Evening star., 1902-01-31
DISTRICT IN CONGRESS
ACTION TAKEN BY SENATE COM
MITTEE ON LOCAL MEASURES.
Bill to Regulate the Collection of
Taxes FavOrably Reported-Height
of Buildings Discussed.

The Senate committee on the District of
Columbia held a meeting today and ordered
favorable reports on several bills Of local
Importance There were present at the
meeting Senators Mcmillan, Gallinser.
Hansbrough. Stewart. Dillingham;, Foster.
Martin, Mallory. Heitfeld and Clark of
Montana
The commtte ordered favorable report
on House bill 1872. to regulate the collec-
tion Of taxes in the District OF Columbia.
This bill was passed by the House Of Rep
resentatives on the 18th instant. 1t was or
dered reported without any amendment. 1t
provides that beginning with the fiscal year
July ], 1902, the whole tax on real and per-
sonai property in the District Of Columbia
shall be payable in the month of May of
each year.
1t also provides that on and after the 1st
OF November Of each year the tax may be
paid in two equal installments, the first in
November and the second in May, but that
penalty shall accrue for delinquency un-
til the following June. If the whole or any
property shall not be paid before the first
day of June in each year it shall there
after be In arrears and delinquent, and the
penalty of l per cent per month shall be
charged on 1t until paid.
House bill s753, to require cases of ty-
phoid fever occurring in the District Of Co
lumbia to be reported to the health depart
ment, was also acted upon favorably and
Will be reported to the Senate without
amendment.
This bill was passed by the House on
January u. and it provides that every
physician called to visit any case Of ty
phoid fever in the District of Columbia
shall notify the health officer. A violation
Of this law will be punishable by fine of
$1OO.
ArrearaEes of Taxes.
The committee also authorized a favor
able report on House bill 1OO76, relating to
arrearages Of taxes due the District of
Columbia. The bill is amended, changing
the date when it's provisions shall go Into
effect from July /, 1900, to December 81,
1907. 1t provides that the rate Of interest
to be collected Of any person owing ar
rearages OF general taxes prior to July 1.
1899. shall be per cent per annum In
lieu OF penalties fixed by law. This act will
cember 81. 1902.
The committee spent some time In dis
cussing the question Of the height Of build
ings In the District Of Columbia 1t was
argued by members Of the committee that
now that the government will in the future
erect buildings of a classic style that some
action should be taken to prevent the con-
struction opposite such buildings of houses
OF the skyscraper class. The law now pro-
vides for regulation of the height of
buildings so that they shall not be higher
than the widths of streets from building
line to building line. but this was regarded
Dy members of the committee as far in ex-
cess of what buildings should be in some
sections.
1t was suggested that there were portions
Of the city in which land is held at very
high price and in which the necessities OF
business are so great that perhaps some
exception should be made, but as a general
rule 1t was regarded by some members of
the committee as undesirable to permit
-
was argued that in the case Of residence
sections the erection of high apartment
houses acts as a detriment to surrounding
property to such an extent that in some
cases the value OF residences has been
seriously affected by an adjoining apart
ment house of seven or eight stories high.
The whole matter was discussed in an
informal way and no action was taken fur
ther than to appoint a subcommittee con-
sistlng Of Senators Mcmillan, Stewart and
Mallory, to investigate the whole subject,
and this subcommittee will have a confer
ence with the District Commissioners next
Monday at 2 o'clock.
The personal tax bill. while 1t has been
reported back to the committee from the
District Commissioners, was not considered
at the meeting today further than to have
a subcommittee appointed to take 1t under
consideration and to hear the opinions of
certain persons who have requested that
tney be given an opportunity to speak on
It. The subcommittee will consist of Sena-
'oi AiSAuhidH, IdlullSer, DllllnSham, Clark
OF Montana and Foster Of Louisiana. The
subcommittee will meet at o'clock next
Monday afternoon
The committee authorized adverse reports
on Senate bill 1921, to authorize the Su
preme COURT of the District of Columbia
TO decree the sale or lease of real estate in
certain cases, this matter having been dis
posed Of in the District code. Also 1722,
relative to the suit instituted for the per-
1ectlon OF the interests of the United
States in the Potomac river flats. this mat
ter also having been disposed Of by preyi-
Gus legislation.
Convention of EpiscopaI Church.
In the case Of Senate bill 1s45. to amend
the act to incorporate the convention of the
Protestant Episcopal Church of the diocese
OF Washington. the committee ordered
favorable report without amendment.
This bill has been favorably reported on
py the Commissioners, and gives the con-
vention of the Protestant Episcopal Church
authority to receive and hold subscriptfons
etc., for the purpose Of an Episcopal csi-
dence, diocesan house, church, colleges.
etc., and for the purpose of creating per
manent fund for endowment for the sun
port of the episcopate, and in behalf nf
religious and other agencies OF the church.
1T provides that such funds shall be kent
distinct and separate.
Unless this amendment shall be accepte ed
by resolution of the convention Of the dio-
cese at It's next annual meeting and the
certified copy recorded with the recorder of
deeds within sixty days it shall become
void.
An adverse report was ordered on Senate
bill 1873, to relieve the property owners
from the assessments laid for benefits for
the extension of Rhode Island avenue New
Hampshire and Sherman avenues, s. w
and 18th streets.