Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-01

single exception of the bill to increase
the salaries of the District Commits
sioners.
Speed Is Surprising.
The quick passage of the bill allow
ing the Public Utilities Commission
to assess costs Of valutions against
the public service corporations, which
had been bitterly opposed, was a sur
prise even to Mr.. Zihlman. 1t was
argued that it will give the nef Pub
lie Utilities Commission a means of
combating the valuations set up by
the corporations in demanding author
ity to increase their charges. 1t is
primarily designed. Maj. w. f. r.
Covell has explained to the House COM
mittee. to protect the consumers in
the new valuation for which the
Washington Gas Light Co. has petit
toned. The valuation already made
by the company, If used by the Pub
lie Utilities Commission. would mean
an increase of 10 per cent in the cost
of fuel.
The expense is to be added as a
special franchise tax. in addition to
all other taxes. The valuation charge.
plus per cent interest, is to be
charged to operating expenses and
amortized under regulation of the
Public Utilities Commission, being al
lowed for in the rates to be charged
by the company.
The bill provides that when inves-
legations are begun the commission
may call upon the company investi
gated to deposit an amount necessary
to cover the cost. 1t Is stipulated
however the amount to be expended
by the commission shall not exceed
one-half of | per cent Of the existing
valuation of the company investi-
gated.
1t is estimated that a. proposed
valuation of the gas companies alone
will cost $4,000, and, under the bill,
this must be made up by increased
rates to gas consumers.
May Save Thousands.
The recorder of deeds bill, intro
duced as a result of the Gibson sub
committees investigation, Is expected
to result In an annual saving of many
thousa nds Of dollars to the District, to
permit a reduction of the number of
employees in the office and at the same
time to bring the work up to date.
The condemnation bill passed by
the House would prevent cutting of
trees in proposed park areas. grading
or filling, or construction of any sort
on any land during the course of con-
1emnation proceedings.
Under the bill, the District would
be required to make a deposit when
proceedings were begun to cover any
damage to the owner from loss of the
use of his land, in case the proceedings
failed or were withdrawn. When the
proceedings were completed and the
land formally taken over by the Gov
eminent, the amount Of deposit would
be applied as part of the purchase
price.
The passage by the House of the
bill prohibiting the sale of black bass
in the District of Columbia brings to
a close a fight that has been waged
by local anglers for some years past.
The bill was introduced by Senator
Halves Of Missouri and passed by that
body in January. In the House Rep
resentative Hull sponsored the meas
ure and together with Mr.. Zihlman,
chairman of the District committee,
and Representative Manlove, brought
1t to it's successful conclusion.
Ends Long Fight.
The BILL whcih brings to an end for
all time the many evils that have
surrounded the members of the bass
family, is as follows:
II lS CIidCtCu NY Tic CCHdtC
House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress
that the word person when used
in this act. shall include any COM
pany. partnership, corporation, or as
ISOLATION.
ut shall be unlawful for any per.
son to offer for sale or to sell within
the District Of Columbia either large
mouth or small-mouth black bass.
Amy person violating the pro-
visions of this act shall, upon con.
viction thereon, be punished by fine
of not exceeding 500, or by imprison-
ment for term of not more than
three months, or by both such fine
and Imprisonment, in the discretion
of the court.
This act shall become effective i'm
mediately upon it's passage and APP
prevail"
The bill now goes to the President
for his signature. along with the
prayer of thousands of local anglers
that he will lose little time in affixing
his signature to this much needed
legislation. 1t is purely a conserva-
ton measure, the benefits of which
will soon be felt by those fishing in
local waters, the Potomac River and
its tributaries.