The Washington herald., 1909-02-02
DISTRICT BILLS PASS
Senate Enacts Measures to
Improve the City.
CHILD LABOR LAW AMENDED
Little Opposition shown to PROPOSE
tiOnS Framed 10 Benefit Local AZ
observation-disclosures 10 Fire Escape
and Employment Agency ReguIa-
tiOns Unanimously Adopted.

It was a field day for District bills
in the Senate yesterday.
With but few exceptions every measure
Of interest to Washingtonlans on the
calendar. under rule S, was passed with
out dissenting vote
The consideration OF the calendar. fol-
lowed a brief executive session in which
Henry I. West was confirmed as Com
missioner Of the District This move
seems to have exerted an influence on
the elder statesmen TO clear Up al pend
ing local matters, for Senator Gallinger
remained in his seat until the last meas
ure had been adopted. and explained
each item when there was any sign OF an
objection.
one OF the first bills passed was the
measure providing for the elimination
OF certain grade crossings in the Dis
,riet. This measure requires the Wash
ington, Alexandria and Mount Vernon
Railroad 10 make necessary changes from
underground and overhead 20 w.re sys-
tens on lie approach 10 the Washington
end Of the new Highway Bridg--
VIII Extend New York Avenue.
Senator Carter's bin authorizing the
extension OF New York avenue frorA It's
present terminus at Fourth street 10
Bladensburg road, upon such lines as the
Commissioners may deem best, with a
width OF 80 feet, was passed.
Favorable action was also taken on Sen
ator Dnlingham's bin providing for the
extension Of Nineteenth street from Bel
mont road 20 Bitrnore street.
Another important measure enacted was
the bin introduced by Senator Warner on
March IS 10 amend the act requiring the
erection OF IRE escapes in certain build
ings in the District
It provides that each elevator shaft
and stairway extending 70 the basement
Of building. shall terminate in a freproof
compartment or incl0sure. separating the
shaft from other parts Of the baseme.t.
and no opening shall be made fin such
compartment unless IT be provided with
self-closiDg freproof doors: and thar
such elevator shaft shall extend above
the roof and terminate with ventilating
skylight Such buildings as are defined
0luNl AllE uAl4uAAE tcGU4dLDflS or Lne
District Of Columbia 10 b. freproof are
exempted from the requirements OF this
act as 10 fire escapes and guide signs
when the stairways. elevator shafts. and
means Of egress are reasonably safe u
the Judgment OF the Commissioners OF
the District OF Columbia
Child Labor Law Amended.
BY the terms OF the bill relating TO the
OF child labor in the District,
any person violating any Of the provisions
of Senator Galiingcr's bin shall be pun
ished 10y fine of not more than go.
Other measures passed yesterday were
Senator Burkett's measure amending the
law governing employment agencies in
the District where fees are charged Tor
procuring employment or situations: Sen
ator GauinCer's bill for the relief Of Wal
ter F. Rogers with regard 20 payment OF
damages on account Of the Union Station
grade construction: the two measures re-
lating 20 the Washington Hospital for
Foundlings.
Among the bills that went over for
al a later date were: A
bin 20 amend the act regulating the prac-
tice Of medicine and surgery IN the Dis
trict. and an act Tor the organization OF
the District militia 10 enable It TO qualify
under the Dick military law