Evening star., 1896-04-08
DISTRICT IN CONGRESS
Matters Considered and Acted On by the
House Committee.
Racing Bill to Be Fav0rnbly Report
creased Liquor License.

Ihe House DlStf1CC committee HI lIs
meeting this morning directed Mr.. Odell OF
New York to make d favorable report on
the racing bill, and to include amendments
which will make the law more stringent
than the New York racing law, and which
will absolutely prevent gambling. Mr..
Odell expects to have the bill in shape to
call up on the next District day.
The opponents of the racing bill continue
to make an active campaign against it.
Renewed protests were laid before the COM
mittee today from the Methodist clergymen
and the Washington presbytery, and Mr..
S. w. Woodward sent telegram to the
committee urging that the present law Ill
the District should not be changed.
The bill to increase the liquor license in
the District to $500 was called up in com
mittee, but action upon it was deferred I'M
til the next meeting.
The committee decided to postpone action
on the telephone bills until after the con-
siderat;on of the general subway bill re.om-
mended by the Commissioners. A special
meeting of the committee will be called at
an early day to consider the subway bill.
The committee favorabiy reported the bill
relating to arrears OF taxes and tax sales.
This is lengthy measure prepared by the
Commissioners and provides regulations for
the sale of property in arrears for taxes.
The committee also favorably reported
the bill authorizing the redemption Of tax
sale certificates issued by the government
OF the District, which have become invalid
by the neglect of the District to cause II
report of the sale to be recorded. 4 IA
yorable report was ordered the bill to
relieve Anton Gloetzner from the operation
of the law relating to alien ownership of
land in the District.
Also favora bic report on the bill to reg
uiate the sale of unclaimed freight and
baggage.
Against the National Unfversfty.
Senator Walthan today presented the
minority report Of the committee to es-
tablish the University of the United States
on the bill to create a national university
adverse to its passage.
To Lay Gas Pipes.
Senator German today, for Senator Glib
son, introduced bill permitting the
Pintsch Comprising Co. to lay pipes in cer-
tain streets in this city. similar to that
formerly introduced in the House.
To Collect Criminal Statistics.
Senator Pettigrew today offered an
amendment to the sundry civil bill appro-
priating $1,000 to collect statistics in rea-
ton to criminals and paapers. the feeble
minded, deaf, dumb and Blind, and to in
vestigate the causes of criminality snd
pauperSm from a statistical point Of view
under the direction of the bureau of edu-
cation.
Library Bill Conferces.
Speaker Reed has appointed Messrs. Pow
ers, Miner ard Babcock conferees on the
public library bill
Modern Motive Power.
Mr.. Miles has introduced resolution in
the House providing that tho lexington
and Soldiers Home railway of the District
of Columbia, the Belt Railway Company
and the Maryland and Washington Rail-
way Company be respectively authorized
to equip their respective lines, or any part
thereof. now located and constructed or
which may hereafter be located and con-
structed within the limits of the city of
Washington, in the District of Columbia,
with such pneumatic or other modern mo-
tive power as said railway companies, re-
spectivelv, may deem best: Provided, That
such motive power shall first be approved
by the Commissioners of the District of
Columbia: And provided further, That
horses and overhead wires shall not be
used, and that said Commissioners are
hereby authorized to grant a permit or
permits for the adoption by said railway
companies or any one of them OF such
Commissioners may approve. Congress
reserves the right to alter, amend or repeal
this act.
Home for Colored People.
Senator Pritchard has presented a petition
signed by residents of North Carolina, pray
ing for the passage of Senate bill $3.50, to
erect the National Memorial Home for Aged
ard Infirm Colored People.