Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-23
COMPANIES ALLOWED TIME
Step in Right Direction" Says Mr..
Madden.
DISTRICT CHILD LABOR LAW
Ordered to Be Reported With
Amendments Prohibition
Hearing Next Wednesday.

NlQcty-cent gas LOT the DiStIict OI w.
Iumbia will be an accomplished fact after
January 1. 1909, if Congress follows the
example set by the House District COM
mittee at its regular weekly meeting to-
day. for the committee authorized by a
unanimous vote a favorable report on the
bill introduced by Representative Cary Of
Wisconsin to fix the price of gas in the
District of Columbia at 80 cents a thou
sand cubic feet, with two amendments,
one changing the price to 30 cents. and
the Other--taken from the Madden bill
making it obligatory for the Washington
Gaslight Company and the Georgetown
Gaslight Company to furnish the same can
diepower as now. This action Of the House
District committee will probably be even
more appreciated by residents of George
town and other portions of the District
supplied by the Georgetown Gaslight Com
pany than will those consumers on the
books of the Washington Gaslight Com
pany. for the latter are now getting dol
lar gas, while the other consumers are
paying $1.25.
sIhefo was considerable discussion in
committee over fixing the date when
f0e law should go into effect. The Cary
INA UfVVIQeQ In8l tne new 16le SuOQiQ
go into effect May I. 1905. but 1t was con-
ceded that this was somewhat short no.
tice, and after some mention of July 1.
1908. the date was finally set at January
l. 1863.
1r. Madden Pleased.
Representative Madden Of Illinois. vino
introduced the original cut-price gas bill
75col(fer-had a few gratified comments
TO make this morning when informed OF
the action of the District committee.
This is a step in the right direction"
said Mr.. Madden. IT think the commit
tee was quite liberal to the gas com-
panies, but. at the same time IL tb.
sress and the consumer half way, this
action win be satisfactory, am sure. 20
those Of US In the House who believe that
actually fair price to both gas co'u-
panies and to consumers would be sorne-
what lower than 80 cents a. thousand
|The District committee today also took
action on several other important meas
ures one being the child labor law. The
bill was introduced by Representative
Smith of Michigan. ard has been In
charge of the subcommittee of which
Representative OlcOtt of New York Is
chairman. Mr. Olcott was instructed by
the committee to make number OF
amendments to the bill, most of them OF
minor character, and to report the
measure favorably. One Of the amend
ments permits the employment of chill
dren in theatrical productions under prop
er restriction. The general terms Of the
bill have been repeatedly published In
The Star.
Employment Agencies.
The committee favorably reported the
bill introduced by Representative Taylor
Of Ohio to amend the act to regulate the
keeping Of employment agencies in the
District where fees are charged for pro-
curing employment or situations. This
bill. was considered at the last session of
Congress as well as this, and its terms
are well known.
"A favorable report was authorized by
Representative Hay of Virginia permit
ting the Washington. Alexandria and
Mount Vernon Railway Company to use
its present overhead wire construction on
the approach to the new Highway bridge,
beginning at point not exceeding $50
feet from the Washington end of the
bridge.
The committee acted adversely on the
bill introduced by Chairman Smith
amending the laws and regulations of the
deaths and the disposal of dead bodies
and also laid On the table the measure
which has been under consideration BY
the Campbell subcommittee on the Judi
c1ary to hx fees in the probate court
The next prohibition hearing will be
April .. and will be wet" Representa-
tive Bartholdt of Missouri and BouteIl
and SABBATH of Illinois will be heard
against the Sims prohibition BILL