Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-09
STOCK INITIATION CLAUSE.
April 90 Fixed as Next Hearing OF
Gas Stock Increase

At the regular weekly meeting OF the
House District committee this morning
April %, at half-past 10 o'clock in the
morning was fixed as the time of the next
hearing on the bill to repeal section o
the stock imitation clause-of the local
gas act Of 1896. At this time the Wash
ington Gas Light Company. through its
attorneys, will oppose the repeal of this
section. and will also. 1t is understood.
attempt to controvert the statement made
before the committee yesterday by Prof.
Bemis of Cleveland, Ohio, an authority
on gas, to the effect that SIS cents a thou
sand feet was the highest rate which
should fairly be paid for gas in the Dis
trict.
AT today's session most Of the time was
occupied by Justice Gould of the Supreme
Court of the District and Corporal Tan
ner, the register of wills, who argued for
the passage of the Senate bill to fix fees
and costs in the probate court of the
District. and to provide for their collec-
ton and payment. The main feature or
the bill is the provision for an increas
in the fees to be paid by big estates which
come before the probate court and cor
responding decrease in the fees to be
charged against smaller estates.
A favorable report was authorized by
the committee on the House bill pro-
viding for the incorporation of the Broth
erhood of Saint Andrew.
The subcommittee on steam railways,
of which Representative Hampton Moore
of Pennsylvania is chairman, recommend
ed to the full committee for adverse az
ton the Carlin resolution requiring the
District Commissioners to report to Con-
gress why no action has been taken look
ing to the construction of the railway
station In South Washington, north of the
Long bridge, provided for in the Union
station act of 1903.
subcommittee
recommended the tabling of the Senate bill
to authorize and require the Philadelphia.
Baltimore and Washington Railway Com
pany to maintain and operate track
connection with the United States navy
yard in this city, and recommended for
favorable action the House substitute for
this bill, introduced by Chairman Smith
Of the committee. and the Hay bill.
providing that the Mount Vernon Rail-
way Company. in making the change
from underground to overhead trolley in
connecting with the new Highway bridge.
may use $50 feet of the overhead system
at the north end Of the bridge. under the
supervision Of the Secretary of War.
Today the District committee had plan
ned to put in half dozen hours of good
hard work. but the fact that the House
was operating under suspension of the
rules, with the situation somewhat tick
lish. forced the committee to break up
at Ii 80 this morning. with no chance Of
getting together during the afternoon.
Next Monday under ordinary circum-
stances would automatically resolve itself
into District day. Under the peculiar
conditions that prevail. however. 1t will
be necessary for Chairman Smith to get
a special rule for the consideration of
District business. The House next Mon
day will. really. be working on the Iegis-
lative day Of last Monday, and last Mon
day was not District day. 1t is thought
Speaker Cannon and the rules committee
will turn a kindly ear to the requests OF
Chairman Smith for enlightenment.