The Washington herald., 1910-01-25

Not only did the House pass seven Dis
trict bills yesterday, but more than ten
measures relating TO local affairs were
introduced and promptly referred.
Probably the most important Of these
was the bin submitted by Representative
Clark, of Florida. forbldding certain real
estate corporations IN the District TO use
the mails, because their operations are
conducted without governmental super
vision.
BIN Contains Changes.
The allegation is contained in the docu-
ment that these firms. chartered in vari-
Gus States. carry on a business In this
city and offer for sale stock and securi-
ties In land interests that are not as valu-
able as they are purported to be.
To remedy the alleged evil, Representa-
tive Clark urges that every real estate
corporation be obliged 10 take out a
license. the fee Of which shall be $l,000
before they are allowed to operate Such
firms must also file a monthly report with
the Secretary of the Treasury showing
the amount OF business conducted by
them
Mr.. Clark also presented a bill authoriz-
ing the Commissioners 10 institute judicial
proceedings for the forfeiture Of the
franchise OF the East Washington Heights
Traction Company, He claims the COM
pany has allowed its charter 10 lapse and
has obstructed the roadway for some
time
BY the terms OF the bill the purchaser
Of the line is authorized TO complete the
railway via Pennsylvania avenue to the
District line.
Representative Carey, or Wisconsin, pre-
sented two bills. one prohibiting the gas
light companies Of the District Of C0lum-
bia from charging more than 80 cents
per 1900 feet, and another extending the
term Of Representatives from two 10 four
years,
Chairman smith Busy.
Chairman Smith. OF the District Com
mittee. offered several bills, among them
being a measure to extend Massachusetts
avenue from Wisconsin avenue TO the
District line, and another 20 prepare a
park on Georgetown Heights on the land
north Of r street and east Of Lovers
Lane The sum Of $4,000 is authorized
20 establish the reservation.
He also presented a bill regulating the
height Of buildings in the District, which
changes the existing law, and provides
penalties for failure to obey. The meas
ure states that no cOmbustible or fire.
proof building used as a dwelling shall be
/ erected 10 a height OF more than four
stories or more than fifty feet Struc-
/ lures TO be used for business purposes
1 shall not be more than sixty feet high.
/ All buildings. except churches. that are
more than sixty feet high shall be fire.
lproof. and the proposed act requires that
! all hotels, apartments. &c, more than
( three stories must be fire proof also. Ev-
/ cry theater or building containing a hall
/ with a seating capacity Of 800 likewise
comes under the new regulation requiring
fire proof construction.
/ It is further provided that no building
shall be erected so as TO exceed in height
the width Of the street in front Of IT in
| creased by twenty feet. on business
streets the limit in the heighth is 1870
fleet. and on residential highways the lin
lit is eighty feet.
| Another bill, also drafted by the Com
Imissioners. institutes radical reforms in
| 1.-The establishment Of building lines and
carries special building restrictions.
Seven Bills Passed
/ District day in the House resulted in
1.-THE passage Of the following bills:
| Il. r. 1881. granting the Washington. Spa Srrinrs
and Gretta Railroad Company Of Maryland an ad-
dIuo1al six months in which 90 complete its lines
into the District
! H. r. 1883. requiring tie Baltimore and Ohio
I and the Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington
/ Rairoad companies 70 remove the present grade
! crossings Oh the line Of Il street northeast and
TO construct another crossing deemed more safe to
/ the public.
! Il r 1924 authorizing the Commissioners 70
! begin Proceedings within nirety days 70 condemn
the land necessary for the extension Of Park place
/ northwest, along the west line Of the Soldiers
! Home grounds
! II. r. 1873 authorizing the extension of Faragut
| street northwest from Fourteenth street 20 Piney
/ Branch road and Iowa avenue northwest, between
| Fourteenth and Sixteenth streets
| II. Il. l63S, authorizing the extension Of Franklin
YESTERDAY IN CONGRESS