Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-24
Senate Passes Snow and Ice
Cleaning Bill.
OCCUPANT IS RESPONSIBLE
If Sidewalk Is Not Cleaned After
Storm Fine May Be Imposed.
SUNDAY BILL HELD OVER
Johnston Tries to Have It Consid-
cred, But Smoot objects-other
District Matters Up.

District Matters Up.
Anticipating the next blizzard in the
National Capital and the resulting snow
and ice through which its residents may
have to tramp, the Senate this afternoon
passed the Dillingham; bill providing for
the removal Of Snow and ice from the
paved sidewalks Of the District OF Co
lumbia-''
When the title Of the bill was read. as
it was reached during the consideration
of bills on the calendar, recollections OF
warIa weather of the past few days were
made evident by the general laugh that
spread around the chamber. Ambassador
James Bryce, in the diplomatic gallery.
upset the traditions of the English and
smiled broadly.
No objection being raised to present
nsideration, the bill was read In full.
1t provides that it shall be the duty of
every person, partnership, corporation,
joint stock company or syndicate III
charge or control of any building or lot
of land in the fire limits OF the Distrlct'
fronting Of paved Sidewalk. whether
owner. tenant, occupant. lessee or other
wise,'' to remove the snow and sleet from
the sidewalk in front of each respective
lot or building within the first four
hours of daylight after the ceasing to fall
of any snow or sleet."
Uron the Commissioners is imposed the
duty Of cleaning the snow from the SIDE
walks in front of public buildings or pup
lie reservations owned or leased by the
District and from cross walks or alley
intersections. And the chief engineer OF
the army is required to remove the snoW
from the sidewalks in front OF pubic
government In case the snow or ice can
not be removed, 1t Is then required OF IN
dividuals and of the District and Unlted
States officials to make the sidewalks
safe by sprinkling sand or ashes on
them.
District to Do the Work.
In case the owners or occupants of
property do not clean their sidewalks
within the first four hours of daylight
after the snow has ceased to fall 1t is to
be the duty Of the Commissioners to
clean the sidewalks or make them safe
for walking. The cost of the work is to
be certified to the corporation counsel.
and he is directed to bring suit to re-
cover the cost, with s. penalty for each
offense and costs.
And to enable the Commissioners and
the chief engineer OF the army to carry
out the law an appropriation Of $4,000 Is
authorized, payable one-hafr by the Dis
trict and one-half by the United states.
Senator Chamberlain Of Oregon was the
only one to raise a question about the
provisions OF the bill.
"It is conceded. I think, that there
are many non-residents in the Dis
trct." he remarked. and It seems to
me that they ought to be notified of the
cost Of work done in front OF their prop
erty before the corporation counsel be-
gins proceedings for recovery"
II think the difficulty seen by the
senator from Oregon is overcome by
the provisions Of the District CODE"
remarked Senator Dillingham;, author
Of the bill and in charge of it's passage.
He explained that the same provision
for notifying non residents would ap-
ply under this law as under other laws
where charges are made against the
property of non-residents. He thought
the rights of non-residents were re-
spected by the code. under which this
law would be put into effect.
No further objection was raised. and
without amendment the bill was
passed.
To Change Name of Fort Place.
The Senate also gave it's approval to
a bill to change the name Of Fort place.
between 18th and 18th streets northeast.
to Irving street. There was no discussion
of the measure. The Commissioners ap-
proved of the change in name. pointing
out that Fort place is practically a con-
tinuation of Irving street and that its
present name, when Irving street Is prop
erly extended. will be confusing
This condition of having different
names applied to the different squares
of the same street was formerly very
common in the District the Commits
sioners told Chairman Gallinger Of the
Senate District committee, land 1t Is one
which the Commissioners have consist
emily endeavored to remedy. The change
proposed in this bill Is in line with that
action.
Senator Johnston Of Alabama en-
deavored to get through his bill FOR the
proper observance Of Sunday as q day
of rest in the District of Columbia" But
Senator Smoot objected. Senator Johnston
pleaded with him to let the bill be taken
up today.
II have received a number Of letters
relating to this BILL Senator Smoot ex-
planned. land I desire time to look into
the matter. I will say, however, that
have no desire to prevent vote on the
measure"
The opponents Of this bill were given
every opportunity to be heard when the
bill was before the committee" Senator
Johnston remarked. The bill went over
without prejudice.
Tmo n<bar Taj1l. a. Nu>~