The times., 1899-09-17

Many measures iof the cOnuucL OF the
government OF the District of Columbia viii
be promptly introduced on the reassembling
Of the Fifty-sixth Congress. December 4.
Si1ce the adjournment of the last session
on the 4th Of March. the residents Of the
District have not been idle in the matter
Of their needs. Fourteen important bills
tailed OF passage in the Senate for the want
Of time. These bills, drawn for and in the
interest Of the District, had, it is said, no
opposition in that body and a majority OF
hem had passed the House of Represen-
.atiTes. They win be reinuroduced.
Among the bills which viii be introduced
early in the coming session is one 10 regu-
late taxes upon street railroads within the
District Of Columbia The bill provides
that every street railroad company ope-
rated within the District shall annually
pay franchise tax TO the tax collector Of
The District of fve-eighths of ] per cent
OF the gross earnings OF such company.
There shall be levied and collected, in
addition to such franchise tax, upon all Of
the real estate Of said companies tax Of
the same manner and TO the same extent
as upon other real estate in the District.
The Capital Traction Company, the Metro
politan Railroad Company, and the Colum-
addition to the franchise tax. an annual tax
Of per cent on their gross earnings. All
other of such companies within the Dis
trict shall pay an annual tax OF Ier
cent upon their gross earnings. in addi-
ton 10 the franchise tax. All laws now in
force in the District with reference 10 the
collection OF taxes the creation of liens
therefor. and the time and mode of making
assessments and collections are made ap-
plicable 70 the subjects OF this act, except
Ia so far as the provisions may be incom-
patible herewith; and all laws, parts OF
laws, or provisions in any charter OF any
Of said companies to the contrary or incon-
sistent with the provisions Of this act are
to be repealed.
Amending the Criminal Laws.
Another piece of legislation of impor
tance is a bill which will be imme iiately
introduced TO amend the criminal laws OF
the District Of Columbia" This bill pro-
rides That persons charged in the Police
Court of the District of Columbia in cases
in which The only penalty upon convi -tion
for the ofense is a fine not 10 exceel $50
may give security for their appearance for
trial or for further hearing, either by bond
10 the satisfaction of the court or by de-
posting money rs collateral security in
such amount as the court may direct; and
that in all cases in the District where
defendant is sent to jail or to the work
house in default OF the payment OF a fine
he shall be released upon the payment of
the balance of the fine due by him. afler
crediting thereon as paid an amount equal
TO the proportion Of time thus served by
him in the jail or workhouse bears to the
whole time he was TO serve under the SEN
tenoe''
A bill to establish board of charities
for TIE District was introduced in the
House at the last session, but did not pass
for the want Of time. II provides that there
shall be established in the District a board
OF charities, to consist of five members,
who shan be residents Of the District,
who shall be appointed by the President,
each for q term of three years, but in such
manner that the terms shall not EXPIRE
more than TWO of them, in any one or the
same year. The members OF the board are
10 serve without compensation The board
Is 10 prepare and include with its annual
report such estimates OF future appropria-
ticns. as will in the judgment Of ma
jority OF its members, best promote the ef-
fectiye harmonious. and economical man
agenent Of the affairs under its super
vision and such estimates submitted are
to be included III the annual book of es-
Inmates No member or employe OF the
board shall be. either directly or indirect
ly, interested in any contract for building,
repairing or furnishing any institution
which the board is authorized to investi-
gate and supervise.
Another bill is one TO regulate insurance
in the District This bill provides that
there shall be established in the Office Of
the Assessor Of the District a division of
insurance. The Assessor is TO be eK-officio
superintendent OF insurance. He is 70 have
supervision Of ali matters pertaining 10 in
surance, insurance companies, and bene-
fetal orders and associations, subject only
To the general supervision Of the Commits
sioneTs Of the District. For the purpose
OF carrying out these provisions the Com
nissioners are authorized and directed to
appoint in the division two clerks especial
" qualified, one al a salary Of s1,So0 a year
and another at $1,000 year.
Revising the Internal Revenue.
The bin TO amend the internaI-reve-
nue. laws Of the District relating TO dis
TILED spirits passed the House at the last
session OF Congress. but failed i'm the Sen
ate on account OF the limited time. Ii is
said that il viii certainly become law at
the next session. 1t provides that under
the conditions imposed by an act 10 reduce
taxation, 70 provide revenue for the sup
port Of the Government allowance for loss
produced and entered for deposit. and
which lawfully remain il any internal
revenue bonded warehouse after the exDi-
ration OF the period OF forty-5ig light months:
provided that the allowance for loss au-
thoriZed shall not exceed IL gallons for
A.. 50, 81, and 81 months; Io gallons for
SO. 81. S.. and 56 months; 10 l-2 gallons
for 81, S. 5s, and 60 months; II gallons
for 81, O., 63. and 81 moths; II l-2 gal
Ions for 65, Sc. S.. and eS months; i gal
Ions for 81, 20, IL, and y months; Y IL
gallons for 7S. "A, Is. and rs months; l3
gallons for Y. as, ~. and SO months an I
1s 1-2 gallons for 81, So, S. and 81 months
The allowance Tor loss is 10 BE- ascertaine
by regauge on request OF The dist Her be-
fore the expiration OF 81 nonths from the
date Of the original gauge. and S all apply
10 spirits remaining in any internaI-Teve-
nue. bonded warehouse which shall have
been regauged under the provisions o. sec
tion 30 OF the act OF August 2s. 1895
The Humane Society Of the District has
prepared y biz 10 provide for the com
pulsory support Of children by parents in
the District. This bin is as follows:
THAT any person within the District Of
Columbia who shall wilfully and unnee-
essar ~ refuse or neglect TO provide for
any child under the age Of fourteen years
OF which he or she shall be the parent or
guardian. such food, clothing or shelter
VIII prevent the suffering and secure
he safety of such child. shall be deemed
guilty OF misdemeanor and, upon con-
viction thereof. shall be subject to pun
ishment BY fne O. not more than $ie0 or
by Imprisonment In the workhouse for
not more than three months, or by both
lne and imprisonment"
~ e