Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-11
LOCAL BILLS INTRODUCED
MEASURES OF DISTRICT INTER
EST SUBMITTED TO SENATE.
Senator Gallinger Disclaims Advo-
cacy of Bills, Which Were Drafted
by the Commissioners.

The suspension of the jurisdiction. of the
District Supreme Court in. the gas cases
and of the proceedings of the court under
section ) of the act of Congress ap-
proved June q. 1896. and the suspension
of the act itself until further order of
Congress. is proposed in a resolution pre-
scented to the Senate today by Mr.. Gal
linger The resolution was drafted by
the District corporation counsel and for
warded to Mr.. Gallinger by the Commits
sioners.
Corporation Counsel Thomas says in
communication accompanying the resolu-
ton that he fears reduction in the price
of gas in the District may be prevented
on account of the Interpretation of the
court of section of the act.
In introducing this measure and four
other District measures Senator Gallinger
disclaimed any advocacy of the bills in
troduced by him. but drafted by the Dis
trict Commissioners.
Il desire to state" said Mr.. Gallinger,
that the five bills which have just been
read by their titles are bills which were
sent to me by the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia. Most of the bills
that I introduced come from that source
purpose of referring them to the COM
mittee.
The chairman is in receipt of numer-
Gus communications from residents OF
the District in reference to the bills
that he introduces, asking MIN con-
corning them, and whether or not he
approves of them. I think It is an
opportune time TO say that as rule
the bills which are introduced are bills
coming from the Commissioners. and
the chairman does not commit himself
in any way concerning them. lie sends
them to the committee, where they are
given consideration. One of the bills
introduced this morning is of a very
unusual character. and the chairman
would be very loath to commit himself
in advance"
Four Other Bills.
Four other local bills were introduced
tins afternoon by Senator Gallinger and
referred to the committee on the District
of Columbia. They provide for an amend
ment to the code of law for the District
with regard to the receipt of usurious in
terest; for an amendment to section Cos
of the code, relating to corporations; for
the appointment of members of the
boards of charities and of children's
guardians by the Commissioners, and for
an amendment to an existing act which
streets, vacant lots and inflammable
buildings. All four are measures advo-
Gated by the District Commissioners. and
all but that relating to fires were drafted
newly this fall.
BY section 1850 of the code any person,
other than pawnbroker, who contracts
verbally or in writing to receive more
than per cent interest ON loan shall
forfeit all interest. The amendment pro-
posed by Senator Gallinger provides for a
fine of not more than 500 or imprison-
ment for not more than six months for
violation of this section, on information
filed In the Police Court by the corpora
tion counsel or his assistants.
The other amendment to the code
strikes out the following proviso with ref
erence to the filing of a certificate in writ
ing in the case of persons desiring to in
corporate: THAT nothing herein con-
tanned shall be held to authorize the Or
ganization of corporations to buy, sell or
deal in real estate, except corporations
to transact the business ordinarily car
ried on by real estate agents or brokers'"