Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-10
LOCAL LEGISLATION
Action of Senate District
Committee.
A NEW SMOKE LAW
ONE FOR WHICH BUSINESS MEN
HAVE CoNTENDED
Reported Favorably, Also Bill to
Abate Nuisances-Other Local
Measures Acted On.

The Senate committee on the District of
Columbia today ordered the reporting of a
smoke law for the District and of a bill to
abate nuisances. Both of these measures
have been the subjects of continued con-
tention. Other bills were also ordered
favorably reported by the committee
The committee. notwithstanding the
unanimous action of the District Commis-
sioners favoring repeal of the present
smoke law, took another view of that sub
ject. This morning while the bill was
under consideration Gen. George II. Har-
ries was before the committee and was
asked many questions, the bill decided on
by the committee being practically that Tor
which Gen. Harries and the committee OF
business men have contended.
In reporting the bill the committee struck
out the entire old bill and substituted an
other in its place. providing that on and
after the date of the passage of the bill
there shall be permitted three minutes con-
unuous emission, except in cases of new
fires. when six minutes of continuous ennis
sion shall be allowed or total of not over
sixty minutes in each day of dense or black
thick smoke cinders from any smoke
stack or chimney used in connection with
any stationary engine. steam boiler Ok fur
mace of any description within the District,
and that emission exceeding that shall
De OSeHleO 10 Dt Il puDllC nuisance
The Responsible Parties.
1t is provided that the owner, joint lessee
or occupant of any building of any descrip-
ton, chief clerk of the department
bureau if the building shall be one of the
United States government buildings, the
health officer in the building shall be
under the jurisdiction of the Commission
ers of the District of Columbia, from the
l. Il ,l,s flaAr..
shall be issue or be emitted thick or
dense black or gray smoke or cinders, eN-
cept as above provided within the District
of Columbia on or after the day when this
act gees into effect shall be deemed and
held guilty of creating a public nuisance
and of violating the provisions or TINS act.
There is nothing in the bin in relation TO
locomotives. Senator Stewart, in reporting
this bill endeavored to have it passed by
the Senate at once. but Senator Hale said
the matter was of great Importance to the
people of the District of Columbia. and lie
thought it ought to go over until another
d..
To Abate Nuisances.
The committee also authorized report on
House bill G2s9, to provide for the abate-
ment of nuisances in District of Columbia.
This bill as ordered reported, contains
substitute for the House bill providing that
it shall be the duty of the inspector of
buildings of the District to examine into
the sanitary condition and safety of all
buildings and shall have authority TO enter
the same whenever he shall be of opinion
that such examination is necessary. legal
process is provided by which the corpora
ton counsel of the District shall proceed to
insanitary conditions by proceed
ings in the Police Court in the case of
misdemeanor, if necessary. 1t provides that
every building in the District used as
dwelling house or lodging house shall have
such drainage, windows and ventilation as
the Commissioners by regulation may re-
dure The Commissioners are authorized
TO prohibit by regulation the occupation of
anv building or room in the District which
is not in safe and sanitary condition. NO
room shall be so overcroWded that theie
shall be afforded less than 4c5 cubic feet
to each adult and 2i9 cubic feet TO each
child under twelve years of age.
This bill for the abatement of nuisances
was regarded by the Commissioners as like
ly to remedy abuses in the District better
than House bill 9293 for the condemnation
of insanitary buildings. 1t has been pro-
tested against as unnecessarily severe in its
provisions by some persons, but II mas re-
ceived considerable approval.
Other Favorable Reports.
The committee also ordered favorable
report on Senate bill zoos to permit the
Market Company to lay con-
duit and pipe across 7th street to furnish
means for refrigeration. BY this means
fluid for the tenants OF the
market company now in square 46l Will be
had
The committee also authorized a favor,
able report on Senate bill 696S, to amend
the District code, providing that any three
or more persons who desire to form com
many for the purpose of carrying On amy
enterprise or business which may be un-
Ia wfully conducted by an individual, eA-
cent banks of circulation or discount, RAN
roads and such other enterprises as may be
otherwise specifically provided for IN the
code. may file a proper certificate in writing
in the office of the recorder Of deeds, under
which authority they will be permitted to
do business.
This bill is especially to permit real estate
10 operate under its provisions.
Senate bill 3137 for the bonding of the
sealer of weights and measures TO the Dis
trict of Columbia instead of to the United
States and Senate bill 1883 for the regula-
tion of ticket brokers, were both favorably
The claim of William II. II. Hart for com
pensati for wards in the Hart farm school
was ordered referred to the Court of Claims
for adjudica tion.
Senate bill 673S allowing salary instead
of fees for certain public officials, was also
reported.