The Washington times., 1925-03-04

Next Session Expected to Be
Productive of Even
More Benefit

pected, will be even more produc-
tive of benefit to the District
than the last, despite the unpre..
cedented record Of legislation set
by the Sixty-eighth Congress,
which adjourned today.
Many vitality important pieces
of District legislation, which
could not be brought up during
the present Congress, undoubtedly
will be brought up next year.
Zihlman Heads Committee.
The District Committee next year
will be headed by Congressman
Zihlman OF Maryland, who is in q
large measure responsible for the
success OF the local legislation
passed during the session which
has just ended.
Profiting by the experience This
year, when Congressional action ON
several Of the most important oils
was prevented by the fact that
they were not reported out from
committee until late in the session.
Congressman Zihlman is expected
to bend every effort toward secur-
ing early committee reports, Sc
that the House may have an ade'
quate District calendar on which 10
work throughout the session.
Among the important items OF
District legislation which failed this
year are several which did not
come under the jurisdiction OF the
District Committee. Chief among
them are the $3.50, 100000 public
building bill, which carried $50,OO0,'
900 for the District, and the civil
service retirement bill.
Lump Sum Established.
Firm establishment of the lump
sum plan Of appropriation by the
Federal Government toward Dis
trict expenses Is expected to result
in steadily increasing District alp
preparation bills. 1t is regarded .Is
not unlikely that the next District
appropriation bill will exceed the
$35, 90, 900 mark. This years bill
exceeds $32,0O,0O0, which is IL
creased to nearly $50, 100000 by
supplemental and deficiency appro-
priations.
An appropriation of $4,000. 900 to
carry on work on the Arlington
Memorial Bridge, on which work
will be started this summer, will
be submitted and propably will be
granted during the next session.
Members Of the District Commit.
tee will watch carefully the rent
situation in Washington this sum-
mer and next fall and any tend
ency on the part Of landlords 20
take advantage of failure Of the
rent law by profiteering on defense
less tenants is certain to result
in introduction Of drastic and per-
manent rent legislation soon after
the convening of Congress.
1t is the feeling of members OF
Congress that local real estate men
should be given an opportunity to
substantiate their claims that the
law of supply and demand will have
sufficient force in Washington to
prevent profiteering.
Legislation That Failed.
Among the important pieces of
District legislation which failed dur
ing the past session, largely through
lack of time for their consideration,
but which will undoubtedly be rein
troduced and pressed to a vote next
session are the following:
Legislation for thorough cleanup
of Washington alleys. Thorough in
vestigation of this subject was made
during the past Congress by a spe-
cial subcommittee headed by Con-
gressman Henry r. Rathbone. OF
Illinois, which favored conversion
OF the alleys into public parking
places or playground space, where
| they can be spared for this purpose.
Creation Of Federal city plan
ming commission, n project which
has received the hearty Endorsement
Of civic organizations.
Twice on Calendar.
Construction of greaI hydro
electric plant at Great Falls. This
bill was passed by the Senate dur
ing this session, was reported by
| the House District Committee, fol
| lowing extensive hearin"s, and was
twice placed on the District Day
| calendar in the House but was not
| reached.
Enactment of a comprehensive
| insurance code for the District
Members OF Congress are practi
cally unanimous in their desire tc
| enact legislation of this sort, the
only reason for delay lying in the
| provisions of the law.
Workmen's compensation legts
| lation for the District also has
universal support in Congress
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