The Washington herald., 1908-05-16

Whirlwind legislating was the order of
business in the Senate yesterday. the
getaway rush having begun. and the
District had its share Of attention during
tie day. which Witnessed the passage
of nearly all the bills on the calendar
under rule s. OF those against which
no objection had been made.
The Johnston bill. providing for the
stricter observance OF Sunday in the
District; the Martin bill, providing for the
acceptance Of the record OF a will or
a deed as prima faeie evidence that the
paper so recorded Is in existence. so far
as court procedure is concerned; the bill
providing for the building OF a boulevard
on the south side Of the Potomac from
Washington TO Mount Vernon, and the
bill TO provide a system Of probation
and parole for criminal procedure in the
District, were the measures Of local i'm
port which went through In the rush.
Provisions of Sunday Law.
The Johnston bill. which caused con-
siderable agitation among sectarian bodies,
and was the subject Of an extended hear
Ing before members Of the District Com
mittee, provides that II shall be unlawful
for any person or corporation in the Dis
trict. ~on the first day Of the week. com
monty called Sunday, 10 labor at any
trade or calling. or to employ or cause
TO be employed. his apprentice or servant
IN any labor or business, except in house
hold work or other work Of necessity or
charity, and except also newspaper pub
fishers and their employees. and except
also public Service corporations and their
employees, in the necessary supplying
OF services to the Ueople of the District .
II is also specifically made Illegal for
any person on that day to engage in .anv
circus, show, or theatrical performance.
sacred concerts and the regular business
OF hotels and restaurants being excepted
from this provision.
Delivery of Food Excepted.
The delivery OF articles of food. in
Guiding meats. at any time before 16
o'clock a. m on any Sunday. from June
TO October /; the sale Of milk fruit
confectionery, ice, soda and mineral
waters, newspapers, periodicals. cigars.
and the business Of livery stables and
other public eonveyances. the use of pri-
Nate conveyances. and The handling Of
the United states mails are also excepted
from the operation OF the proposed law.
FCt violation or the proposed law q
maximum fine Of SIG or Imprisonment for
not more than ten days or both. in the
discretion Of the court, are the penalties
provided by the biH. Persons who are
members OF a religious society which OBJ
serves as the Sabbath any other dav Of
the week than Sunday are not liable for
working on Sunday. but ii is provided
that they shall rest from labor one day
In each seven. under the conditions laid
down for other persons on Sunday.
CIemency for EviIdoers.
The probation and parole bin creates
2 commission. TO be known as the pro
baton commission. to consist Of the ius-
tees OF the District Supreme bench. who
may for the time be presiding IN the
Criminal Court. the judges of the Police
Court, the Judge of the Juvenile Court.
anG two residents Of the District who
have been such for the five years imme-
diateiy preceding their appointment. 10 be
appointed by the District Commissioners
for term Of three years, the commits
sion to serve without compensation. The
commission is TO have control Of all pro-
baton and parole matters In the District.
and to appoint a chief probation guard
ian, at $3.50 a year. three probation
guardians. one a woman. at 81. 200 each,
and three assistant probation guardians,
one a woman, az 500 a year each, and a
clerk, at $120 q year, Volunteer proba ton
guardians are also provided for, to serve
without compensation.
May Recommend Parole.
The courts Of the District are given
power in all cases except those involving
treason. murder. and other crimes OF a
serious nature. to place prisoners upon
probation when they deem that the cir
cumstances warrant such clemeney. per
sons so placed to be under the supervi-
sion Of the probation commission. which
SEay upon proper Investigation recon-
mend to the court having Jurisdiction
that any prisoner so put on probation be
paroled. The courts are given power to
parole persons so commended, upon con-
ditions to be made by the courts. Pro-
vision is made for the carrying out OF
the original sentence IN any case IN which
the prisoner proves unworthy OF the
clemency granted.
The bill proposing 10 construct an ave
nue. or the south side Of the Potomac
was introduced by Senator Daniel. It
authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury
10 pay to the treasurer Of the Mount
Vernon Avenue Association, a Virginia
corporation. to which that State assigned
its claims against the government for
money advanced during Washington's ad-
ministration for the construction of gov
eminent buildings in Washington, the
money due the State as principal on the
loan, amounting to sl20,0O0 The State
assigned its claim TO the association for
the purpose OF its use In the construction
Of a highway or boulevard from WASH
1ngton 70 Mount Vernon.
The bili also provides for the payment
Of $4,000 to the State Of Maryland. that
sam having been advanced TO the Federal
government by the Old Line State for the
same purpose as was served by the dona-
ton from Virginia.
Postpones liquor Regulation.
The Senate District Committee at its
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