The Washington herald., 1910-04-12

District day in the House dwindled
down to just two hours and twenty min
utes OF legislative effort yesterday. Six
bills OF local interest were passed. None
was taken up until 2:SO o'clock. and
many more were on the calendar. but
the House adjourned at 4.50 much earlier
than usual.
The bill providing for uniform ware
house receipts for the District of
Columbia, which has already passed the
Senate. was the first measure taken up,
1t has been approved by the American
WarehoUsemens Association, the Ameri-
can Bankers Association, the District
Commissioners, the local bar association.
and the Washington Board OF Trade.
It is practically identical in language to
the law in the principal commercial
States. Representative Mann. of Illinois,
said that he didn't suppose it was very
important whether the bin were passed,
but he added that If 1t were passed it
should not be changed. Opposition to it
came from Representative Johnson, Of
Kentucky. and Robinson. of Arkansas,
and long time was spent in its con-
sideration.
Bill Finally Passes.
The motion for the previous question.
made by Representative Campbell, OF
Texas, who had the bill in charge, brought
demand for the yeas and nays from the
Democratic side. A motion to adjourn by
Mr. Hay, OF Virginia. was lost. but dis
closed that there wasn't a quorum pres
ent, and good half hour of valuable
time was lost in a roll call. The previous
question was ordered. the Democrats
voting against it. and the bill was finally
passed.
The Commissioners bill to regulate the
height Of buildings IN the District was
passed without much debate. There are
various laws now existing IN relation
TO this subject, and the bill puts them
and the various building regulations into
concrete form. II also contains provis-
ions designed to limit the construction
Of c0mbustible buildings and TO encourage
the building of fireproof structures.
Whereas the present law permits the
erection of nondreproof buildings to a
height of five stories. or sixty feet, the
bill permits four stories, OF nifty feet in
height. The other changes In the law are
carried in the bill
The bill as amended will permit Of the
erection OF dome on the Palais Royal
Building.
Parole Bill Goes Through.
a bill was also passed making certain
minor amendments IN the act ineorporat-
ing St Vincent's Orphan Asylum, and
one providing for the parole, under GER
tain conditions, of juvenile offenders COM |
mitted TO the Reform School for Girls.
The House passed the Campbell bill /
providing for Imprisonment of from one /
10 seven years. or a fine not exceeding +
81 900. for conviction for kidnapping in |
the District The bill embodies the views /
of the corporation counsel and the United 1
States attorney for the District.
The liveliest debate of the afternoon oc-
cured upon the bill of Chairman Smith, /
which was passed. authorizing the City /
and Suburban Railway Company to ex-
tend its tracks from Michigan avenue
along Monroe street 10 the subdivision of /
Brookland, and 10 use the $4,000 bridge |
recently constructed across the Baltimore
and Ohio tracks within the lines of the
street
Must Pay sixth of Cost.
The opening OF the street and the
building of the bridge was % eliminate
a dangerous grade crossing at Michigsn
avenue and to furnish means for street
car service to Brookland. The bin pro
vides that the company shall not use
the bridge until it has paid TO the Treas
urer of the United States one-slxth Of
the cost of it, or 5000
The question of universal transfers for
the District was aired. Representatives
Wiley, OF New Jersey; Carlin. OF Vir-
ginia, and Kahn, Of California, taking