The Washington herald., 1911-12-01

caucus programme in which the District
played no real part, has its affairs IN bet
ter shape, and, Judging from the past in
terest its members and its chairman have
manifested, and the assurances several
efforts, will keep its end Of the District
legislative business well in hand.
House Committee Uncertain.
A serious question In the minds Of civic
leaders OF the National Capital Is, VIII
the probe by the investigating suocom-
mittee tie up and hamper the work Of
the full committee? VIII the full COM
mIttee feel constrained to await the re-
suit Of the subordinate bodys probe
before taking action on bills which may
be construed to have some bearing on
the questions under consideration? What
Chairman Johnsons attitude will be-and
It was pretty definitely demonstrated
during the extra session that the COM
mittee Is guided largely by his wishes
is altogether problematicaL 1t is generally
admitted. moreover. that an attack on
the organic act, unsuccessful though II
may be- would, II led by johnson, sert-
ously compHcate the situation.
1t is generally conceded that a num-
Der of the most important bills now
awaiting action by the House District
Committee might be held up under the
plea of awaiting action by the investi-
eating committee. Still others might re-
ceive the same treatment pending the
success or failure Of Mr.. Johnson's at
tempt to bring about a change in the
organic act.
List of Important Bills.
A partial list Of the District bills which
were before the House Committee last
session and their calendar numbers fol-
lows:
To regulate the storage OF food sup
plies in the District Of Columbia--H. r.
So
For the creation OF a public service
commission in the Distriet.-H. r. 121o.
Making IL a misdemeanor for any per
son to abandon a wife or minor children
H. r. 1912.
To establish and disburse a school
teachers retirement fund.-H r. l2lS:
Providing for the payment of the Dis
trict debt and for permanent improve
ments in the District.-H- R. Els.
Providing for the regulation and con-
troll of fraternal societies In the District.
H. R. 1897.
Making drunkenness a misdemeanor
and providing for the establishment OF
an inebriate hospital in the District.-H.
r. 5s57.
Providing for universal transfers with
ms, : c'''''
Providing for universal transfers with
out the school children clause-H. X
S61T.
Regulating the practice OF pharmacy
and the sale Of poisons in the District
H. r. S619
Regulating the sale and production OF
milk, cream and ice cream In and for the
District.-H. r. S625.
Providing penalties for the violation
of the child labor laws in the District
| H r. S6T.
! Providing for a more effective system
I OF birth registration.-H. R. S632.
| Providing for a more effective regisua-
ton Of tuberculosis cases in the District.
H. r. $685..
| Police and Firemen's Pensions.
Providing for the creation of a police
and hremen's relief and retirement fund.
N. r. 1851.
Regulating the loaning Of money in the
| District.-H. R. 1858.
Providing directors OF education ana
charIties.-H. r. Ssg.
| Providing for the establishment OF a
municipal ice plant and free public baths
/ in the District.-H. r. $3.50.
Regulating the employment OF females
in the District-H. r. 1o4H.
| At this session Chairman Johnson and
i his committee will be given their first
real opportunity to get into action in
| behalf Of the District Although Dis
| trict legislation was included In the re-
| stricted caucus programme mapped out
| for the extra session, the promise was
not fulfilled. Tariff legislation was given
/ & clear track and no time was found for
| District business.
| The utterance OF Speaker Clark re-
| Gently, in which he intimated strongly
that proposed District legislation liable
/ to bring down upon the House heated
and protracted debates might not be
| favorabIy received leaves the way open
1 for Just such a course as the present
| chairman Of the House District Commit
1 tee advised before his selection as COM
mittee leader last spring.
Mr.. Johnson's CrItIcIEm.
/ Mr.. Johnson, in an interview printed
| in The Washington Herald at that time,
pointed out that the principal reason
for the inability to obtain District legis-
Iation from the Republican House was
| the poor Judgment by the Republican
| District chairman, Samuel W. Smith, in
| selecting District measures for presenta-
| ton to the House. Mr.. johnson believed
| that his predecessor should have first Sc
little prospect for extended debate and
| reserved other measures for considera-
| ton until all such measures had been
cleared from the calendar.
Chairman johnson and members OF his
committee have shown no disposition to
be unfriendly to the District. The rela-
tions between the committee and the
| Commissioners and the various civic or
ganIzations last summer were perfectly
| friendly, despite the inability of Mr..
johnson to obtain for the District the
consideration desired. In preparing for
the coming session civic organizations
have made It plain that they consider
this friendly relationship a thing to BE-
| valued and cherished, and leaders be-
lieve that the conditions will continue as
they are The next few weeks will, It Is
believed. indicate clearly what the course
OF District legislation at this session
will be.