The Washington times., 1924-01-30
Depriving the District OF Its
Day in the House
By BILL PRICE.

House leaders followed fl customary tactics Monday in
deprving the District of its full day in that body This time
the to get time to rush through resolution
frauds
has not engaged in any extremely impor
tant business SO far this session. The Teapot
could and should have been provided long before this But
set aside for consideration Of District matters Without the
slightest about the District its day shortened
Il was evident in the time the House was considering the
gasoline BILL designed to bring about automobile rec
proci with Maryland that the measure will not have smooth
sailing in the House but the District Committee had other
important local legislation to present and would have done
so had not the time been taken from them.
For instance the District Committee has unanimous
y agreed bill for increasing the salaries of policemen
and remen Of the District There is division of sentiment
in the committee that subject The bill would probably
have through the House in comparatively short order
but must await another day. when it will be just easy
seriousness Of delays in District legislation is that the
House and Senate procrasnate everything until toward
upon national legislation and District legislation that
hanging in the balance dropped the legislative cliff
% o last year with T. THE the teacher do pay bill bill and
District Day" is not honored and the District treated
fairly ,, :, ., -, - .,.
members Of Congress well to District people, Unless
fair pay and decent treatment is given local policemen and
remen at the beginning of the next fiscal year it will not
be possible to maintain the of the two departments
In that will be efficient. This BILL for instance
provides for additional policemen badly needed for this city
but unless the pay made attractive there be no recruit
Ing Of the force and the present number will dwnde
through designations.
Policemen and femen the protectors of the Ctzenry
and property Of all residents of Washington This includes
Senators and Congressman who dwell with u.s. often for the
most part Of each year, diplomats Cabinet officers high
public officials who be here for long short periods
The millions Of Federal property in the District
guarded by fire department which operates with great e
cenCy in spite of handcaps due to niggard appropriations
There much other necessary local legislation come be-
fore Congress of directly or indirectly upon
Congressional residents of Washington. Naturally its main
bearing is upon Washngtonians but they entitled to
justice.
There time when District Day. in the House was
scrupulouy Observed when the desires and Of the
District Commissioners and the people of Washington were
given thoughtful consideration
We trust that Mondays action will not be duplicated
Congressman LONGWORTH, the House leader too fair
too good well wsher Of the District to be influenced
into sandbaggng District interests We feel confident that
he will insist upon the District getting all the time it is
entitled to- Of course he is party leader first of and
will give the right of way his parys programs but there
will still be sufficient time for proper attention District
subjects.