The Washington times., 1910-12-12
SELECT SIX BILLS
AS MOST URGENT
Commissioners Ask Passage
on Measures Important
TO the District.

Realizing that Congress will be able
10 devote only a limited time 20 the
consideration OF District business dur
ing the short session, the Commissioners
have carefully scanned the ffty-odd
District bills introduced during the pres
ent Congress and submitted TO Senator
Galllnger, chairman OF the Senate Dis
trict Committee, a list Of six measures
which they say are Of vital Importance,
with the request that they be speedily
considered and favorabIy acted upon
Arranged in order of their Importance,
the bills are as follows:
To provide for the payment of the
debt Of the District of CsoijlNlbfa and to
provide for permanent improvements
and for other purposes
To confer upon the Commissioners
OF the District Of Columbia the powers
OF a public service commission
For the creation of the police and
hremen's relief fund, 20 provide for the
retirement OF members OF the Police and
FIRE Departments, to establish a method
OF procedure for such retirement, and
for other purposes
For Laying Water Mains
ITO amend the act OF Congress, ap-
proved April 2. 1905. authorizing the
laying Of water mains and service sew
ers IN the District Of Columbia, the
/ for other purposes
To provide an additional method Of
enforcing and foreclosing TAX sales IT
the District OF Columbia, and for Other
purposes
TO regulate the business Of Ioanins
money on security Of any kind b. per
sons. firms and corporations other than
national banks savings banks. trust
companies, and rea5 estate brokers In
tho District 81 Columbia
The Commissioners say there are
many other bills which are of consider
able importance and their enactment al
this session would be most desirable
and beneficial, but they recommend for
special attention only the measures re
ferred 70 IN order that their passage al
this session of Congress may not be
jeODardized, ae may happen II time IS
devoted to other measures OF less vital
Importance
The bin to provide an additional meth
Cd OF enforcing and forec3osing tax
sales was forwarded 10 Congress today
The object Of the measure IS TO Sc
cure 10 the District and private Dur-
Chasers al tax sales an indefeasible title,
By proceedings in equity, 10 such real
estate, after all parties have opportu-
nifty to be heard. and subject TO the
control OF the court
Present Law Is Defective.
The present law, the Commissioners
say. Is defective in that large number
Of properties burdened with overdue
taxes cannot find purchasers either at
public or private sale, because OF the IN
ability Of the District authorities to give
a good title
The courts, Il is said. regard with dis
favor the transfer OF tax deed for
the dispropOrtionate vsius which the ar
rears Of taxes bears to Z 9 real value Of
the property. Consequently the District
becomes the bidder for I considerable
amount Of property, which II must hold
with little probability OF being able 20
dispose Of IL
The methods CT forecIosing proposed
IL the BIZ. the Commissioners say. would
provide for the conclusive disposition Of
all such cases by enabling the District
70 20 into court OF equity to perfect its
title.