Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-21
A DISTRICT DAY
The House Committee Presents
Local Measures.
RAILROAD CONSOLIDATION BILL
Section Providing for FIagmen at
Crossings Stricken Out.
TRANSFER SECTION REMAINS


1t was nearly O'Clock this afternoon
before Chairman Babcock secured the floor
in the House for the consideration OF Dis.
trlct bills, as an eight-hour labor bill and
the anti-prison labor bill were given right
of way. The District committee had pre-
viously held a session in the forenoon, at
which an order of business was agreed
upon.
The committee also agreed to amend the
new railway consolidation bill by striking
out the clause which proposes to abolish
the special policemen at railway crossings
and substitute tiagmen employed by the
company. 1t decided that the proposed
change inadvisable.
The committee also agreed to push the
consideration of the District code bill in
the House.
Railroad Consolidation Bill.
The first measure called up was House
bill 1850. the new consolidation bill, which
was read in full
This bill and the committee report upon
1t have been published in The Star hereto
fore Its object is to permit the consolida-
t1on into one company of the following
lines of railway: The Anacostia and Po-
wood Railway Company. the Capital Rail-
way Company, the City and Suburban
Railway Company. the Columbia Railway
Company, the Georgetown and Teneytown
Railway Company, the Metropolitan Rail-
road Company, the Washington and Great
Falls Electric Railway Company, the
Washington and Rockville Railway Com
pany. the Washington. Woodside and For
est Glen Railway and Power Company and
the Washington and Glen Echo Railroad
Company.
Flnsmen Section Stricken Out.
Mr. Babcock. after the bill was read
offered amendment striking out the fol-
lowing paragraph of the bill:
1T shall he the duty of all street railway
companies in the District Of Columbia to
station flagmen at such rapid transit cross
ines in the city of Washington as may be
designated by the Commissioners of the
District CT Columbia. the same to be in lien
of special policemen now required by law
The amendment was adopted.
Transfer Amendments Defeated.
Mr.. Cowherd offered an amendment to the
bill providing that the consolidated COM
pany shall maintain a system of transfers
al all connecting points. to be approved by
the Commissioners. giving continuous ride
over all the lines of the company.
Mr.. Cowherd said he thought the company
should be required to give a generous sys-
TEN of transfers, limited, of course, by
such provisions would be necessary to
prevent an abuse of the transfer privileges.
He said the company wanted to retain eX-
elusive control of the disposition of trans
fers, but he thought the bill should require
the company to give transfers so that
passenger for one fare should be permitted
to ride from any given point on the road
to any other point for one fare.
Mr.. Rabcock said the District of Columbia
was enjoying the most liberal transfer sys-
tenn in the country. He thought the sys-
tenn was .libera!ly foolish He was will
ipp tn 1pav
the railroad officials, who had shown such
a liberal spirit. He said that last year
these railroads. under their new transfer
system, had carried 100000 more people
than within the previous year, and yet
the receipts had been less.
A vote was then taken on Mr.. Cowheras
amendment. 1t was lost by vote OF ~
ayes and ~ noes.
Mr. Cowherd then offered modified
transfer amendment giving the Commits
sioners authority to establish transfer
system. This amendment was defeated
ayes, 81; noes. 80.
The Bill Passed.
The consolidation was then passed with
out further amendment.
Tax Bill Passed.
The next bill called up was House bin
1O14O to regulate the grades of Goth street.
The bill passed.
The White Cross bill was presented, but
objection developing. was withdrawn.
Mr. Babcock then called up House bill
1926, to regulate the collection of taxes.
II Droyides: That hereafter. beginning
with the fiscal year commencing July ].
1900, the whole tax on real and personal
property in the District of Columbia shall
be due and payable in the month or May OF
each year: and if said tax upon real and
personal property shall not be paid before
the 1st day of June in each year. the same
thereupon shall be in arrears and dellh-
ouent, and there shall then be added. to be
collected with said tax. penalty OF PEI
centum upon the amount thereof. and IKE
penalty the first day of each succeeding
month until payment Of said tax and pen
alty: and the whole together shall consti-
tute the delinquent tax, to be dealt with
and collected in the manner no" proNiosa
provided That the Secretary of the
Treasury is hereby authorized and directed
To advance to the disbursing officer of the
District of Columbia, IN the manner now
prescribed by law, out of any money In the
treasury of the United States not otherwise
appropriated. such sums as may be neces-
sary from time to time to meet the gen.
erai expenses of said District. and to rein-
burse the treasury for the one-half ad-
yances payable by said District out Of the
taxes and revenues collected, as herein
provided for. ,.
or amendment.
senate bin 349O, in relation to admissions
to and dismissals from the reIorm THIS sehOHi p
and the report have been printed in The
Star heretofore.
The bill was passed without debate.
The bill (Senate, 4o4S) to require the in
snection of -four in sacks. as well as in
barrels. was called up and passed without
debate.
Mr. Babcock then called up Senate bill LA,
to regulate permits for private conduits. It
was passed without debate
The bill to close alley in Walbridge sub
division, Ingleside was also passed
Not Entitled to Compensatfon.
The controller of the treasury has de-