The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-20
We might as well

Mr.. Mann said he had known nothing
Of the bill until he had learned Of it
through the public press L then saw that
it locked like the bcodle bills l have seen
la Chicago"
Does this look to you like a doodle
biu7"
-It does"
Then ! presume It was that which at
racted ycur attention."
The Chairman called the disputants to
order and announced that the time Of
the gentleman from Illinois had expired
Mr. Cowherd took the floor in defence
of the bill He said the committee had
undertaken to bring in a fair bill and one
to which there could be no reasonable OBJ
lection He said that all the objections
so FAR made were general except in one
instance which he would meet with the
necessary amendment He spoke Of the
bond OF S10o o00 which the new company
is to furnish. and which it will forfeit
to the United States IL it sells out to the
old company or fails to carry out any OF
the provisions Of the bill. with the gen.
tleman from Iowa tMr. Hepburn, he
doubted the law of Justice Barnard's de-
cision. but il must stand until reversed
bv some higher court for a retrial. Years
would be consumed In this, while the peo-
pie OF the District Of Columbia were pay
ing $500 600 for a service which another
company was willing to go under bond
TO furnish for one-half that amount. He
believed that telephone rates in the Dis
trict were 100 per cent TOO high.
Mr Nudd Of Maryland spoke in behalf
OF the bill. He was convinced that the
present telephone rates were too high.
and he was also convinced that good
service could be furnished to telephone
gi.hg "a che nannad in the
bil
IN the course Of his remarks Mr.. Mudd
said that it should be observed that the
Commissioners Of the District have the
right to prescribe the conditions and reg
ulstious under which all cOnduits pro-
vided in the bill may be laid. and that
the same shall be planned and construct
ed so as to form a part of the general
subway system which the Commissioners
are authorized to prepare. The incorpo-
rators are prohibited from selling its
charter or franchise under penalty OF fOT
feiture The company. when organized, is
restricted in the sale Of its property and
franchises by a provision Of the act sub
jecting the purchasers to all its restric-
tions and liabilities. and by the imposi
tion upon their other properties Of all the
restrictions, liabilities. and penalties OF
this act.
Mr. Babcock then offered as an amend
ment provision in express terms that
the rate OF $50 should be charged for
single wire phones. used in residences.
He demanded the previous question, and
the committee amendments. including that
offered by Mr. Babcock, were carried.
Mr Moody Of Massachusetts, moved TO
recOmmit for amendment that all the capi-
tai stock should be paid up. This was
also defeated.
The bill was then passed without a roll
call.
The DougIass Memorial.
Mr.. Babcock called up the bill incor-
porating the Frederick Douglass Memorial
Association, which was passed.
There was then passed the bill amending
an act entitled An act in relation to
taxes and tax sales in the District of Co
lumbia." This bill amends section 4 OF
the act OF February 2s 1898 and, as
amended the section reads:
Sec 4 That the owner or authorized
agent Of the owner OF any property sold
as aforesaid. or any other person having
an interest therein at the time Of sale.
may redeem the same from such sale at
any time within two years after the last
day Of sale by paying TO the Collector Of
Taxes, for the use Of the purchaser his
heirs and assigns, the sum mentioned in
the certificate Of sale therefor, with in
terest thereon at the rate of Is per centum
pc rannum after the date OF such certifi-
cate Of sale"
This bill was prepared by the Commls-
siCners Of the District OF Columbia and
introduced at their request in the House.
House bill 9zsS. Ito regulate insurance
In the District OF Columbia" was ext
taken Up, but, after some discussion, was
withdrawn without detriment to its posi-
lion on the calendar. The bill creates a
department. OF insurance under the direc-
ton Of the Assessor. who IS eK-officio
Of insurance, who by the
erms Of the bill is allowed one insurance
clerk, who shall be an expert on insur-
lnce. and shall devote all OF his time and
.ncrgies TO the insurance business.
The bill authorizing the formation Of I
guaranty companies in the District OF Co /
umbia was taken up and passed. This bill I
provides that any company now author 1
zed or which may hereafter be author /
zed by act OF Congress to do an insurance l
business in the District Of Columbia, hav- /
ng a paid-up capital OF not less than /
i25O o0o may engage in a security, guar /
,nty. aud indemnity business; and where |
Jy law two OF more sureties are required I
lpon any obligation which said company I
s authorized to ensure it may act as sole /
surety thereon and may be accepted by 4
he court or other officer or person author /
zed TO approve the suficiency Of any /
bond or undertaking"
Wesley Heights Railway.
The House then considered and passed /
House bill 1902 to incorporate the Wesley |
Ieights Railway Company OF the District /
4 Columbia The incorporators are NJ. c. !
Butler, John T. Arms, Thomas E. Wagga- |
nan. Henry d. Fry, and john F. Wagga |
nan. OF Washington.
The company is authorized TO construct /
nd operate a street railway along the fol- 4
owing named route: Beginning on Pros |
,ect Avenue at the Union Passenger Sta
ion OF the Capital Traction Company; /
hence westerly along Prospect Avenue and .
Prospect Avenue extended 10 a point near
be east side Of Arizona Avenue or for said
istance or any portion thereof on a route
oinciding with the route OF the Washing
on and Great Falls Electric Railway;
hence on property 10 be acquired by said
ompsny to Arizona Avenue; thence north
riy along Arizona Avenue to a projected
venue running northwest through the in
ersection Of FOrty-fifth and Galveston
treets; thence along said projected avenue
D Forty-hfth Street, thence north on For
: fifth Street TO Lowell Street; thence west
n Lowell Street to aud into an extension
{ the aforesaid projected avenue; thence
orthwest on said projected avenue to
oint where Forty ninth Street. when ex-
ended viii intersect said avenue; thence
orth on FOrty-ninth Street to the District
ne. Provided, That where this route lies
etween the lines Of a proposed highway
he company shall acquire a right Of way.
OF less than thirty feet wide. in the centre
hereof. and all rights OF way acquired
ithin the lines Of proposed highways shall
e dedicated to the use OF the public be-
lre a permit is issued for the construc-