The Washington herald., 1920-01-11
BIG DAY AHEAD
IN CONGRESS
Mapes Bill Abolishing So
so Plan Up in the
House. Z
ZONnNG ACT In SENATE
Measure for Taking Over
Great Falls Power in
Upper Chamber.

Upper chamber.
Tomorrow will be an intensely busy
day at the Capitol. both from the
standpoint ot/the District and from
that OF the nation.
Many vital matters of legislation
affecting the District will be con-
sidered on the floors OF both Houses
and in the various committees, par
ticularly on the Senate side.
Interest of the District will be d.
vided between the House, where the
Mspes bill abolishing the half-and-
half will be brought up. and the
Senate District Committee. where
hearings will be held on the nom
nations of DR.. John Van Schaick
for District Commissioner and Capt.
James F. Oyster. Leftwich Sinclair
and Guy Mason for members OF the
Rent Commission.
Other matters OF interest to the
District upon which some action Is
expected to be taken tomorrow in
clude the bill creating a zoning COM
mission abolishment OF the Hous-
ing Corporation. amid legislation FOR
"dNCA pO"SA pAcJSNN 80
Mapes Bill Paramount.
On the floor of the House the
Mapes bill abolishing the half-and-
half plan will have the right OF way
and Is expected to develop into the
biggest fight that has ever been
staged in the lower branch JTer this
system OF financing the District.
Mr.. Mapes' forces will be depleted
~ Nf n tive
Zen : tS7-o-. of Kentucky. who Is
..grsaet h.s home by illness and
rH 70 ...a to be present when
the t.- r'-le- up.
g. .r .rl,gE of the District Com
= aa;irg Democratic control and
at -snAIRg member of the commit
tee, ar. johnson has always taken
an active part in the hight to sever
the hslf-and-half system of fiscal
relations between the District and the
Federal government.
In the Sepate. during the morning
hour. Senator Calder has promised to
call up his bill creating a "zoninG
commission to regulate the height
and character of buildings in the Dis
trict.
At . o'clock the Senate will take up
the water power bill. An amendment
to this bill offered by Senator Norris,
Of Nebraska. would appropriate s25,'
10000 for the construction and devel-
Opment of a water-power project at
Great Falls with a view to supplying
heat, light and power for the citizens
of Washington. The amendment di-
rects the proposed water-pOwer com
mission. created by the bill. to acquire
a suitable site to cary out the project.
and to construct the power plant
within one year after approval of the
act.
Nominations Pending Action.
In committees the most important
meeting. from the standpoint of the
District. will be a hearing before the
Senate Committee on the istrict of
Columbia. where friends and op-
ponents Of the Presidents nomina-
tiOns for District Commissioner and
the rent commission will appear in
fur force to recite the merits and de-
merits of the respective nominees.
While no one up to a late hour
yesterday. had presented a request
to Senator Sherman. chairman of
the District Committee. to appear
at the hearing. this is attributed to
the Senator's announcement that
appointments would be heard.
The sharp divergence of opinion
among Washington citizens as to
the merits and fitness of the Rev.
pr. John Van Schaick for Commits
SiOner Of the District. was indicated
in the special meeting of the Fed
Grafton of Citizens Associations
Friday night. when. after three
hours of wrangling, the association
adjourned without taking definite
action. although it had voted in
committee OF the whole. 90 to Is.
endorsing the Presidents appoint
nent.
Plan to Oppose VAN Schnick.
At this meeting w. r. westIake,
chairman of the association. an
nounced his intention of appearing
before the Senate committee in op-
position to DIR. Van Schaick's ap-
pOintment in his personal capacity.
Others. both friends and Oppon
ents Of DR.. Van Schaick. after the
meeting expressed their intention
"f being on hand tomorrow when
the hearing begins.
While comparatively little ad-
verse sentiment has been expressed
on the Presidents selection of
members for the rent commission
Capt. James +. oyster, Leftwich
Sinclair and Guy Mason-there H.
no doubt that those appearing on
the Van Schaick appointment will
take advantage of the opportunity
to express their opinion on the
proposed personnel of the rent COM
mission.
In the Senate Committee on Pub
lie Buildings and Grounds a hear
ing is scheduled for 1880 on a
bill To abolish the Housing Cor
poratiCn. This bill has already
passed the HOUSE and a subcommit-
tee of the Senate committee has
filed report showing alleged reck-
less expenditure of public moneys
by the Housing Corporation and
recommending its adjustment.
Soviet Ambassador to Appear.
\ subcommittee of the Foreign
Relations Committee of the Senate
will hold hearing at II o'clock on
the activity Of l.. e. A. X. Martens.
self-styled Soviet Ambassador to the
United States, who was located in
Washington after a long search.
Another subcommittee of the For
eign Relations Committee will meet
at p. m in room Is Senate Office
Building to hold a hearing on the
Mexican situation.
The Senate Commerce Committee
will hold a hearing on wooden ships
at 1890. but has postponed until the
following Monday hearings to deter
mine the general legislative policy for
the American Merchant Marine. The
DoSfnonapoapf uaS dita 70 tbo oh.o..o =