The Washington times., 1913-05-12
ben. JOHNSON PICKED
TO HEAD COMMITTEE
Kentucky Congressman and All
Old Members of District
Body May Hold Places.

That CONGRESSMAN Ben johnson OF
Kentucky will again head the House
District Committee and that practically
all of the members on the old committee
who are in the present Congress Will be
renamed for the committee OF the
Sixty-third Congress is authoritively re-
ported today as the Ways and Means
Committee begins to make Up the va
rious standing committees Of the House.
Despite the fact that there are now
more than fifty bills referred to the
District Committee. 1t is improbable
that any District legislation will be
undertaken at this session. IL any leg
islation other than the tariff and cur
rency reform is considered, II Will be
the Burnett bill to restrict tmmigra-
tion The House leaders do not propose
lation. although Mr.. Underwood has no
objection to committee work.
May. Hold Hearings.
II the House District Committee. when
organised, wishes to proceed With hear
ings and the consideration OF the i'm
portant bills referred to 1t. the way Ia
open and bills reported may tie put on
the calendar for action ut the regular
session. No District bill has chance
at this session, unless II IS Of extreme
importance, and views are different on
Capitol nm as to the importance OF
District matters.
Both Speaker Clark and Congressnan
Underwood are said to favor the reap
-pointment of Nj. JOHNSON Us chairman
of the District COMMITTEES. Some time
ago. Mr.. johnson said he might ask
to be relieved of the Craftsmanship at
the beginning of the new Consress. but
he stipulated in conversation with his
friends that he would not retire ''uI,dsr
fire.
As Mr.. johnson has been more or less
under FIRE since he became the chairman
Of the committee, he has abandoned
whatever idea he may have had Of vol
untary retirement from the committee
and the leaders are willing that he
should again head the District board
in the House.
Important Bills Pending.
Bills of considerable Importance to the
District, most Of them reintroducet
measures which failed Of action at the
quorumless meetings last year. are nov
before the committee. the full list com
prising proposed legislation relating tt
almost every branch of the Distric
government and municipal welfare.
There are several measures to reduc'
the price of gas and to have an investi
CATION Of the gas companies. Amont
other pending bills are the following
To establish a wage commission in th'
District; the eight-hour day bill for fe
male employees Of the District; bill t.
esta blish an inheritance tax: a bill t
regulate the sale Of stocks and bonds
a blu to prohfbit false advertising: tn
Over Bill Tor a territorial form Of gov
ernment in Washington: the police AM
fremen's relief fund measure; bill Z
| create a parental court and 4
strengthen the compulsory education
laws and several measures relating Z
the inspection Of gas and electric ligh
meters and the abolishment Of the pres
ent system Of garbage disposal by con
| tract.
Six Vacancies To Fill.
There are six vacancies on the Dis
trict Committee. even IL the member
who served in the last Congress are re
| appointed.
| Members Of the old District COMMITTEE
| who are not in the Sixty-third Congress
| include Congressman Stack OF Illinois
| Redfield of New York. and Hart of New
| Jersey. Democrats, and Congressrnel
Sulloway Of New Hampshire. De Fores
Of New York. Republicans. and BerSe
| of Wisconsin. Socialist. The Cornnffse
| on Committees has not yet determines
who shall Ill these places, and possibl,
others which may be made vacant II
the readjustment of the personnel OF tn
District Committee.
| Indications now are, however, tha
most of the old members will stay o.
the committee, ind that Ben Johnso
| will be chairman.