Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-16
Two District Measures Go
Through the Senate.
THE HEIGHT OF BUILDINGS
Senator Hepburn Criticises Erection
of Tall Structures.
LAMONT STREET EXTENSION
Senate District Committee Reports
Favorably Bill for the Supervi-
sion Of Moving Picture Films II

! District business occupied the time Of
the Senate today during the morning
hour. Two District bills were passed,
! one amending the act regulating the
height of buildings in the District, so that
no combustible non -fireproof building
used as dwelling. apartment house. hos
pital or dornitory shall be erected or
raised to height Of more than four
stories or more than fifty-five feet, and a
bill authorizing the extension OF Lamont
street northwest west Of 10Th street
The bill limiting the height of pri-
vate dwellings called out an expression
OF opinion by Senator Hepburn in re-
gard to business properties in WASH
| ington. He declared that he thought a
law should be enacted limiting the
| height OF business buildings and of
nreproof buildings, and that tn re
| should be no discrimination against
| the residences in matter of height
/ senator Hepburn said that not only was
the appearance OF the city being injured
| by the erection Of many tall buildings in
all parts OF Washington. but the erection
OK these buildings. cutting of the view
and the light and air Of persons living
In dwellings nearby. had lowered the
value OF these residences. He made the
point that II was unjust to residents OF
the District to allow the erection of build
ings which would reduce the value of the
holdings Of the residents He asserted
| that in great cities in foreign countries
| business buildings were restricted by law.
and he thought they should be SO re-
6tricted here.
while I believe that business should
be encouraged" said Senator Hepburn.
u would not do SO at the expense Of the
residents OF Washington. Many residents
are being driven into the outlying sections
OF the city by Just such tall buildings
would leg1slate for the residents ra&har
than for the business men who make
money from the residents."
Believes the Law Observed.
In reply Senator 0slllnger SID thsrs
was on the statute books q law now
regulating the erection Of business build
ings and, In fact. all buildingA He said
that he. too, deprecated the erection OF
tall buildings In the National Capital but
that he did not believe the law was now
being violated.
But you cannot halt business In this
city or in any other" declared Senator
ticut avenue. Just as IL has 9Th avenue
| In New York city. 1t has driven residents
out Of F. and @ streets"
Senator Gallipger asked that Senator
| Hepburn not object to the passage OF
the bill in hand, and promised that he
| would take UP with Senator Hepburn In
the future the matter OF further reguat-
ing the height of business buildings in the
city.
Senator Hepburn consented to this and
the bill was passed.
Supervision Of Picture Films.
The Senate District committee. at .
meeting today, authorized a favorable
report on a bill to prevent the exhibition
OF indecent or vulgar pictures in any
theater or moving picture show In the
District of Columbia The report was
later made to the Senate by Senator
Gaiinger.
The District Commissioners are en-
powered by the bill TO pass upon all
pictures or picture films intended TO be
exnibited in a moving picture show. ana
are directed to give these pictures the
seal OF their approval before they are
shown to the public. Every violation
OF the proposed law shall be punished
by fine not exceeding $40. on prosecu-
tion by information in the Police Court
Iof the District. filed in the name OF
the District by the corporation counsel
Bills providing punishment FOR the
larceny of public property t,pln ,p p,s
| workhouse and reformatory OF the DIS
1 trict and repeating portion OF an act
1 relating to the alienation of the ute
| OF the United States to land In Inc
District were favoraDiy reported aiso'
Recommended to Committee.
bill aimed 10 prevent the dropping
. Of any material into the Potomac river
or its tributaries in the District or
| Columbia or on the shores OF the river
| and it's tributaries below high water
| ,arL unless for the purpose Of build
ing a wharf. after permission has
| been obtained from the District COM
missioners. was favorably reported by
Senator Jones.
The bill was amended by the COM
| nittee however by striking out pro-
vision which prohibited a barge or
lighter from lying in front of or over
tapping any wharf. not owned or leased
| bv the owner or lessee of the barge or
lighter without the written consent OF
the owner of the wharf.
| Senator Jones made unfavorAbla
| report on a bill designed TO prevent the
| fving of kites in the streets, public
squares or any squares In the District
| of Columbia The bill also prohibited
| the sending up of fire balloons or para
| chutes.
| A favorable report was made by Sena-
| tor Gallineer a bill authorizing the
] District Commissioners to prepare new
| highway plan for that section lying west
! OF 18th street south of Taylor street,
east of Rock Greek park and north Of
| Newton street northwest
Universal Transfers Referred.
! The Senate District committee referred
| the Works bin for universal transfers on
| the street car lines of the District to the
| subcommittee on public utilities. and the
| Bristow bill for primary nominating elec-
tions in the District TO the subcommittee