Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-14
ON DISTRICT AFFAIRS
Many Bills Of Local Interest
Considered.
FILTRATION PLANT
MATTERS TAKEN UP BY CHAIR
MAN BABcocK's COMMITTEE.
Hearing Given on tho Proposed Dem
tistry Law-Columbian College
Incorporation.

The House committee on the District OF
Columbia met this morning at lo:so
o'clock and accomplished much important
work. This was the first meeting of tho
committee since the Christmas holidays.
There was a full attendance. large
number Of bills were taken up and acted
upon in anticipation OF the first District
day in the House. which has been set Tor
Monday next. Chairman Babcock pre-
sided.
The resolution recently introduced by
Mr. Morrell of Pennsylvania, and known
as House resolution 90, which calls
upon the Secretary Of War for informa-
ton in regard to the progress OF work
on the filtration plant in this CITY,
was called to the attention of the commit
tee. Mr.. Morrell asked for the appoint
ment of a subcommittee to consider the
subject matter contained therein. Chair
man Babcock appointed Messrs. MorreH,
Wiley and Cowherd. 1t is said nearing
will probably be granted when the con-
tractors, and possibly the engineer ohcer
in charge of the work, will be given an op-
portunty to explain the situation.
Recent reports from the War Department
are to the effect that the work 10 progress.
ing satisfactorily. Mr.. Morreil feeis tnat
vestigated, nevertheless, and consequently
asked for the appointment OF the commit
tee named this morning.
Proposed Dentistry Law.
The committee took action looking to
the furtherance of the idea Of reciprocal
dental laws in the states and territories,
now occupying the attention Of the leading
dental associations Of the country. The
matter came up in connection with House
bill 1927, recommended by the District
Commissioners This bill simply provided
that section 3 of the law Of June .. 1872,
regulating the practice OF dentistry be
stricken out. This provision was to the
effect that all graduates Of dental colleges
requiring a three years course should De
entitled to certificates to practice their pro-
fesson in the District Of Columbia upon
the payment of the usual fees.
The committee granted hearing this
morning to DR.. E. A. Bryant who, on be-
half Of the National Dental Association
and the Dental Society of the District of
Columbia, proposed substitute provision
for the one stricken from the law by the
terms Of the Commissioners bill DR.. Bry-
ant stated that the paragraph he would
present had been adopted at the last meet
ing of the National Association OF Dentists
for presentation to the legislatures OF the
various states and territories. It's adop-
tion he said, would result in uniform re-
ciprocal law throughout the Union, which
would not only more thoroughly protect
the public, but would be great oonve-
nience to the reputable members OF the
had approved the proposed substitute pro-
viso, which is as follows:
Provided That the board OF dental ex-
aminers may issue a license to practice to
any dentist who shall have been In legal
practice for a period of five years or more
upon the certificate Of the board of dental
examiners of the state or territory In which
he practiced, certifying his competency and
moral character, upon the payment OF the
eertif1cation fee and without examination
as to his qualifications" $50,
The committee decided to report the bill
as amended to include the above paragraph
and to urge its adoption by the House.
Columbian University.
A favorable report was ordered on Sem
ate bill 1896. adopted by the upper body
several days ago. changing the articles
of incorporation OF Columbian College OF
this city. The bill makes the institution
non,sectarian in character, and gives the
trustees authority to change the name, sub
| ject to the approval of the Secretary OF the
| Interior and the U. 3. commissioner OF
| education.
unanimous consent later for the consider
alton Of the bill in the House today, and 1t
was passed without amendment.
To Extend Lighting Mains.
| The committee ordered a favorable re-
| port on Senate bill 465, authorizing the
Pintsch Gas Lighting Company to extend
| its mains to the site Of the new union depot.
| This company supplies the gas used In the
railroad cars.
| House bill 9311, in regard to the establish
| ment of building lines. was considered and
| favorable report ordered. The bill was
| submitted by the Commissioners and pro-
| vides for the assessment of benefits in the
| fixing of building lines on streets where
| they do not now exist.
Designating Business Streets.
| favorable report was also ordered on
the Commissioners bill CH. R. 9292) in re-
| gard to the designa ton of business
| streets. This measure provides that streets
may be designated business streets when
three or more consecutive blocks have a
majority frontage used for business pur-
| poses, or where there Is a majority 'front.'
| age on block adjoining blocks already
| used for business purposes.
A favorable report was also made on
| House bill 1854, submitted by the Commits
| sioners providing for the resubdivision OF
various lots and blocks IN the District OF
| Columbia
House bill 1865, changing the name OF
| Madison street to Samson street, was call
ed up but no action was taken, as the COM
| mittee desired further information on the
subject of the proposed change