The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1899-02-02

Awakened the Liveliest Interest
Among the Lawmakers, Some of
Whom Are stumping the County.
Especial Correspondence)
Harrisburg, Jan. 31.-While the SEN
atorial deadlock has proved bar to
progress in the work of the legislature,
II has not prevented the introduction
of a large number of bills, many Of
which will never get beyond the COM :
mittees to which they have been re-
ferred. A bill introduced in the senate
by Mr.. Wentz, of Montgomery, pro-
poses to facilitate the construction of
trolley lines through townships and
country districts. Under the present
laws and the rulings of the supreme
court a single property holder on
public highway can block the con-
struction of miles of trolleys, This bill
proposes that viewers shall be ap-
pointed and damages assessed in cases
where a trolley line infringes on pri-
vate property. All the rural trolley
lines are to he built so as to leave
wagon roads free. Senator Wentz said
that he was president of trolley line
which ran from Norristown to Amber
and that its construction had been balk-
ed by one property owner, though
every other property owner had con-
sented to the line of the road.
The bill rearranging the salaries of
county officers in Philadelphia was
finally reported, as was the greater
Pittsburg bill, creating a bureau of
building inspection in cities of the first
class, paying constables $1,000 year
salary and abolishing the fee system.
Trolley Lines to Carry Freight.
Another measure of Importance Is
that introduced in the house by Mr..
Rosenberg, of Montgomery. This Is a
bill authorizing street railway COM
panies and traction motor companies,
or lessees of any street railway com
pany to carry freight. express and mail
matter, and charge and collect COM
pensation for 1t. The bill provides that
any traction motor company lessee of
the whole or any part of the lines or
any street railway company is au-
thorized to carry freight express mat
ter and mail matter and any limitation
in the charter of such company which
restricts them to the carriage of pas
sengers only is repealed. 1t Is pro-
vided that the provisions of the COM
pany shall be subject to borough and
city regulations as far as the property
Of such railway or traction company
may be located within their limits.
Representative Hoy. of Clarion. in
troduced the Finn antitrust bill Of
last session. The act declares unlawful
and void all arrangements, contracts,
agreements, trusts or combinations
made with a view to lessen or would
tend to lessen free competition In the
Importation Or sale of articles imported
into this state, in the manufacture or
sale of articles of domestic growth OF
domestic raw material. 1t provides for
the forfeiture of the charter and fran
chise of any corporation organized un-
der the law of the state and violates
the provision of this act prohibits 1t
from doing business in this state and
requires the attorney general to in
stitute legal proceedings against such
corporations 1t also prescribes penal
ties and authorizes persons or corpora
tions who may be damaged by any
such trust or combination to sue and
recover damages. Agricultural pro-
ducts or live stock while In the posses
sion of the producer or raiser are ex-
empted. The penalty for destruction
Of full and free competition or con-
spracy against trade, against person OF
ha nrincinal
or director of a trust liable to a fins
of not less than 800 or more than $500
or by Imprisonment in the penitentiarS
for not less than one year or more thar
ten years.
Regarding suits For Damages.
In the senate two highly importan
bills were offered by Senator Magee
They affect corporations, railroads
trolley lines and street traction com
panies generally. The first act pro
vlGAes that in all actions brought fo
injuries arising from neglect and no
resulting in death notice must b
filed with the defendant corporation
within 30 days from the date of tn
accident of an intention to bring actor
and specifying the place and characte
of the accident. The second sectiol
provides that all such actions shall b
brought within six months from tn
date of injury and not afterwards
that all actions, the cause of whic
arises prior to the passing of this ac1
that are not barred by limitation, sha
be brought within six months after tn
date of the pas sage of this act and nc
thereafter.
The second bill provides that all ao
tions for damage for injury to the pei
son arising from neglect and not re
sulting in death shall be brought with
In one year from the time of infiictio
of such injury. The same proviso re
garding injuries received prior to tn
passage of the act is also containe
in this bill.
Among the bills reported by the il
dietary general committee was Sens
tor Weller's measure, entitled an az
relating to negotiable instruments.
is a bill for the purpose of making un