Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-13
RESULT OF HOUSE CANVASS
New Members Sounded Regarding
Teachers Retirement Bill.
IT'S PASSAGE DEEMED Likely
President Clayton of Federation Of
Citizens Associations Tells Of
Work for Local Measures.

A strong effort to persuade Congress
to enact much needed legislation for
the District of Columbia at the coming
extra session is being made.
The Federation of Citizens Associa-
tions is taking a prominent part in the
movement to prevail upon the House
District committee to get down to
business and lay before the House those
measures which are vitally important
to the citizens Of the District. Will
liam NICK. Clayton, president of the
federation. said today that he had
talked with both Champ Clark, the
next Speaker of the House. and
Representative Johnson of Kentucky.
the prospective chairman of the House
District committee, and that although
neither of them had committed himself
to program of legislation for the Dis
trict during the extra session. they
resentative Clark, Mr.. Clayton said.
seemed to consider the matter very
favorably.
Result Of House Canvass.
we are anxious to have the House
act upon those measures to which there
has been little or no opposition, but
which were not considered In the House
last session because Of the congestion of
business said Mr.. Clayton. He said
that he felt sure the teachers retirement
bill would pass the House il it were only
allowed to come up for consideration.
Il have made a careful canvass Of the
House in regard to this measure" said
Mr.. Clayton. ''and firmly believe that it
will be favorably acted upon. Another
measure which should receive the atten-
ton of the House Immediately is that
providing for the pensions of fIremen
and policemen in the District. At pres
ent the pension fund is not large enough
to permit the payment of moae than 40
or 50 per cent of the pensions which are
allowed to members and families OF
members of the police and fire depart
street extension bills which were favor
ably reported to the last House and
many Of them acted upon in the Senate
favorably which ought to be passed by
the House to permit much-needed i'm
provements in the city.
Effect Of Non-Action.
"If there is no action taken upon Dis
trict matters at the extra session. the
District must wait until next December
before 1t can hope for relief-possibly
several months longer tnan tnat. lot II Is
likely that there will be a great amount
of important general legislation laid be-
fore Congress at the next regular session.
More Time at Coming Session.
''At the extra session the House will
have much more time for the considera-
ton of District measures than 1t will
have at the next regular session. A good
opportunity will be given to the House
to pass upon the merits Of the Judson
financial bill, if it can be prevailed upon
to take the measure up.
During the last session of Congress
practically nothing was done in the way
of legislation for the District, although.
as / have said. there were a number Of
bills of importance to the District on
the calendar of the House. Many Of
these bills would have passed without op-
position had they been taken up. We
are particularly anxious to receive some
relief at the extra session.
III the citizens of the District will
unite upon a reasonable program and
take it before the House District commit
tee as soon as 1t is appointed l believe
that We may get favorable action