The Washington herald., 1908-02-15

The serate Committee on the District
of Columbia had a busy session yesterday
at its regular weekly meeting, and as a
result. several bills relating TO the Dis
triet were favorably reported 10 the Sen
ate. but one being returned with a rec
ommendation that it do not pass.
The most important bill on the list is
that proposing to reform the fee system
in the Probate Court of the District
which was prepared by Register Tanner
and introduced by Senator Gallinger. The
bill has the warm approval of Judge
Gould. who presides' over the Probate
Court
The purpose OF the bill is to equalize
the proportlonate cost of registering and
probating wills as between the large and
the small estates. TO the end that the
former may bear a just proportion of the
expenses OF the registry office. The only
change OF a material nature made in the
bin by the subcommittee which had 1t
under consideration is the addition OF
new section, giving legatees and dis
tributes under the various wills twenty
days, in which notice OF the intention to
probate the will and the costs involved
shall have been mailed to them.
FavOrs soldiers Home.
Senator GaIltngeT made the report to
the Senate on this bill, and also on the
bin 10 provide for a temporary home in
the District for ex-UniOn soldiers and
sailors, now located in Third street south
east To this bill the amendments made
By the committee include the addition of
marines TO the classes TO benefit under
its provisions, and increasing the pro-
posed appropriation from $1,000 10 N0,O00
Senator Carter submitted the reports on
the following bills;
To provide for the extension Of Kenyon street from
Seventeenth street 70 Mount Pleasant street, and
for the extension Of Seventeenth street from Kenyon
street 10 Irving street.
To authorize the Commissioners 10 denominate
portions OF certain streets business streets and to
authorize the abuttiug property owners 10 use for
business purposes such portions Of the sidewalks and
parking Of those streets as may not be needed hy
the general public
To provide for the payment Of certain claims
against the District growing out Of the demolition
Of the old Northern Liberty Market, in septem-
heF lS72.
To rectify the boundary line Of Rock Greek Park
the park as were originally included in the map OF
the park and condemned for such use, but we're not
purchased, owing so lack Of funds
To extend oak street northwest from its present
terminus east of Center street 20 Fourteenth street
northwest with a width Of fifty feet.
Oppose Home for Negroes.
Senator Gamble also submitted the an
favorable report on the only bill upon
which such action was taken by the COM
mittee. that which proposed TO provide a
home for aged and inhrm negroes in the
District of Columbia. The funds for this
purpose were 10 be taken. under the
terms of the bill from the money in the
Treasury due the colored race on account
of the Freedmen's Bureau. The 0bjec-
tions made 20 the bill by the committee
were that there was no warrant for linn
fting such benefits as the proposed home
would confer 10 residents Of the District,
and that the District was not the proper
place in which 90 locate such a home.
more suitable sites and less costly ground
being available elsewhere, The bill was
ordered indefinitely postponed by the
Senate,
Change BiIPs Reference.
Senator Carter reported back to the
Senate from the District Committee the
bill introduced by Senator Daniel, of Vir-
ginia, providing for the construction Of
a memorial avenue on the south side of
the Potomac River. from Washington to
Mount Vernon, the costs to be betrayed
out of money owing to the State of Vir-
glnia, which was advanced TO the Fed
eTal government 10 aid it in constructing
the Capitol and other public buildings in
Washington. II was asked that the bill
be referred to the Committee on Claims,
as having the proper Jurisdiction, and the
reference was changed accordingly.