Evening star., 1902-02-20
LOCAL LEGISLATION
LIVELY MExFINa OF HOUSE DIS.
TRIcr CoH1nTTxE.

The final result Of the fiveiiest meeting
OF the House conamittee on the District Of
Columbia ac thds1ession. which took place
today. waf the authorization Of favor
able reportSon t6s bill to permit deeds Of
land IN th6Distffet to be recorded IN the
Philippines:- the txbIins Of the Commission
ers bill auShorizirsx the appointment Of su-
perintenden1s Of chimney-sweeps: recon-
mitting to The subcommittee the bill giving
special crossing policemen annual and sick
leave. and the refusal Of the committee to
consider the bflI Tor the consolidation OF
the gas companies.
The bin ordered favorably reported IL a
substitute for bill which was recently
withcalled from, the President after being
passed by both houses. The necessity for
its withdrawal was provision to the effect
that the Philinpine notaries who were to
execute its provisions. should be appointed.
or whose appointment should be approved
oy the governor nf the Philippines. 1t has
since developed that the Office OF notary In
the Pnllppines Is an inherited ofnce. and
this custom has not been changed. When
TINS 1act was divulged to the committee by
Mr. jenkins, Mr.. Cowherd OF Missouri Ia
cetiousiy remarked that he was surprised
to hear that there could be Offices OF in
States.
THE Philippines and Missouri are the
only two places where they are inherited, -
was Mr. Jenkins retort.
Chimney Sweep Bill.
The chimney sweep bill proved a fruitful
topic Of discussion. The necessity for
regulation of this work was clearly appar-
ent, but by the terms of the bill the COM
mlttee was unable to see just what the re-
suit OF it's passage would be. To simply
authorize the appointment Of superintend-
ents or chimney sweeps, without limit to
their number or definition of their duties,
was declared to be too vague. 1t might re-
SUIT IN increasing the cost of the work to
the householder 50 per cent or more. A
proposition to license chimney sweeps was
talked over as probably the best way to
meet the question.
The action OF the committee on the spe-
clal crossing policemen bill was unique. A
vote on the measure shortly after 1t was
taken up resulted in tie. Six members
mad voted for and six against 1t. Chairman
BaDcock was then called on to decide. and
voted In favor Of the bill. The motion to
make the favorable report was made by Mr..
Pearre, who stated that although the sal
aries OF these men were paid by the local
street railway companies, 1t was provided IN
the bill that the government and the Dis
trtct should pay In equal parts for the
annual and sick leave afforded by the bill
1t was then urged against the bill that 1t
would certainly meet defeat tn the House.
on the ground that members on the floor
would certainly oppose any proposition to
assess the government to pay sick leave to
employees paid by private corporations.
Gen. Harries' Statement.
General George H. Harries, vice president
Of the lines composing the Washington
Traction Company, was called on by the
committee for a statement on the question
General Harries stated that there were
thirty-four Of these special policemen en-
ployed, and that last year $25,7OO was paid
by his company toward their salaries. So
far as his company was concerned, he said,
1t would much prefer to have these special
policemen Incorporated into the regular
force. In such ar event, he said. his COM
their gross earnings increased / per cent.
This, he explained, would amount to $50, 900
year.
Mr.. Otey made a motion to reconsider the
vote by which the, bill had been ordered re-
ported, and this motion was carried by
vote of to o. This bill now has practically
the same status as before tue action today.
Mr.. Babcock made an unsuccessful effort
to get the committee to take up the bill for
the consolidation Of the gas companies
There was no vote on the mea asure, but 30
many objections were at once made that
Mr.. Babcock witndrew his motion for con-
Of the bill were not discussed to any ex-
tent. but It seemed to be the general opin-
ion that more, time should be given, so that
the members Of the committee might famil-
iariZe themselves with the purpose and
effect Of the proposition.