Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-15
M ANY GOOD ME- N
Those Who Compose the House Committee
on the District Of Columbia.
A Number of Laws Added to the Stat
utes During the Session.
Just Closed.

The District committee of the House is
annually becoming regarded as more and
more desirable berth for active members
who are anxious to accomplish results, and
for new members who wish to participate
in lawmaking and to learn the legislative
ropes The unusual record of the local
committees of Congress this year. as shown
by the review published in The Star Thurs
day. is an index of what may be done in
the way OF lawmaking by men who are In
earnest, and who appreciate the opportuni-
ty to leave a mark as workers in legislative
history. Such opportunities come to but
few members of the House, for the pres
sure of business Of a national character is
so great and the number of members is
so large that comparatively only few are
given the chance to rise above the level
and to make their presence felt.
The District bills enacted far outnumber
those PASSED by any other committee.
though of course many of the local meas
ures are Of trifiing importance Every fort
night the District committee has a chance
at the floor, and the calendar may be kept
reasonably clear Of cases. The work. too.
is of nature that calls for the most COM
prehensive efforts. Every subject known to
a legislative body comes under considera-
ton at one time or another during the SeS-
sion. Lawyers and laymen have equal
chances to distinguish themselves, and the
which to work.
Many Good Workers.
These facts tend to draw to the District
committee some Of the most desirable men
in the House, men who do not regard COM
mittee assignments as mere formalities de-
signed to fill space left by the rules, but
who look upon such duties as matters to
be attended to zealously and we'll. The
tendency is continually developing, and an
nually the pressure upon the Speaker for
appointments on the District committee be-
comes greater, and he has a larger list Of
available men from which to make his
selections.
Chairman Babcock has had efficient aid
this year in the transaction of the District
business, and has had good fortune, too. in
securing the District day on schedule time
almost without interruption. There has
been such a perfect understanding between
him and the Speaker that every other Mon
day has been kept intact for local leeisIa-
ton, with little or no friction In former
years 1t has not infrequently happened that
the District day was obtained only after
struggles and debates that consumed much
OF the time and seriously handicapped the
efforts of the chairman and his associates.
The results of these conditions speak for
Themselves. Many good laws have been
added to the local statutes. and the calen-
dars have been we'll stocked with meas
ures with which to begin the next session
In considering the number Of laws enacted
this year, 1t should be recalled that al
though known long session, tina.
which just Gle sed was far from being of
the average lergth for an even numbered
year. The time of adjournment was ex-
ceptionally early, and had the session been
prolonged until the usual time for the dis
solution of Congress for the recess doubt
less dozen more laws Of beneficent
character would have been added to the
list
Mr.. Babcock Did Well.
Mr.. Babct ok is thought by his colleagues
to have done exceptionally we'll in view of
the fact that the Congress just half over is
only the secord in which he has served
But he has made the most Of his opportu-
mites, and his n engagement has been prac-
teal, buslness-like and effective The clerk
to the District committee, Mr.. George B.
Clementscn of Wisconsin, has made him
self very Useful to the committee and has
shown a special aptitude for such work.
overcoming TIE obstacles of inexperience
In q remarkably short time. The District
people who have had occasion to visit the
committee room on business have always
found him obliging and ready to aid them.
The committee lest an experienced men,
Der when Judge Cobb of Alabama was I'M
seated. The Speaker has appointed in his
place Gen. Meyer of Louisiana, member
Of several sessions standing who has
served on the naval committee, where he
has become thoroughly acquainted with
such work. Mr.. Curtis Of Iowa has proved
an able and, active assistant to Mr.. Bah
cock, and las done a great amount of
work. During the latter part of the ses-
sion he served almost continuously on con-
ferenoes, together with Mr.. Cobb of Mis-
souri,. Mr. Cdelf of New York and Mr. Rich
ardscn of Tennessee. The last named
member of the committee has been with
that body for several sessions, and Is now
thoroughly familiar with local conditions.
Mr.. Wellington found time in the midst
of his exciting political experiences of the
winter to take part in several debates on
District affairs in the House. and it was