Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-27
LOCAL CALENDAR HAS DAY
One Enactment Provides Electrocu.
tion as Murder Penalty.
PUNISHMENT OF JOY RIDERS
Strict Law Against Borrowers" of
Automobiles-Ri Pollution
Forbidden.

Six measures affecting the District Of
Columbia passed by the House of Repre-
sentatives i'm little over half an hour to-
day marked the first District day in the
House that has been permitted this ses-
sion. Representative Johnson. chairman
Of the House District committee, started
on the calendar at the very moment that
the clerk had finished the reading Of the
journal and showed the six bills through
in record time
ElectrocutiOn as punishment for mur-
der in the first degree, as provided for in
the bill reported from the House Distric:
committee last Friday. will now go to the
President for approval. the Senate having
already passed the measure. Big fines
and five years of imprisonment for Joy
riders who borrow" other peoples auto
mobiles was also provided for in a bill
passed by the House. and the use of the
corridors of the courthouse of the District
Of Columbia was granted in the Senate
joint resolution which will allow the 9th
Regiment Of the Maryland National Guard
to encamp there during Inauguration.
The House also passed the bill giving
the Commissioners complete censorship
over moving picture films and pictures OF
all kinds when displayed in public places.
The bill prohibits the exhibition Of inde-
penalty of $40 fine as the maximum.
Provisions for Crime of Murder.
The bill providing electrocution also
provides that punishment for murder in
the second degree shall be Imprisonment
for life or fof not less than twenty years.
In all cases where the accused Is found
guilty of first degree murder. according
to the bill, the jury may qualify their
verdict by recommending life fmprison-
ment instead Of capital punishment.
The "anti-joy- ride bill, already passed
by the Senate, provides that any one who
shall take. use. operate or remove. or
cause to be taken. used, operated or re-
moved from garage, stable or other
building. or from any place or locality on
a public Highway, parks. parkway. street.
lot, field, inclosure or space, an automo-
bile or motor vehicle" shall be pun
ished by a fine Of not over $1,000. or
There was no discussion concerning this
bill.
The Senate bill which will permit the
incorporation of the German Orphan
it's board Of directors and in its con-
stitution was passed by the House.
Forbids River Pollution.
The defiling of the Potomac river by
refuse or Garbage of any kind is pre-
vented in a bill which passed without
opposition, and which regulates the use
of the water front to a certain degree
This was one Of the bills reported las;
Friday from the District committee OF
the House. 1t prevents vessel from ty-
ing up to wharves without the consent OF
the wharf owners, and also prevents the
building of wharves and the placing OF
rocks and sand in the river without the
consent Of the proper authorities.
private claim was taken up by Rep
resentative Johnson. providing that Cath.
crime Maroney Of Leadville, Col, be au-
thorized to take title to all real estate in
the District of Columbia as heir-at-law
of Mary Shugrue, deceased.
Immediately upon the passage Of this
latter bill the House went into committee
of the whole for discussion OF the rivers
and harbors appropriation bill.