The Washington herald., 1908-01-10

The Senate Committee on the Dlstflct or
Columbia viii hold its first meeting since
the holiday recess this morning. when
several matters of vital interest TO the
District viii be taken up and acted upon.
The Union Station trackage bin, which
was prepared by the Commissioners and
has the approval of Senator Gallinger,
chairman of the committee. will be pre-
sented TO the committee by the chairman.
and the amendments offered by Senator
Hansbrough will be taken up in connec-
ton with the bill.
4 favorable report on the bill will be
authorized by the committee. and it is
hoped by those members who have the in
terests OF the District at heart that the
amendments VIII not be included in the
report.
one of these provides for universal
transfers, to be exchanged by the two
railroad companies, aud the other pro
vides for a heavy franchise tax. to be
levied not only upon the traction COM
panles. but upon the other public service
corporations as We'll
Won't Approve Tax Plan.
II may be stated that the latter amend
ment viii not be accepted BY the commit
tee. but there is a chance that the trans
fer provision will be included in the bill
when Il is reported back 10 the Senate
which will pTbbably be on Monday next
There is much opposition to the transfer
amendment in the committee, as we'll as
in the Senate itself. as being likely 70 de-
lay or defeat the bill
Should one or both Of the amendments
be turned down in the committee. Sena-
tor Hansbrough viii offer them in the
Senate again when the bin comes up for
discussion and passage, and they are
likely to delay the measure. At the last
session of Congress similar amendments
which were offered I'm the House had the
effect Of preventing the legislation, but
now that the actual condition confrOnts
Congress of providing for communication
with the new station, or compelling the
large travelling public which passes
through this city 70 walk, it Is believed
that the proposed legislation has a better
chance Of passage Senator Gallinger has
done much to smooth the path which It
must travel, and is working hard 10 put
II through the Senate In acceptable form.
Senators Rurkett, Carter, Newlands,
Paynter. and Johnston, all of whom are
members of the District committee. are
understood to be warm friends of the
measure. and Senator Dillingham; IS an
/ outspoken advocate of t.
To Favor Tuberculosis Bill.
/ Senator Ganingers bill providing for the
/ registration Of cases of tuberculosis IN
the District, and for measures designed
/ TO prevent the spread Of that disease in
the city, will also be presented 10 tht
committee at its meeting to-day. and II
/ Is believed that Il viii be ordered favor
ably reported to the Senate without
/ amendment This bill has the indorse-
ment OF the medical fraternity and Oi
/ all others who realize the danger which
/ the great white plague presents 20 public
/ health in the large cities OF to-day. and
/ It Is expected 20 meet little opposition
/ The school question will also be pre-
sented to the committee informally, al
though whether Senator Burkett. chair
man Of the subcommittee on schools OF
1 Senator Scott, who introduced the resO-
/ luton which the Senate passed before the
/ holidays, calling for an investigation Of
/ the school question, viii bring up the
matter. could not be learned yesterday
/ It is unlikely that any definite action
viii be taken upon this question al pres
ent, OF that the proposed inquiry VIII be
/ held in the near future.
StiII After school Board.
Senator's who have been prominent ir
the establishment Of the present sChoO
system Of the District, and active IN con
nection with the proposal to investigate
the condition created by the differences
between the board and the former super
intendent, admitted yesterday that ther'
is considerable agitation under the sur
face in the Senate for the abolition o.
the present board, but none of them fel
capable OF predicting what would be tn,
outcome. The most that any of then
would say was that the matter will prob
ably be allowed TO rest for the present
Certain developments which some eXpec
to follow the recent action Of the boarC
in dismissing the superintendent how
lever. may change the complexion Of opin
ion in the District coEmittee at any tim
and bring about the investigation whicl
has been authorized.
Several minor matters affecting the Dis