The Washington times., 1923-01-26
FAVORABLE
REPORT IS
BELIEVED
CERTAIN
SprouI Announces He Will In
troduce Amendments to
Aid Bills Chances.

Members of the House District
Committee are lining up in favor
of the Reed District delegate bill
reintroduced in the House by
Congressman Blanton of Texas
early in the week. The outlook
for it's being favorably reported
next week is brighter today than
it has been for several years, pro-
vided certain amendments are
agreed to as outlined in The
Washington Times yesterday.
Sproul FavOrs Measure.
The outstanding feature of to-
days developments was the an
nouncement by. Congressman Sproul
!, of Illinois that he would personally
Introduce the amendments and vote
In favor of the measure If they
were adopted by the committee.
The changes in the bill would
provide for the election OF four
civilian District Commissioners.
would be chairman ex officio OF
1.-THE Board of Commissioners and the
District delegate in the House.
Two of the civilian Commits
sioners. together with the Engineer
Commissioner appointed by the
President. would constitute the Pub
lie Utilities Commission, under an
amendment provision. The dele
gate Commissioner would be ex.
cluded from selection as a mem.
Der of the commission.
Congressman Sproul was primarily
responsible for the defeat of the
delegate bill at a session OF the
District Committee last week. Be-
sides voting against the measure he
also objected to recording the favor.
able vote of Congressman Reed Of
West Virginia, who was i'll, which
would have resulted in a tie.
Saw Clash in Authority.
The reason for this action by
Congressman Sproul. it is under.
stood, was because he did not be-
lieve that a delegate as provided
for in the PoindeXter-Reed bill
would provide. q proper representa-
ton for the people of the District
He foresaw q clash between the au-
thority vested in the District Com
nissioners appointed by the Presi-
dent and the delegate elected by
the people.
With the amendments above out
lined and another which Congress
man Sproul declares must be
sanctioned before he consents to vote
for the measure-the electing of
school officials-the bill is believed
certain to be favorably reported.
Sproul has always stood for the cleo
ton of the school officials. He be-
lieves that this is one of, the most
important changes necessary to the
proper enfranchisement of the peo-
pie of the District.
Congressman Roy Woodruff of
Michigan, who voted for the delegate
bin last week and who made an APP
peal to the committee on behalf of
the measure, stated today that while
he had not examined the proposed
amendments, lie would vote faVora-
bly, IL they were included.
Concerted Campaign Planned.
1T is a fundamental principle with
me-" he declared, "I can see no
reason in the world why the citizens
OF the District should be denied the
right to vote. / am in favor of the
bill. If the committee adopts the
amendments as outlined ! will vote
for them
Civic bodies of Washington, to.
gether with veterans organizations
=. and associations composed of women
of the District and Of the country
are preparing concerted campaign
TO push for immediate favorable &C
ton on the measure. Representa-
tlVes from many of these organiza
tons appeared before the committee
last week TO urge enfranchisement
for the District.
An effort is being made to brinl
tnen INTO harmony on one definite
plan to be presented IN committe a.
members. AS the Reed measure with
amendments, as outlined in tho
Ilmes' seems certain to meet thu
approval OF majority of the com
mittee, 1t Is expected that this viii
be advocated.
Congressman Blanton stated today
That ne was certain that Congress
man Reed will have recovered suffi
GENTLY from his illness, which hal
kept him at home for several weeks
10 De ready 10 personally take charg,
of the measure nert