgment of the
Commissioners it may be in the public
interest to do in tha tInanner.'
The bill is forwarded to Chairman Bab-
cock, of the House District co ommittee, with
a request for its special consideration.
An odd incident is disclosed in the Com,
missioners' official letter book. j. J.
Callahan, whose residence is given as No.
ITO Langton street, San Francisco, ad-
dressed the District officials lately, In
quiring for information as TO whether OF
not his fathers uncle had died in Washing
ton, but neglected the mostimportant item
that the Commissioners required for the
suggested invC stiga tion-hes omitted his
relatives name. He has been. requested
to supply the omission.
The regulation adopted with reference to
the clearing OF the guttek and sidewalks
| of snow, ice and the washinEs from abutting g
| lots has a clause In it of doubtful con-
struction, and which makes it apparently
| imperative outside OF the city.
The North Capitol and lexington Citi
zen's Association have asked for an opinion
as to whether it cannot be made to apply
| in their section, and the matter has been
| referred to Assistant Attorney Pugh.