The Washington herald., 1910-03-15

1t was a field day in the House yester-
day for Representative Johnson, of Ken
lucky. who may be tho next governor of
his State. He was so busy trying to defeat
measures. on their dement's. as he ex-
pressed it. offered by Chairman Smith.
of the House District Committee. 1t be-
ing District day. that he was obliged TO
take his lunch in his seat at 4:S0.
Representative Clark had apparently
abandoned his minority leadership TO Mr..
Johnson. who announced every time Nr.
Smith called I'D a bill that he had vis-
ited the locality affected by the measure
in an automobile on Sunday. and was
fully acquainted with the circumstances
surrounding the physical questions at Is
sue.
Democrats in Force.
The Democrats were in better force
during the late afternoon than their op-
ponents. Under Mr.. Johnson's leadership
they forced Chairman Smith TO cry mo
quorum when they tried to lay bills on
the table. and to have ordered by the
Speaker roll calls with locked doors and
the sending for absentees ON the bill to
grant the Washington Market Company
the right to lay an overhead track and a
conduit and pipes under Water street 20
the Potomac.
The Market Company bin was finally
passed. with amendments which Repre-
sentative Mann helped to frame, but not
until every parliamentary tactic at Mr..
Johnson's command had been exhausted.
and as it was he kept the House in ses-
sion until clio ?. m. after the Demo-
Gratis had refused to adjourn at the re-
quest Of Chairman Smith. who was in
charge of the floor.
Bill Specifies Benehciaries.
The bill, as amended. specifies that the
Commissioners may issue permits TO the
Washington Market Company to lay the
overhead track, conduit. and pipes de-
sired to be laid. The bin. as phrased.
did not specify 10 whom such permits
were to be granted. and the committee
amendment reported with the bill men
toned as the beneficiary THE corpora
ton, company, or individual" to whom
permission may be granted. To this Mr..
Mann and Mr.. Johnson strenuously OBJ
jected and Mr. Smith obtained the pas
sage Of the measure only after bringing
in members with hats and coats on 20
vote
AS to this bin. Mr.. Johnson particu-
larry objected on the ground that he was
not willing 10 grant the use Of the streets
for private purposes. He said IL was a
dangerous precedent, and If the time
came 60 deepen the channel OF the river
al the point at which the conduit and
pipes are TO be let into the river, the
Washington Market Company would
have to come back to Congress for fur
ther permission TO tear up the concrete
in the river in which this conduit and
pipes are laid at an additional expense
OF time for discussion and money for the
work. perhaps to the government.
Would Not Trust CommiSsioners.
Answering Mr.. Smiths direct question
as to whether ne were not willing to
leave the matter TO the Commissioners
10 carry out. Mr.. johnson declared that
he would not be willing to leave an act
- of Congress to the Commissioners q. to
any one else to carry out Representa-
tive Sims of Tennessee, opposed the
bill on the ground that Washington is
the national seat Of government. and
that it is therefore no place TO build I'D
manufactures.
Opposing the bill TO authorize the ex-
tension Of Van Buren, street northwest
which was eventually laid aside with a
recommendation that it be unfavorably
reported, Representative Johnson de-
clared that the point Of the proposed i'm
provement was seven miles out in the
country. and that the nearest way 10 get
there was 10 go by way of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad 10 lamont Station
He had paid SO to go cut there on Sun
dav in an automobile. He was of the
opinion that the ground which 1t was
proposed 70 open. from Piney Branch
road 70 its present western terminus
east Of Third street, on Van Burer
street. was owned by not more than two
perhaps only one person. and he. Mr
Sims, Mr.. Mann and others could sec
no reason why the owner or owners
should not dedicate all Of the ground
only so per cent, in view of the fact that
the opening of such a new street so far
out in the suburbs would benefit only
one or at most two owners OF land.
Underwood Street Bill.
He charged that another bill, TO oper
Underwood street. was subject to similar
criticism. He charged that Underwood
street was just one block from Van
Buren street where it was proposed tc
omen the latter, and he said he believed
that the ground to be dedicated for both
streets belonged TO the same owner or
owners Mr.. Smith said he made it a
noint not to know who the owners OF
real estate are. in matters affecting bills
to open streets
The House also laid on the table the
bill 70 tax circuses exhibiting In the
District so a day for every day they
exhibit here. under Mr.. Johnson's leader
ship
Adopting an amendment proposed by
Representative Mann, giving Congress
co,Ssuuad nm pare 4 Column .