Evening star., 1922-06-09
F0CHT AUTHORIZED
TO CALL Up JONES
MEASURE MONDAY
House Committee Approves
Action for Investigation
of SIS, 900, 900 Surplus.
ELEVATION OF TRACKS
UP FOR CONSIDERATION
Bill Referred to Subcommittee,
Controversy Arises Over
Bus Line.

The Jones resolution providing for
an investigation of the fiscal AFFAIRS
Of the District by a joint congress
sional committee is to be called up by
Chairman Focht Of the House Dis
trict committee in the House next
Monday. The House District COM
mittee today authorized this. urani-
mously indorsing the proposed invest
igation, the concurrent resolution
having been reported to the House
tive Frank c. Milspaugh OF Missouri
voiced the opinion Of the COMMITTED
that this investigation was OF urgent
importance and would settle long
drawn out controversy.
Sets Aside Decision.
This decision to call up the Jones
resolution in no way sets aside the
previous decision of the committee
making the Fitzgerald bill for COM
pulsory Industrial insurance the ofder
for special business. II CHAIRMAN
Focht flnds the attitude of the House
is such that the resolution for IN
yestigat ton of the fiscal situation can
be passed promptly 1t will be called
up before the Fitzgerald bill. Expect
ed opposition to the workmens com.
pensation bill from Chairman Focht
was dissipated today when MT Focnt
made 1t plain that he is strongly III
favor of such legislation and pio-
neer advocate.
The bill already passed by the
Senate authorizing the construction
of elevated railroad sidings adjacent
to steam railroad tracks In the Dis
trict when brought up for considera-
tion by Representative Wheeler OF
Illinois was referred to subcom-
mittee Of three, consisting of Repre-
sentatives Wheeler. Illinois: Sproui.
Illinois, and Gilbert of Kentucky, for
investigation.
Object Of Controversy.
This bill has been the object of
considerable controversy and organic
ed opposition from Sibley Hospital.
schools. churches and citizens asso-
ciations, which fear that 1t would
open the way for railroad trestles
and coal dumps all along the east
side Of North Capitol street between
New York avenue and Union station.
Another spirited controversy arose
in the committee when Representa-
tive Keller urged that the bus line.
now operating from a terminus at
Rhode Island avenue and street
northwest, be allowed to extend its
service east on Rhode Island avenue
for several blocks as asked in q
petition from residents nled with the
District Commissioners. Representa-
tive Hammer OF North Carolina
strenuousiy objected to any considera-
ton Of this matter. except In execu-
tive session. Representative. Under
hill of Massachusetts said that he
supported the effort for executive
consideration because he didn't want
the question "adjudicated in the
newspapers"
Auto Bill Reported.
Ranrooonfaf % tive Ran TohnSnn of X an
lucky. former chairman of the House
District committee, appeared, urging
that his bill which would prohibit
the use Of District-owned autom obiles
for pleasure and private purposes by
officials and employees should be re-
peated instances where these cars
are being used for other than Dis
trict business. After an amendment
had been accepted. offered by Repre-
sentative Zihlman of Maryland. spe-
ciflcally exennpting the Commission
uTe. the committee ordered a favor
able report on the Johnson bill by a
vote of to 6.
Representative Fitzgerald of Ohio
asked Mr.. Johnson II he did not be-
lieve that the House District COM
visits on official business. inspecting
streets. schoolhouses. etc. Repre-
sentative Johnson said that he had
long believed the House District COM
mittee should have a car. but hesi-
tated to propose it while he was
chairman of the committee. Now,
however. he would give emphatic sur
port to such proposal.
Insurance Bill to Be Reported.
The committe ordered a favorable
report on what is known as the Ma
sonic insurance bill. which was pre-
viously vetoed by President Harding.
Representative Williams OF Illinois,
formerly a member of the House Dis
trict committee, author of the bill,
explained that it had been amended
to conform with objections raised by
Masonic officials on the strength of
which the President had vetoed the
measure. The name of tho organiza-
ton has been changed to the Acacia
Mutual Life Association. he explained,
and while its service Is limited to
MasonR the word Masonic has been
eliminated. SO that 1t will not appear
to carry Endorsement Of the Masonic
order.
The committee also discussed pro-
posed amendments to the pawn
brokers' bill, which. as diminished
other District legislation for several
months and was recently recommitted
to the committee on motion of Repre-
sentative Zhilman.