Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-03
Has Attention of House Dis
trict Committee.
A FAVORABLE REPORT
LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR SPECIAL
POLICEMEN.
Both Measures Provoke Considerable
Discussions Minority Report for
One of the Measures.

The House committee on the District of
Columbia today authorized favorable re-
| ports on the bill authorizing the Washing
ton Gaslight Company to purchase the
Georgetown Gaslight Company, and for
other purposes also on the bill granting
twenty days annual leave of absence to
special policemen stationed at street rail-
way crossings.
The meeting was presided over by Chair
man Babcock, and was productive of con-
sideration discussion. particularly on the
gas bill. The bill was ordered reported,
however, without yea and nay vote. after
it had been slightly amended. Mr.. Sims
gave notice that he will make minority
report against the bill, and said he would
be Joined in this report by Messrs. Cow
herd of Missouri, Stewart Of New York
and Meyers of Louisiana.
1t is stated that the bill will benefit the
residents of Georgetown by reducing the
price of gas from the present rate of 81. p
per thousand to 81. The important effect
of the bill, however, and the provision
against which the objection was made Is
that which allows the Washington COM
pany to increase the value of its capital
stock from 50. 600 600 to $13 600 600 This
increase is backed up by the claims of the
company that its property and franchises,
including mains, plants. etc. is worth S13,-
100000, and that It could sell the same at
any time for So, 100000.
Opposed by Mr.. Sims.
Mr.. Sims of Tennessee took an active part
in oposing the bill in the committee. He
claimed that to allow this large Increase in
the capitalization of the company would
be to forever foreStall reduction IN the
price of gas to consumers. He said the
company could justly claim that 1t could
not earn a reasonable interest on Its capt.
taization If the price should be reduced.
and that the Supreme Court would uphold
this plea on the ground of confiscation.
Mr.. Sims predicted that the bill will never
pass the House.
The increase in capitalization Is effected
by allowing an increase In the par value
of each share of the companys stock from
$40 to 500. There are 13,0O0 shares of stock
in existence, which at par makes total
this will be increased to $13. 600, 600. No
change is made in the capitalization of the
Georgetown company, which remains as at
present at $GO,OOO
The disqualification Feature.
The provision in the bill which effects the
reca EQUALIZATION reads: THAT the Wash
ington Gaslight Company is hereby author
lied. upon the approval of two-thirds in
value Of it's stockholders, expressed by
resolution passed by vote Of at least two
thirds of all the shares of the stock of the
said company at a special meeting duly
called and held, to change the par value of
the shares of the capital stock from twenty
dollars to one hundred dollars per share:
Provided That in making said change the
new shares of stock when issued shall be
allotted to the stockholders of said COM
pany pro rata as upon such terms as to
the cancellation and surrender of the old
stock the said resolution shall specifical
ly set forth and provide: And provided fur
Their That the total amount of stock and
necessary scrip of said company authorized
by this section to be issued may equal IN
par value but shall not exceed In par value
the actual value of all the stock surren-
dered and Cancelled, as hereinbefore pro-
vided such actual value to be determined
by the average market price thereof during
the period of three months next preceding
the special meeting prescribed by this sec
ton
To this the committee today added the
following: Provided said special meeting
shall take place not later than three
months from the passage of this act; and
provided. further. that the total number Of
shares that may be issued under and by
virtue OF the authority Of this act shall
not exceed the total number of shares of
said companies now outstanding under ex-
listing law.
The Amendments Suggested.
The amendments to the bill suggested by
the Commissioners were adopted by the
committee. These amendments provide
That nothing in this act contained shall
be taken construed to limit or abridge In
any manner the powers of the Commission
ers OF the District Of Columbia under ex
listing law. in respect to laying. taking up.
replacing or maintaining gas mains and
service pipes in the District of Columbia,
the liability of said company in respect
| to any municipal duty or obligation imposed
upon it by existing law
And also: THAT the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia are authorized to re-
cover damages by appropriate actions in
the name Of the District of Columbia in
any court Of the said District having juris-
diction In the premises. for any injury to
public property caused by carelessness or
neglect on the part of the company in lay
ing or maintaining its gas mains or gas
connections, OF maintaining operating it's
plant or property. or any part thereof"
Annual Leave for Policemen.
The bill granting special crossing police
men annual leave. which was also favor
| ably reported, reads:
THAT each of the special policemen sta
toned at street railway crossings and in
tersections in the District of Columbia I'M
der the law providing for such service
shall, during each calendar year, be en-
titled to twenty days leave Of absence. at
times to be determined by the Commission
ers Of said District. and to not exceeding
twenty Gays leave OF absence que 10 their
illness, and shall receive from the source
prescribed In said law full pay during such
absences. A sum sufficient to provide for
the payment Of substitute service for such
officers during such absences shall be de-
rived. disbursed and accounted for as are
| the regular annual appropriations for the
support Of the government Of said District.
That hereafter the Commissioners shall
deduct ore dollar each month from the
pay of each such policeman, which sum
shall be deposited with the auditor Of said
District to be invested by him from time
to time in United States or District bonds.
The fund SO created shall be held subject
to disbursement. on order Of the Commits
sioneTs of the District OF Columbia. for ex-
penditures for the relief Of any said police
men who. by injury received or disease
contracted in the line Of duty only. shall
become SO permanently disabled as to be
discharged from said service therefor, and,
in case OF the death of any such officer, for
the relief Of the widow or children Of said
officer and for funeral expenses, as the
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