Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-03-04
Wage Probe Bill Dies.

\ vigorous attempt was made to have
Congress enact legislation providing
for an investigation by the Depart
ment of Labor into the cost of living
in the District of wage earners outside
the government employ. The investiga-
ton was to be used as the basis for
minimum wage law in the District. A
Joint resolution authorizing the ex-
penditure of $4,000 was favorably re-
ported to the Senate from the commit
tee on education and labor and was
pending on the Senate calendar when
Congress adjourned similar item
was included by the Senate in the sun
dry civil bill. but was lost in con-
ference. Further efforts will be made
to provide for this investigation at
the newt session of Congress.
Under the leadership of Senator Nor
ris of Nebraska the Senate put into the
supdry civil bill an item of $4,000 to
basin into a bathing beach for the peo-
PIE of Washington. The conferees had
decided to keep this item in the law,
when the public health authorities re-
ported that the water in the basin was
unhealthy for bathing purposes So
strongly was the Senate in favor of
this project. however. that in the clos
ing days of the session a resolution in
.troduced by Senator Norris calling
upon the Secretary of War to investf-
gate and report to Congress what steps
should be taken to remove the po1lu-
ton from the waters of the tidal basin
was passed. 1t is expected that the re-
port of the Secretary will be forth
coming at the next session
The debate in the Senate on the Dis
trict appropriation bill developed
strong sentiment in that body in favor
OF prohibition law for the District
Y point of order on the ground that
general LEGISLATION cannot he attached
TO an appropriation bill prevented a
vote on prohibition which proba bly
would have been successful Out of this
debate and charges made by Senator
Jones of Washington to the effect that
The excise board of the District had
violated the excise law in the issue of
liquor licenses grew a senatorial in
Nestisalon of the excise board, which
mas Just been concluded
Among the bills passed by both houses
OF Congress and sent to the President
Tor ms approval was one granting fed
eral incorporation to the Ellen Wilson
Memorial Homes corporation or
sanized to erect and operate in WASH
,nSton model sanitary homes for the
7oor in memory of the late Mrs. Wood
row wilson. wife of the President who
mad taken strong interest in the bet
fefnent or conditions in the National
Capital
The Senate also passed a bill amend
ing the act incorporating the National
-. A X. permitting the society to in
'FeaSe It's property holdings in the Dis
trfct from 100000 to 100000
Bills Stay on Calendars.
Both the Senate and House passed bills
permitting the public school houses in
the District to be used as social civic
centers. The bills differed in detail, and
she Senate bill was pending before the
House District Committee and the House
bill on the Senate calender when the
session adjourned
Both hou es passed a Joint resolution
directing the District Commissioners
TO make the necessary arrangements
and regulations for the encs. .apment of
the G. A. r. in Washington next Sep