The morning times., 1896-01-30
LET CITIZENS Be HEARD j.
Commissioners Heard Argu-
rlents on Local Measures.
THE TRACTION CO.'S PROMISE
President Dunlop Says He VIII at
Once Observe the Near-Side Order,
Although Other Cities Have Aban-
doned Their Efforts I'm That Direc-
tiOn-Marlboro Railroad Bill.

The Commissioners gave public bearing
yesterday to a number OF persons upon va
rious topics of public interest. The board
did not meet at / / O'Clock, the usual time.
owing to previous engagements, but an
hour later the session opened.
Attorney Blair Lee, who represents
large number of citizens Interested In the
extension asked for by the Brightwood
Street Railway. was before the board to
discuss the provisions Uf the bill now be-
fore Congress. o..
Mr.. Lee said he thought there should be 4
provision authorizing The Commissioners
10 regulate the running of the cars. There
is no penalty, he said, which enables the
board to compel obedience 10 its ordinances.
1t was decilcd to await Congressional
action on the pending amendment before
instituting quo warranto proceedings.
Mr.. Solomon j. Faguc WAS also before
the board to ask that certain securities
heretofore. issued by the District shall
be included in pending bills introduced for
the exemption OF outstanding certificates.
MIR. DUNLoP's PROMISE.
President Dunlop and supt. d. j. Carl,
of the Capital Traction Company, called TO
announce that orders had been given to the
trainmen 10 observe the new regulation
promulgated for governing the running
OF street cars, and to discuss other pro-
visions OF the order.
The new rule, President Dunlop said,
would be enforced at once in the matter of
stopping on the near side of the street, and
the other requirements would bc met as
promptly as possible.
Heidi not knowof the prOmUlgaticEofthc of the
order until advised OF It yesterday. He
had not read ii, but had been told OF its
provisions, and the company had no dis posi-
ton to combat any of them. on the CON
trary, the Officials are ready to acquiescc.
Mr.. Dunlop said the company could not
supply the gates at once, but would dc so.
would subserve, however, as it would
entail an expense Of about $1,000 to fur
nish the equipment.
WILLING TO TRY IT.
Speaking OF the order respecting the
stops at crossings both nf the railway Of
ficials said the plan had been abandoned
in Detroit, but they were quite willing To
try the experiment here.
Senator Sewell called on the Commits
sioncrs also 10 ask, In behalf Of the Balti-
more and Potomac Railway Company, that
The company engineers shalt be- heard before
the board takes official action upon the
bill now under consideration which pro-
yides for the abolition of the grade cross
ings on streets traversed by that road.
The Commissioners have authorized the
return of the bill introduced in the House of
Representatives by Mr.. Coffin, to amend
the act authorizing the extension of the
Washington and Marlboro Electric Railway
into the District, with an adverse recon-
mendation.
Senate bill, 40a, to provide for the in
corporation of THE National Capital Gas
light, Heat and Power Company OF the
District, does not meet with the 8pproba-
ton of the District Commissioners. The
bill was returned to Senator Mcmillan yes
terday, with recommendation for adverse
action.
In their letter of transmission the Com
missioners say they do not consider it wise
to authorize the tearing up of street pave
ments for the purpose OF laying q second
setofgas mains, ,inviewof the Congressional
control of existing companies with reference
TO Illuminating power, quality and price
of gas and every other matter concerning
present gas company charters, and also in
view of expected legislation which con-
templates the municipal lighting of public
spaces and buildings by electricity gen
Grated by the power OF Great Falls.
PUBLIC OWN THE sUBWAYs.
After referring to their previous recon-
mendations for the reduction of the price
OF gas and an Improvement of the quality,
the Commissioners express the opinion that
the subways in public spaces should belong
to the public, and there is not sufficient
reason in this case TO warrant a departure
from that policy.
Upon the request of Register of Wills ].
Nota McGill, the Commissioners yesterday
transmitted to Congress recommendation
for the Introduction of an item of $1,000
to enable the register to perfect the
records of his office.
Many of the wills on file have not been
properly recorded, and the register regards
this omission as of considerable gravity.
IL II II sbhtNt VI tlfdN hNatN
annoyance to all who call to examine the
ancient records, which is a matter of fire.
quent occurrence.
There is constant danger of q loss or
damage to important papers, and as there
are about five thousand of these unrecorded
documents, it is not possible to have them
properly cared for with the force at the
registers present command.
INSTITUTION NOT NEEDED.
The District Commissioners have returned
to Senator Mcmillan. with an adverse recon-
mendaiion, the bill ITO provide home and
employment for reputable girls and young
women in the District who are without
means and unable to obtain work. The
Commissioners say there Is no present need
Of such an Institution, and in support of
this view submit a report from Col John
Tracey. Superintendent of Charities, who
says there are already two associations in
the District partially supported by the gov
ernment. the Woman's Christian Associa-
ton. at No. 1919 Thirteenth street north
west, and the Young womens Christian
Home, at No. 311 C street.
In addition to these. Col. Tracey names
the Hope and Help Mission. the House of the
Good Shepherd. the Home of the Association
for Works of Mercy. and st. Roses Indus
trial School, all of which receive persons
falling under the category described in the
bill.
He says. also, that theree are number of
temporary and permanent refugees and char
liable employment agencies for unemployed
young women. sustained by private benevo-
lence and names among these the Central