The Washington times., 1912-04-06
PROGRESSNES ARE
LINING UP TO FIGHT
FOR PRIMARY BILL
Norris Measure Probably
Will Be Called Up in
House Monday.

Progressives of both parties in the
House are lining up for the fight on the
Norris Presidential preference primary
bill, which applies to the District OF
Columbia, and which probably will be
called up in the House on Monday, the
next regular District day.
The Norris bill was reported unan-
imously yesterday by the House Dis
trict Committee. Tho Senate commit
tee, however, made an adverse report on
the Bristow bill in the upper chamber,
but favorable action in the House will
aid the Senate progressives in their ad-
vocaey of the measure.
The Bristow and Norris bills are in
tended as models for the various States
and In the event of passage will mean
progressive victory and official recog-
milton of the Presidential preference
primary system, although II can apply
only to the District of Columbia.
1t is provided that the primary cleo
tions shall be under control of the Dis
trict Commissioners and the bills pro-
vide the necessary legal machinery for
the as"ertainment Of both the first
choice and the second choice" of the
District voters. Delegates to the ma
oath that they will obey the mandate
or the voters as expressed In the pri-
msries
The Australian ballot system is pro-
Vided and in the event there is no ma
uonal conventions are reqired to take
may be selected by combining the first
and second choice votes.
1he Ihstrict Committee also had n
! cleanup day. and reported out a num-
her OF bills which have been hanging
hre IN the COMMITTEES for somo weeks.
the h Hmnse ane event if the Norris bill passes
giving ofti5ial approval to the progress
, ssrISSe platt1rm Of Presidential primaries.
Inc Inc Dill provides complete lega. ma
IN the District, and Congressman Nor
Cls SAID today that he hoped to make
fne 70 t nl6l apply when when it passes the House
as al succeeding campaigns,
The Norris bill provides for primar ries
in,a IN January preceding the. national con-
kSenuon. put Mr.. Norris said today that
ne hoped to have the bill amended in
the House so that 1t would provide for
both Democratic and Republican prt-
marles to be held between this date and
the conventions in June.
May Vote This Spring.
In the event this change is made in
the bill, 1t will have the effect of nuli~
Tying the recent election of the Repub-
lcan delegates to the Republican
national convention, and will mean that
both Democratic and Republican voters
In the District must vote for their pre-
ferred Presidential candidates and dele
gates. ...... ..-. ..- 49,.
The Norris bill probably will be called
up in the, House next Monday, and the
I unanimous report of the District Com
! mittee forecasts favorable action in the
! lower branch of Congress. 1t may also
be possible to get either the Norris or
Bristow bills, which are practically
Identical, through the Senate by means
OF the Democratic and progressive coal
ition.
Other bills favorably reported yestcT-
day OF the House District Committee
are as follows:
II. r. S615. requiring the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal Company to build and
maintein bridges, when ordered by the
Commissioners, over the Chesapeake
and Ohio canal.
Senate 2224, providing that hereafter
no combustible or non-fireproof building
In the District used as a dwelling OF
apartment house, hospital. or dormitor!
shall be raised more than fifty-five fee
above the sidewalk.
H. r. 22642. providing for the protec.
tion OF the interests of the United State:
In clarifying the titles to lands and
waters comprising any part of the Po
tomac river, Anacostia river or Eastern
Branch, and Rock Creek and lands ad.
Jacent thereto.
Fines For Delinquent.
H. R. 2643, providing a fine not tc
exceed S25 and imprisonment from one
to six months for any person who will
nj NJ
other publication belonging to an,
library in the District.
H. r. 22010. requiring that hereaftel
drivers of taxicabs and other vehicles
for hire in the District must procure a
license from the assessor, which license
shall not be granted unless the appli
cant is a person of good moral char
acter.
II. r. 1904. providing that it shall b,
deemed a felony to carry openly or con
cealed about the person any pistol
bowie knife, dirk, blackjack, dagger
sword cane, slunRshot, brass or othel
metal knuckles: This is the. Sims bill
Senate 1904, conferring upon the Com
missioners of the District authority t.
regulate the operation and equipmen
of the Metropolitan Coach Company.
II. r. H7l0, making more drastic tn
law relating to false pretenses and pro
Viding that in the event person OBJ
tains property or money amounting I
$35 or more through false pretenses h
may be imprisoned not less than on
year or more than ten years. Anothe
section provides that 1t shall be a mis-
demeanor to defraud any hotel or board
ing house of a board bill.
II. r. 2l1l, amending the act relatin
TO blackmail and providing for imprison
ment for not more than fve years .
a fine of not more than $1,000 or bot
for those who attempt blackmail.
II. r. 2l7l3, requiring all foreign cor
pora:ions doing business In the Dlstrlc
TO file with the Recorder of Deeds
copy OF its charter and full informatio
regarding the assets, liabilities, an
other business details of the corporation
management.
For Breach of Trust.
H. r. 2l7l4, providing imprisonmen
and fines for those guilty of breach o
trust in converting TO their own US
1af In hNya hat