The Washington times., 1921-04-12
CONGRESS TO
PLAY D. c. FAIR
Committees Taking keenest In
terest in Welfare of Ma.
tionaI Capital.

That the Sixty-seventh Congress
will fulfill many District hopes is
indicated by its unusual interest
in local matters, despite the press
ing business Of an extra session.
Fair play will characterize the
attitude Of both the Senate and
House District Committees, and a
willingness on the part of Con-
gress to lend a sympathetic ear
to the voteless people Of the Dis
trict is manifest in the expressions
OF many Congressional leaders.
MERGER PLANS REVIVED.
With such chairmen as Senator Ball
Of Delaware and Congressman Focht
Of Pennsylvania at the head of the
District Committees, hope has been
aroused that many bills of prime local
Importance will be revived from their
long slumber in committee pigeon.
holes.
1t is quite evident that both COM
mittees are intent on pushing the
proposed street railway merger. The
question will not be allowed to hang
hre. The ultimatum which the COM
mittees have delivered to the street
car companies gives them the choice
OF merging either by voluntary action
or by Congressional compulsion. Be-
hind them in this stand the Congress
leaders have the support Of the Dis
trict Commissioners
Early indications point to generous
treatment for the public schools and
Fairgrounds. Congressman Focht is
firm belieer in the public school
system. He believes the Washington
system should be made the best in
the country. On the other nand, Con-
gressman Davis of Minnesota, who
handles the District budget in the
Appropriations Committee, is strong
for extension of the school play
grounds. ut seems to me- said Mr..
Davis, that 1t is more necessary to
keep school recreation grounds open
In vacation time than at any other
time. Then the children are care
free, and ii Is Of utmost Importance
to supply for them safe places for
recreation. The authorities will find
Congress sympathetic IL they make
their appeal within the bounds of
truth and reason.
NEED EIGHT NEW FAIRGROUNDS.
II presume Congress will provide
for six or eight new Fairgrounds, and
perhaps ten or twelve" said Mr.. Davis
hopefully.
Mr.. Davis is not alone in encourag-
ing unrestricted use of the play
grounds as the proposal finds strong
sentiment in both committees. An
receive the attention Of Congress
during the present extra session is
the Tidal Baisn. where thousands of
bathers dip daily in water that is
regarded suspiciously by the local
health officers.
Congressman Focht made inquiries
recently about the bathing beach con-
ditions, and indicated that something
would be done IL II is found that this
form Of summer exercise and iecrea-
tion is proving harmful to the health
OF bathers. 1t is possible that the
Municipal bathing pools near the Pan
American building in Potomac Park
also will come in for investigation as
members Of Congress are anxious to
know the standard of the water used
in them.
One measure designed to protect the
health of Washington residents was
introduced in the House yesterday by
Congressman French of Idaho. 1t
would forbid. under heavy penalties,
the sale of unwrapped foodstuffs, such
as cakes. bread, pastries and other
edibles. Fines ranging from $25 to
800 and imprisonment would be i'm
posed for violations.
Congressman Andrews of Nebraska
introduced a bill yesterday to add
another justice to the District Su-
preme Court bench and two on the
District Court of Appeals. The rea-
son for its introduction Is the great
increase in the number of cases.