The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-21
! HOLD Up
DISTRICT
BILLS
important Measures Neglected
While House Leaders Are
at Odds.
By r. HAROLD MAY.

Congressman William A. Roden-
berg's statement before the House
Rules Committee recently, that the
House made q football Of District
day." apparently works both ways.
Congress makes a football Of
the District every day.
FOcht Chains Agreement"
It having been admitted by Chair
man Phil" Campbell. of the House
Rules Committee, and Republican
Floor Leader Mondell that time al.
lotted to the District for considerar
ton Of its important legislation has
been wasted, it would be expected
that they would take some action
to see that fair play was shown
citizens Of Washington.
Chairman Ben K. Focht of the
House District Committee also
stands by his statement that there
was an implied ''gentlemen's agree
ment" the District would be given
two more days at this session in
lieu Of those he kindly gave away
to House leaders SO that legislation
OF national importance might be
considered.
ID. C. Bills Neglected.
While these three Congressman
who hold the whip over the District
argue among themselves local af-
fairs are neglected and important
bills which have been reported by
the House District Committee for
months must Idle" when Congress
adjourns March 8.
Citizens Of the District are no
longer willing to accept the situa-
ton in q passive attitude. For
years they have played the same
waiting game that marks the base
ball enthusiast. Next year" has
always been the slogan. But next
year has never brought anything
but disappointment.
They are today determined that
Congress must take District matters
seriously. This is evidenced by the
campaign conducted by prominent
Washington women to push the
teachers salary bill>through at this
session.
Some Measures UnOppOsed.
Many other important measures
should receive the consideration Of
the House before adjournment.
Many Of them could be passed
without opposition lin a very short
time. If Congress can consider
hundreds Of minor bills Of a
private nature there certainly
should be some way to bring up
the important measures which af-
feet a community Of $50, 900 people.
Having reported q special rule
for the consideration of the teach.
ers' salary bill, Chairman Camp
bell apparently feels that his &C.
tivities with respect to the District
should cease. Mondell yesterday
again passed the buck" to Speaker
Frederick H. Gillett. When asked
il the District had any chance of
obtaining another day this session
he evaded the questions by detail
ing a long list of important meas
ures which he said must receive
the consideration of the House be-
fore adjournment.
The last six days of the session
come under a suspension of the
rules. 1t is pointed out that
Speaker Gillett may recognize any
member during this period. With
him rests the future Of at least one
important District bill.
To Revise Insurance Code.
It ia certain that an attempt will
be made to get action on the
measure to revise the insurance
code of the District during this
time.
This bill is one Of the most i'm
portant now pending. 1t is pointed
out by Superintendent of Insurance
Miller that delay Of a year or
more in the passage Of the bill will
prove most harmful.
Those who have approached
Speaker Gillett on the subject re-
Gently are optimistic over the
chances for having it considered.
Every pressure is brought to bear
on the situation.
If the District were given another
full day at this session, 1t is certain
that the three important schools
bills could be passed in a short
time. The compulsory attendance
bill, school census bill and text
book measure all could be dis
posed Of
Thousands Face Eviction.
The bill extending the time for
closing alleys in the District could
also be passed without delay. If no
action IL taken on the measure.