Evening star., 1925-02-24
Completing a Good Record.

Getting three bills yesterday in the
course of the House session devoted TO
District business, the Capital commu-
nifty feels that it is in a fair way to
close the record of the Sixty-eighth
Congress with a goodly showing OF
local legislation. In view OF the con-
gestion on the general calendar, and
the conditions which prevail, as al
ways, at the close Of the short ses-
sion, the grist Of measures pertaining
to District welfare brought through
this year is exceptionally large. At
Longworth gave assurances that the
District would have its full quota of
time for the consideration of local mat
ters. The District committees of the
two houses have been diligent in
their work on local measures, and on
the more important ones have col
laborated in joint conferences to the
end of agreement upon their terms,
The appropriations committees have
likewise given sympathetic aid to Sc
cure for the District maximum of
constructive legislation.
Yesterdays House session yielded
three bills Of Importance, the traffic
bill, that for the adoption Of a five
year school building program and one
for the definition OF the jurisdiction of
the Juvenile Court, a measure made
necessary by a court ruling which
limited the scope Of that courts
powers. Particular interest centers in
the traffic and school building bills.
In passing the traffic bill the House
made several amendments which must
now be considered In conference. The
number Of additional policemen was
increased from 100, as provided for in
the Senate draft, to 200; the speed
limit was cut from 80 to % miles an
hour; mandatory jail sentences for
"hit-and-run" offenders and for drivers
who operate their cars while drunk,
stricken from the bill in the Senate,
were restored; the proposal to impound
improperly parked motor cars was
eliminated; the provision for an an
nual license charge upon drivers
was cut out; certain highways were
designated for arterial traffic, and
some changes were made in the defini.
ton Of the status Of the proposed d.
rector Of traffic. None Of these is like.
!y to cause a blockade Of the legisla-
ton. The conference should find q
way Of settlement that will lead to
enactment. The new law is urgently
required in the interest Of public
safety.
The f1ve-year building bill was
passed without amendment, an effort
to change it in a slight particular hav-
ing been abandoned when it was point
ed out that any alteration might en-
danger the measure for the session.
In a spirit Of accomplishment the
House went ahead on this bill, and it
is now ready for final Executive ap-
proval. This marks the end of a long
effort for the proper equipment of the
District with schoolhouses.
With the f1ve-year building program
established as the basis of action, ap-
preparations may follow with strict re-
gard for cumulative series of con-
structions, to catch up on arrears and
to give the community for the first
time in its history a proper outfit. This
measure, now finally passed by both
houses, stands for an endeavor cover
ing a long period. 1t has been sought
by school authorities and by the Com
missioners and by the people Of the
District during several sessions of
Congress. 1t is obviously the only way
to catch up. 1t must now be followed
with appropriations on an equitable
basis, to make the Capital a model in
point Of physical equipment for public
education.