Evening star., 1923-03-04
SCANT d. C.. LEGISLATION
ON RECORD OF SESSION
Riders on Bills Chief Source of Such
Provisions as affect Washington--
Change IL, Fiscal Relations.

The Sixty-seventh Congress has
little to it's credit in the way OF Dis
trict legislation. Tho most important
affecting the National
Capital were put through as riders
on appropriation bills rather than as
distinct legislative measures.
Among the most important actions
affecting the District which were put
through In appropriation bills was
the change in the time-honored prin-
ciple OF haif-and half sharing OF the
cost of the National Capital between
the federal Treasury and the District
taxpayers. This change in the fiscal
relation from a $3.50 to a 6o-+o per-
centage was made in the District
appropriation bill. which also increas-
ed real estate assessments from two
thirds to full valuation. required a
mi-annual payment Of taxes and
put the District on a as-you-go
basis by 1927.
Another important legislative rider
on the appropriation bill authorized
-
duit from Great Falls at an ultimate
cost of approximately $4,000. 900. and
the appropriations to carry along this
work have been made for the last two
years.
Provisions for a home for feeble
minded and transfer OF the board or
children's guardians to the direct sup
ervision Of the District Commissioners
were also carried in the appropriation
bill.
Various Important Measures.
Among other important measures which
the Sixty seventh Congress passed after
they were considered by the House Dis
trict committee are: The marine insur-
ance Law and the law requiring removal
OF snow and ice. These constitute prac-
tlcaliy all Of the important District leg
islation that Congress passed.
The favorable report was made in the
Senate on District suffrage bills, both
for a constitutional amendment grant
ing voting representation in both
branches Of Congress and the so-called
District delegate bill, but no action was
taken.
The Senate passed the teachers SAL
ary and compulsory education bill. but
these were not acted upon in the House.
The Senate also passed the etreet-car
merger bill. granting the Washington
Railway and Electric Company and the
IOtOiioC EleCtTlC fOWST company per
mission to merge, which they are now
prohibited from doing by act OF Con-
gresa This same measure seeks to re-
duce street car fares in the District by
imposing an excess profits tax OF 90
per cent on income above per cent
and Is per cent on income above Z
per cent. This measure was favorably
reported by the House District commit
tee q week ago, but dies on the District
calendar in the House.
The Senate also passed a bill amend
ing the tax laws by STRENGTHENING out
tax scheme put through in the ap-
preparation bill, but no action on this
was taken by the House.
The Underhill workmen's comper-
sation act. consideration Of which de-
layed other District legislation in
committee. The Underhill bill was
passed by the House after bitter
duel between II AID the Fitzgerald
bill. The Unnerhill bill: calls for
compulsory industrial insurance 20
private insurance companies. The
Fitzgerald bill would have had this
business carried by government
agency.
the only House measure which was
not placed on the Senate calendar by
the senate District committee, which
offers a clean slate on District legis-
lation.
Measures Become Laws.
Other District measures which be.
came laws include the following
Board of aoceuntancy; alley-dwelline
law extended; bad check law; estab-
fishing standard weights of bread
widening LIST street northeast; clos
Ing a portion of Grant road running
grand Jury for the District Of CO.
iumbia; extension and widening OF
eth street from Longfellow street tc
Underwood street and Underwo ooc
street from 9th street to Georgia ave-
nue.: closing OF Piney Branch road De.
tween 18th street and Taylor anc
18th and Allison streets; equalizins
pensions Of veteran police and nre.
men: extension OF the Ball rent ac'
to May, 1924; resolutions permitting
the use Of parks for camp grounds
during the Shrine convention Mae ane
nrotection and convenience stations
during Shrine convention. The Sen
ate nassed a resolution to investigate
taxfcab rates and report to the nex'
Congress; continuing $24o bonus toi
federal empieyes .ts Tor ssrss, ano.nes n.twser wee
eIst and 22d streets so that the Ma.
tionI Home for Science could be
Among the District measures OF
major Importance which Jailed in the
Ext.nsion of 14th street through
the walter Reed Hospital grounds
which would have opened up q new
avenue into the National Capital. and
have mace possible relief OF housing
congestion through residential de-
velonment Of a large suburban area
The pure milk bill. on which ex-
tensiye hearings were held. which
vas fathered by the District health
once, and which required that al
milk for domestic consumption com
inr into the District must be IRON
tuberculfn- tested herds.
Tho measure looking toward the
prevention Of social diseases and The
suppression Of vice.
XII mothers compensation meas
ures failed
.xtan.,ys hearings were held, includ
inr yoluminous testimony regarding
the Juvenile Court and the board OF
children's guardians, never came Out
Half a dozen bills designed to rom
adv the street car situation were con.
aidered in tho District committee, anc
the only measure considered In the
House. the Wood bill, was sent back
TO tho committee.
TraMc Court Bill Fails.
rhe Zihlman bill to establish a traf-
a. court and carrying heavy penal
tiea for violation of trahic regulation
which provided for e special assist.