Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-21
District Business Taken Up
in the House.
AN ANIMATED DEBATE
QUESTION OF LEAVES FOB
STREET CROSSING POLICEMEN.
Mr.. McDermott Criticises Local Gov
River and Harbor Bill.


of Columbia were passed by the House to-
day. Following this action an animated
discussion took place on the bill to grant
srecial crossing policemen annual leaves of
absence. resulting in the defeat of that
assure. In this discussion Mr. McDermott
of New Jersey. president of the Washing
ton Traction system. took occasion to pro-
nounce a severe criticism on the methods
of government prevailing in the District of
Columbia, declaring that such methods are
not conducive to the investment of capital
in the District.
Immediately after the reading of the jour-
nal today the House of Representatives
proceeded to the consideration of District
of Columbia business
In the absence of Chairman Babcock Mr..
Mudd took charge of District bills.
Minors in Pool and Billiard Rooms.
The first bill taken up was Senate bill
@i39. amending the act regulating billiard
and pool tables in the District of Columbia.
The amendments to the Senate measure
recommended by the House committee on
the District of Columbia were agreed to and
the bill passed.
The bill makes 1t unlawful for the pro-
prietors of any billiard or pool table OPP
Grated In connection with a bar room or
other place where liquors are Sold to per-
nit any minor under eighteen years of age
10 frequent or patronize the same The
Senate made the prohibition apply to all
pool tables, and the House added the
word billiard and limited it to such
tables as were run in connection with bars.
To Promote Anatomical Science.
Senate bill 5O46, for the promotion of ana
tomical science and to prevent the desecra-
tion of graves in the District of Columbia.
was next passed. This bill had been pre-
viously passed by the two houses and sent
to the President. 1t was returned by him
at the suggestion of Secretary Long so as
to extend the benefits of the bill to the
medical school of the navy.
Payment of Taxes Postponed.
Senate joint resolution No 50 was SUBJ
stituted for House joint resolution No. ITS
and agreed to. The two resolutions are
Identical Mr.. Mudd explained that the
object Of the resolution was to extend the
time from June until October in which the
board of equalization and review shall have
in which to make up the tax schedule.
This was necessary by reason of the larger
revenue needed. 1t also postpones the time
of paying the taxes which become payable
in November. 1902 to May. 1903.
Mr.. Finley and Mr.. Burkett of Nebraska
thought this might be bad, as it would re-
qulre two years taxes to be paid in one
year. Mr.. Mudd explained that the pay
heuI was SIMPLY postponed this year Tor
a few months.
Privileges for Crossing Policemen.
When House bill 1919. granting certain
privileges to special policemen stationed at
street crossings was next called up MIR.
Cannon demanded that the bill be consider
ed in committee of the whole. Mr. Mudd
remarked that the bill carried no appro-
priation. but Mr.. Cannon maintained that
"a TT fDH n n n~ ON ha tr,,
In compliance with Mr.. Cannon's sug-
gestion Mr.. Mudd obtained consent to con-
slider the bill in committee of the whole at
once, and Mr. Pearre. who introduced the
measure. explained that 1t was a Com
mIssioners' bill: that it provided twenty
days annual leave of absence for crossing
policemen, also twenty days annual sick
leave which is the same leave now granted
to members of the metropolitan police
force. 1t also created a pension fund,
which was made up from deductions from
their own salaries.
Mr.. Hull of Iowa wanted Mr.. Pearre to
say why these men should not be put on the
same basis as regular members of the po-
lice force The reply was that the District
officials objected to this.
Mr.. Cannon then asked If he was correct
in his understanding that these crossing
policemen were paid by the railway COM
panies-
MIR. Pearre answered that such was the
case.
Then is it not also true that but twenty
days annual leave is granted to regular
members of the metropolitan police force?"
continued Mr.. Cannon.
Mr. Pearre said he understood that the
bill simply put the crossing men on the
same footing with the regular force. If 1t
was round that was not the case, he said
the bill could be so amended
MIR. Cannon held that these crossing mon
Were the special employees of the railway
companies. and that If they were given an
nuai leave the companies ought to pay for
Performed Valuable Public Services.
Mr. Pearre contended in opposition to this
that in addition to their duties in connec-
ton with the railways the street crossing
men performed much valuable public serv-
Ice He read the orders and regula tons is
sued to them by Major Sylvester, which
showed that they had police powers.
MIR Cannon maintained that under that
order there was nothing to be done that
was not for the benefit of the railways. and
incidentally an advantage to the public
he asked Mr.. Pearre II he would favor
giving the conductors and motormen an
annual leave at the expense of the govern
ment.
Mr. Pearre. however. could see no analogy
between the two cases. These officers he
said. were not appointed by the railway
companies. but by the District government.
In reply to a question from Mr. Shafroth
Mr. Pearre stated that there were thirty-
seven of these officers
Mr. McDermott OF New Jersey wanted to
KNOW why the burden of paying these men
had been placed on the railroad companies
Mr.. Pearre answered that as he under
stood 1t the regulation had been formulated
mutually by Senator German Mr. McDer-
mott. who is president of the various lines
embraced in the Washington Traction Com
pany. asked again, somewhat sarcastical-
ly, If he was to understand that the only
excuse for this unjust burden was simply
that II was done by a democrat.
MI Pearre replied that he had not said
mat the burden was an unjust one He
did not regard 1t So
Mi Finley suggested that the bill be
amended so as to make the railway com
panies pay for the substitute officers who
are to supply the places Of the men on
leave. but Mr. Pearre believed the provis-
Ions OF the bill were better
Mr. Gaines Of -a,nn..,o