Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-18
POORER PLACE IS GIVEN
SENATE DISTRICT BILLS
Four Measures Transferred on
Calendar From Under
Rule 8 to Rule 9.

, District legislation that was on the reg
ular calendar OF the Senate got a body
blow from Senator Hepburn this morn
ing. On his request 1t was removed from
the advantage position Of being on rule
VIII to the disadvantageous position Of
rule TX. Among the bills affected are the
loan shark and the Sunday rest meas
ures.
AS long as a bill remained on the rule
VIII calendar 1t was called up whenever
the Senate took up its calendar, which
is every few days. And there was
chance that an obtecting senator would
be out Of the chamber when 1t was
reached and 1t could be pushed through
In his absence-not taking advantage of
the absent one. but simply depriving him
Of an opportunity to talk and protest
when the majority Of the Senate was ia
vorable to the passage of the bill.
Under rule TX, however, bill Is not
taken up unless a motion to proceed to
its consideration is passed and the OBJ
1ecting senator or senators have been no.
tilted In advance that an effort will be
made to pass it.
The first bill on the calendar under rule
VIII, which was taken up shortly after
;he Senate convened this morning, was
Senator Johnston's Sunday rest bill
Hepburn Asks Transfer.
The clerk had not finished reading the
title before Senator Hepburn asked its
transfer to rule TX.
Senator Johnston. its author, was not
in the chamber to raise an objection; but
Senator Bacon Of Georgia voiced q pro-
test.
II think all these bills that have been
called up several times and been objected
to should go to rule IX," suggested Mr.
Hepburn In response: II am not selecting
any particular bills"
Senator Bacon argued. however. that in
the absence of the senator In charge OF
the bill nothing should be done with 1t.
No formal issue was made. however. and
the bill was transferred to the "morgue''
calendar.
The loan shark bill came up In the reg
ular order a minute later, and Senator
Hepburn made the same request. 1t was
Senator Page. republican. Of Vermont,
who objected to the transfer.
I'm the absence OF the senator in
be passed over" Mr.. Page suggested.
after remarking that Senator Curtis, who
has been fathering the measure. was not
in sight.
torted MIR. Hepburn. He contended that
the bill still remained on a Senate calen-
dar for consideration at the proper time.
THE only point is that we may not be
kept continually on watch"
Senator Page insisted on his objection:
and as his next move, Mr.. Hepburn
moved the transfer Of the bill to rule TX.
About an equal number Of "ayes'' and
noes" we're heard. when the motion was
put: but Vice President Sherman an
nounced that the ayes had it.
The third District bill on the rule VIII
calendar proposed to repeal an act Of
March 3. 1880, authorizing the Secretary
OF War to give clear title to private per-
sons to q considerable amount of land in
the original city of Washington on proof
of continuous possession for twenty
years. Mr.. Hepburn interposed. and the
measure met the fate Of the others with
out discussion.
So with the other District bill on the
regular calendar. that directing the At
torney General to begin suit in the Dis
trict Supreme Court to determine the
rightful owner. as between the United
States and those in possession of land
lying along the waterways of the District,
and providing a new method for the con-
demnation Of land in the District de-
sired for the use Of the United States.