Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1913-03-17

NOW UPON The
HOMESTRETCH

the last week Tor the consideration OF
general legislation. With the end of
the legislative day next Friday, which
will occur sometime Saturday morn
ing, a recess will be taken until April
Z After action on the general appro-
priations and claims bills on April
z and s final adjournment will he
taken on the latter day. The last
week generally is featured by con-
fusion, an inclination to haste, and
the baportuning of members of both
bralches
In anticipation Of this Speaker Hol-
comb has had stretched across the
rear of the House chamber a rope
covered with red material as a dan
ger warning, beyond which nobody
except persons having the privilege
OF the floor will be permitted 20 pass
Speaker Holcomb has instructed Ser
geant-at-arms Scott to enforce the
rule of privilege of the floor. IF | can
prevent it there will be no such con-
fusion as has been witnessed in past
Legislatures on the closing days said
Speaker Holcomb In the Senate
chamber, which is a smaller room,
President pro tenn Marshall has de-
cided that the floor must be kept as
clear as possible and that the privi-
leges will be extended only to those
persons regularly authorized to go
upon the floor With day and night
sessions until the end of the week,
the Legislators have busy time ahead
OF them that will tax their patience,
Boulevard Legislation.
The most important legislation to
be acted .upon is that to assure the
State the construction of the dupont
boulevard Action on the amend
merits framed by a committee of
lawyers will be taken sometime this
week and the result is awaited
anxiously by the public. There is no
doubt but that the frank statements
made by General DUPONT at the hear
ing before the Legislature. and also
the concessions made by him in pro-
posed amendments he voluntarily sub
mitted to the Legislature. have wiped
away most of the opposition, some
of that remaining being attributed to
prejudice rather than a consideration
\ OF the general welfare Of the people
of the State.
Ten Hour Bill.
Among other important bills to be
acted on arc the Ten-Hour Employ
ment bill for women. which has been
burdenod down with amendments in
the Senate and the bill to regulate
the employment of children. Both OF
i these measures have passed the House
and in that condition we're generally
regarded as satisfactory to nearly all
the conflicting interests. The Senate
committee. however has listened TO
the persuasions of interests that wish
TO wipe out the most effective regula-
tive features of the bill to safeguard
the employment OF women. The child
labor bill is still in a Senate commit
tee.
Public Utilities Bill.
= Another important measure to be
acted on this week is that to create
a state Public Utilities Commission
of three members to be appointed by
the Governor The bill as reported 20
the House combines the best features
of the Tener bill in Pennsylvania,
and of the New Jersey. Public Utilities
Law. and would give the Commission
regulative authority over all public
service corporations in the State.
While bills have been introduced by
4 Representative Hammond and Sena-
tor Fooks. Democrats. il is said that
some of the Republican members OF
the Senate will join in passing the
Hammond bill.
Should this bill be passed IT would
wipe out the Public Utilities Commits
sion of Wilmington A bill to amend
the law creating the Wilmington
Utilities Commission has been in
troduced by Senator Gormley and the
Commissioners have been here ad-
vocating IL. The amendments would
strengthenn greatly the present law
and extend beyond any question the
authority Of the Board of Utility Com
missioners to require both service
corporations in Wilmington TO file fin
ancial statements and comply with
other orders of the Board.
Thus far the bills to amend the Will
mington tax collection laws, which
have been endorsed by City Council,
have not made any progress. il seems
that the friends of the tax collectors
in Wilmington have had more inHu.
ence with legislators than City Couu-
Gil has had The bills If enacted, would
assure the collection of delinquent
and outstanding taxes in Wilmington.
which amount to more than S250,000, II
is claimed
Would Tax Corporations.
Somehow or other, the bill to allow
CITY Council TO fix the amount OF
taxes that must be paid by public ser
vice corporations on their rails. con-
duits. wires, pipes. etc. has struck a
snag in the Legislature. The taxes
now are specifically fixed by the State
statute. but Council desires the right
to change the amounts whenever Il
may be deemed necessary. Corpora
ton Influences have bean here oppos.
ing this bill
Sometime during this week the bill
70 amend the Constitution by providing
for the initiative and referendum. will
know its fate The bill has passed the
House and is now in Senate commit.
eeD In all probability it will be killed
IN the Senate II requires twelve votes
which It is said, are not yet in sight.
The corrupt practices act to regu.
late the expenditure of campaign
funds. has been reported on it's merits
to the Senate There are several bills
for the construction Of state-lons
highway pending the principal one o.
which is Senator Walls bill to author
ize the state to borrow S75O.0OO for tn,
\ construction of such a road but IT il
hardly likely that any such legisla
ton will be enacted this session
Many members of the Legislature fee