Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-28
Local Measures Passed by the Houss
of Representatives,
INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING GAS RATES
Mr.. Babcock VainIy Endeavors to
Obtain Reconsideration.
DEFEATED BY LA RGE MARGIN

This was District day in the House, but
a pressure of morning business took prece-
dence, and 1t was l:30 o'clock when the
District committee obtained the floor.
The Senate bill relating to the Masonic
Mutual Relief Association of the District
was laid before the House by the Speaker.
The bill allows the number of the direc-
tors of the Masonic Mutual Relief Associa-
ton Of the District of Columbia to be in
| creased from twenty-one Che number of
lodges in existence when the number of
directors was fixed at twenty-one) to
number corresponding with number of
lodges that may exist in the District of Co
| lumbia. Also ii strikes out the sections OF
the charter authorizing separate classes OF
members; and further allows insurance up
to $1,000
Mr. Jenkins explained that similar bill
had been reported by the House District
committee and the Senate bill was accord
ingy passed.
Reform School for Girls.
Chairman Babcock called up House bill
1882, to amend the act relating to the re-
form school for girls to make the
age limit the same as the boys reform
school, seventeen years. and giving the
trustees similar powers to those vested in
the trustees of the boys school
MIR. Jenkins. explaining the bill said that
nothing in the report on the measure was
intended to reflect on the Commissioners or
the board of charities.
The bill was passed without amendment.
German Orphan Asylum.
The bill to rencorporate the German Or
phan Asylum Association was then called
up. The incorporators named in the bill
are Jacob Jose. Louis kettler, William kett-
Ter. John Walter Frederick Imhoff. Chas.
G Rogier, Charles Graft, Jacob j. Appich,
George J. Seufferle, George BreitbarJh,
Christian Heurich, Werner Koch. John A.
Griesbauer, William H. Neerhoff. Clement
A. Didden, George Bessler John +. Schnei-
der and Otto Wehner.
Section legalizes all previous acts Of
this association
Section 3 of the bill provides that the Ger
man Orphan Asylum Association of the Dis
trict of Columbia is authorized, if such be
deemed necessary, to institute in the Su-
preme Court of the District of Columbia
proceedings in equity by bill against all
persons and corporations who may set up
any claim to any of the property rights Of
the original corporation or de facto corpora
ton by this act vested In the corporation
created hereby for the purpose Of determin-
ing finally the. rights Of any such adverse
claims and of having its right and title to
all such property rights finally affirmed by
the decree of said court: Provided, however,
That nothing in this act shall be held in any
wise to disturb or affect any reserved lien
existing law upon any of the property OF
the said original corporation the said de
facto corporation
The bill was passed without debate.
Gas Company Legislation.
Mr.. Babcock then called up the motion TO
reconsider the vote by which the House
ordered the gas bill reccmmitted last Mon
day.
Mr. Hepburn objected to that motion be
tendance in the House.
Mr. Babcock said that a quorum was in
the Capitol and he desired to proceed with
business which could not well be under
taken until this motion disposed of by
the House He explained that the commit
tee would probably be charged with con-
tempt Of the House If the business was
undertaken before the motion.
A call of the House was then ordered to
develop quorum, Mr.. Babcock desiring TO
bring up the substitute gas bill which has
been reported by the committee.
A quorum was developed, and Mr.. Bah
cock then called up the motion to recon-
slider the vote by which the bill was re-
committed. Touching the question or the
price of gas contained in the motion to re-
commit he said that the question of the
price of gas was not germane to the Dill
for the increase of the capital stock.
Furthermore that if the price Of gas Is to
be reduced, the price of the electric nghtlnS
should also be reduced lie tnOugnt the
bill should be recommitted without instruc-
tions as to the price of gas.
Answering Mr.. Robinson of Indiana, Mr..
Babcoci said there no connection be-
tween the street companies and the gas
company.
Mr. Hepburn of Iowa then took the noor
and said that the first gas bill was intro
duoed January II and reported January 10
Mr. Babcock said that the gentleman
from Iowa was misleading the House. The
gas bill was introduced January s. and the
bill that Mr.. Hepburn referred to was the
bill which the House District committee
reported I'm lieu of the bill of January s.
Mr. Hepburn then proceeded to discuss
the general question of the capitalization
Of the gas company.
Refuse to Reconsider.
BY a rising vote of 81 to SO the House re-
fused to agree to the motion to reconsider
the vote by which the gas bill was recon-
mitted last Monday with instructions.
Mr.. Babcock thereupon called for the
yeas and nays on the motion. and the roll
call was in progress when The Stars re-
port closed.
Movements of Naval Vessels.
The Kearsarge, Massachusetts and the