Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-23
AGAINST A REFERENDUM
House District Committee on Form of Lo-
cal Government.
Proposed Election by People Killed
Railway Taxes-Tractien Company
Extension Authorized.

The House District committee today voted
to lay on the table the bill authorizing an
election to be held in Washington to de-
termine whether a change in the present
form of government is desired by the resi-
dents. This action kills the bill.
Regulate Street Railway Taxes.
The committee favorably reported Mr..
Odells bill TO regulate taxes upon street
railways in the District. The bill provides.
That every street railroad company op-
Grated within the District of Columbia
shall annually pay a franchise tax TO the
tax collector Of the District five-eighths Of
cne per centum of the entire gross earn
ings of such company. There shall be lev
led and collected. in addition TO such fran
chise tax, Upon all of the real estate of
said companies, a tax in the same manner
and to the same extent as upon all other
real estate in the District of Columbia
The following named companies. the Cap
ital Traction Company, the Metropolitan
Railroad Company and the Columbia Rail-
way Company, sLall each pay In addition
to the franchise tax, an annual tax OF four
Per centIm on their entire gross earnings.
All other Of such companies within the
District shall pay an annual tax of two per
ccntum upon their gross earnings, in addi-
ton 10 said franchise tax"
All laws now in force in the District with
reference to the collection of taxes, the
creation of liens therefor. and the time and
mode of making assessments and collec-
tions. are made applicable to the subjects
Of this act, except in SO far the provis-
ions herein may be incompatible there
with; and all laws, parts of laws or pro-
visions in any charter of any of said COM
panieS TO the contrary or inconsistent with
the provisions of this act are hereby re-
pealed
This Jaw shall take effect from and after
the 1st day of July, 1898, at which date the
.11l 1,o11
begin, and Congress may repeal, alter or
amend this act,
Traction Railway Extensions.
The committee also decided to report
BILL to be drawn by the chairman, author
izing the Capital Traction Company to
make certain extensions of its routes. The
line on 14th street is to be extended two
squares northward. The question of rail-
way facilities in Mt. Pleasant, west of 14th
street, is to remain undecided for The pres
ent. The extension on F street and G
street, west OF 18th street. is to be au-
thoriZed. The Senates proposition to omit
F street and run the line past the Cor
coran Art Gallery was overruled in COM
mittee. The extension on Pennsylvania
avenue southeast to the Eastern branch
must be completed within a year.
The loops around the Capital Traction
Companys property at the several termini
We're authorized
report the bill authorizing the Capital Rail-
way Company to use overhead trolley on
the Navy Yard bridge. The amendments
suggested by the Commissioners are to be
Incorporated in the bill
Hearing Regarding Sunday Rest.
There will be a hearing before subcom-
mittee of the District committee Friday
at 10 o'clock on the Sunday rest law.
Work on Public buildings.
Mr.. Kyle today introduced in the Senate n
bill introduced in the House January 81 by
Mr.. Gardner to limit the hours of labor on
public buildings of or done for the United
States in any territory or the District OF
Columbia.
Amending the District Bill.
Ame ndments to the District of Columbia
appropriation bill were laid before the SEN
ate today as follows:
By Mr.. Stewart-Appropriating $4,000 for
foundation for a bridge across Rock
Creek on the line of Connecticut avenue.
By Mr.. Cockrell-Appropriatin 1850
al award of condemnation for the extension
of 10th street through Denison & Leigh
toms subdivision of Mt. Pleasant.