The Washington herald., 1912-04-06
HOUSE COMMITTEE
FAVORs PRIMARIES
Norris Bill One Of Them to
Be Fayorably Reported
by Members.
FINAL VOTE ON MONDAY

The bill introduced by Representative
Norris, which provides for the holding
in the future Of direct Presidential pref
erential primaries in the District, was
one of fifteen measures favorably report
cd by the House District Committee at
the conclusion OF a long session yester-
day morning
The record of action on fifteen meas
ures at one sitting stands as the high
record for either House or Senate at
this session of Congress, and probably
will remain so. Py acting on the meas
ures the District Committee of the
lower chamber cleared its decks for
careful consideration of the universal
transfer BILL the public utilities bill,
and the measure creating a permanent
plan Of retirement for policemen and
firemen, all of which will be taken up
IN short while.
Commissioners in Charge.
The Norris direct primary bill gives
the District Commissioners supervisory
power over the elections, which are to
be held on April Of years when Presl-
Dental and Vice Presidential candidates
are to be chosen. In order to vote at
the primaries one must have been a
'NSANCNl VI AllC DlSlllNA lOL al ltdsl OHt
gear.
The number of precincts provided for
is more than 100. making it comparative
" easy for the election officials to keep
tab on voters and for violations Of vari-
Gus clauses the fines range from s. to
E,0O0, with imprisonment
Enemies of the bill declare that Rep
resentative Norris sole purpose in in
Producing it is TO force the Republicans
against the proposition.
The committee also favorabIy reported
the measure restricting the issuance of
licenses to taXicab drivers and hack
drivers and allowing a revocation OF the
permit to drive vehicles upon grounds
Of misbehaviOr found by the police.
Measures Acted On.
Other measures acted on were: A bill
TO confer on the Commissioners the
right to regulate the operation of the
vehicles of the Metropolitan Coach Com
.pany; a new bill relating to the carry
ing of concealed weapSns, a bill pro-
Viding fine and imprisonment for per-
sons refusing to return books borrowed
from any public library (this was also
favorably reported by the Senate COM
mitteeD; bill giving the Attorney Cen
eral the right to bring suit in order to
protect the title of the United States
to lands bordering on any streams in
the District; a bill limiting the height
Of dwelling houses to fifty-five feet: a
bill TO require the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal Company to maintain bridges over
its canal. and several bills amending
the civil and criminal provisions of the
District code.
The concealed weapon measure intro
duced by Representative Sims prohibits
the carrying-either openly or concealed
of a pistol. bowie knife, dirk knife.
blackjack. Slung shot. or brass knuckles.
All of these measures will probably be
brought before the House on Monday,
and it is expected will be passed with
out opposition. unless members proceed
to take the Norris primary bill to pieces
and delay action on it. Il has been
claimed that this measure is not drawn
with n view to the commission form
of government in this city, but is copies
from State laws on the subject. This
is expected to lead to contention on
the House floor.