The evening times., 1897-01-08
AGREED TO FAVOR Them
District Bills Considered by the
Senate Committee.
MEASURES In THE HOUSE
sale of Poisons and Expert Testi-
mony to BE Properly Regulated.
Office-PrOteSts Against Proposed
Use OF New City POstOffice.

The Senate District Committee held its
regular meeting this morning. There were
present Chairman Mcmillan and Senators
Proctor, Baker, Harris, Smith, Martin
and Bacon.
Senator Mcmillan was authorized to
make favorable report 60 the Senate on
the bin authorizing the extension OF the
lines OF the Metropolitan Railroad Com
pany, on the Columbia read, to Eighteenth
street. The Tin was amended by the
committee SO as TO permit the company
TO issue stock, instead of bonds, fer its
Outstanding obligations.
The committee ordered a favorable re-
port on the hin TO provide for the payment
of certain claims against the District of
Columbia by drawback certificates. These
claims date from the period of the terri
torial government, and arise from the
destruction OF the old Northern Liberty
Market.
Senator Proctor was authorized TO make
n favorable report on the hill extending
North Capitol street through the property
of the Prospect Hill Cemetery, and TO pay
for the land taken for this purpose.
Bills Introduced.
Mr.. Babcock today introduced in the
House bin regulating the sale OF poisons
in the District. II was draw up under
the direction OF the Medical Association.
The bill provides that no poison shall he
sold unless the bottle, vial, vessel or box
containing it is Of triangular shape, and
upon which and also upon the wrapper
shall be affixed the name OF the article,
the word poison and the name and place
OF business OF the seller.
The measure further provides that no
person shall sell, give or furnish directly
or indirectly TO any person opium or NOR
phine or the preparations OF either con-
tanning over 4 certain amount OF NOR
phiue, except on the written prescription
OF a physician.
The punishment for the violation Of this
act is a fine OF not less than SO nor
more than 500.
Expert Testimony.
He eaiSointruduceda a bill regulating expert
testimony in the courts OF the District OF
Columbia. This measure provides that the
trial Judge is 10 decide whether the skill
Of any person. in the matter in which evil
dence OF his opinion is offered is sufficient
to entitle him to be considered as an ex-
pert
Ia civil actions, when the testimony OF
an expert is necessary, the court is TO name
not more than three experts who shall be
examined in criminal proceedings, ex-
cepting in cases OF the sanity Of the defend
ant, the court may designate any number
OF experts.
The bnl further provides that in crimi-
7Tr-irt - rffF Of
PENDANT the court shall appoint a commits
sion consisting OF three physicians
nominated by the government, one by the
defendant, the third by the court.
The House Committee on Public Grounds
discussed at some length this morning he
site OF new Government Printing office,
The discussion came up on the bill intro
duced Just before the holidays by Mr.. MILL
ken, to purchase the site OF the present
Business High School.
At the next meeting decisive action will
be taken, and il is more than probable that
the bill will be favorably recommended.
Storm OF Protests.
Tie bare suggestion that the new post
office building on Pennsylvania avenue is
to be used for the Postoffice Department
has started a storm Of protests.
Tie question at once arises as to where
the District comes in. The Intention in
tile first place was that the first two floors
were to be used by the city authorities, and
the upper floors were to be given up TO other
Federal District uses. The moving of the
department into the building would sadly
cripple the District, it is held.
Mr.. Cannon would not talk about the mat
ter this morning. He said twas a question
for the future He had addressed an inquiry
to the POStma ster General simply as an in
quiry. He was hot certain what power the
committee had. The committee might some
day take action, but until that time he had
nothing to say.
The committee has before it now the
appropriations asked for this building
1t must decide on the amount of money to
be granted. and it wants TO know the uses
to which it is TO be put. In this way it
happened that the inquiry was sent.
II is held that any action taken in this
matter by Postmaster Gene raj Wilson
would not be binding on his successor.
Congress would have to act. and there is
where the fight would come in. The Dis
trict Committee may take the matter up