The Washington times., 1923-02-17
BILLS HELD
Up BY )
ME- n
Women Demand Action on
Teachers Pay Despite ''Im~
piled Agreement"
By HAROLD r. MAY.

The fate of District legislation
at this session of Congress has
rested on an implied ''gentlemen's
agreement" according to a state
ment made by Congressman Ben
e. Focht, chairman of the House
District Committee, at a meeting
OF that body yesterday. That the
Agreement" has been violated is
self evident as more than twenty
important measures are now pend
ing before the House and more are
being reported by the committee
from time to time to be laid away
on the shelf.
Lame Ducks Blamed.
II the impromptu fight between
Focht and Chairman phil Camp
bell Of the House Rules Committee.
as to who should assume the blame
Tor the present situation, develops
nothing else. 1t will serve to bring
to light the important fact that
three lame iucks"- are responsible
for the District having been will
fully neglected during this session
OF Congress.
The lame ducks" are:
HAAp OdANpDCIt, nAnSaS, CBalf.
man OF the House Rules Committee.
Frank w. MOndeII, Wyoming, Re-
publican floor leader.
Benjamin X. FOcht, Pennsylvania,
chairman of the House District
Committee.
Focht claims that he courteously
gave way to Mondell and Camp
bell during the session in order that
legislation of national importance
might be considered.
Expected Two Extra Days.
This Is his basis for the gentle.
mems agreement" He, having
gladly accommodated the Republican
leaders when so requested, claims
that it was implied that the District
would receive at least two extra
days during the session in lieu Of
those so politely given away.
But Mondel1 and Campbell don't
recognize "gentlemen's agreements"
apparently.
Both declare that the fault lies
with the chairman of the District
Committee. They say that he has
had more than sufficient time dur
ing the session to present all Dis.
trict matters. Focht alleges that
they forget the days the District
should have had, but didn't because
OF the implied agreement" They
claim that on more than one occa.
sion when the leaders were ready
and willing to consider District leeis.
lation the chairman of the District
Committee was not present on the
floor. They say that not only was
Focht absent, but that none of the
members of his committee were
present.
faf-
says that he has been absent ONLY
once. Being absent once, it is pointed
out, means the loss of an entire day.
Just where the blame lies will
probably never be Strengthened out,
The people Of the District are being
enlightened on the subject, how
ever, and 1t seems certain that they
will place the blame on the shout.
ders of all three.
While ii is true that Focht has
made an effort during the last few
days TO bring the teachers salary
bill before the House, it Is also
well known that he has side.tracked
many important bills in committee
because he did not personally ap.
prove them. Members of his COM
mittee have openly resented this
attitude, claiming that IL ma
jority of the committee are favor
able to any measure 1t should be
reported and it's fate be left to the
House.
Faces Two Obstacles.
Under the present system District
legislation encounters two battles
First, 1t must pass through the
manhandling of Chairman Focht in
committee. From his many state
Inents made during committee meet
ings it would seem that in order
for any bill to meet with his ap-
proval there must be some similarity
between it and legislation now in
effect in the State OF Pennsylvania.
II the measure receives favorable
consideration in the District com.
mittee IT must then wait for Mon
dell and Campbell to recognize an
implied "gentlemen's agreement. "
So far this session these mon
archs" of the House have failed to
even recognize the other gentlemen
TO the implied compact.
The first move in the right direc-
ton to correct the situation is that
being made by the women of Wash
ington.
The impressive attitude which has