The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-11-16
Senator La Toilette on the
Senate D. c. Committee
Ry BILL PRICE

Whatever the decision of leaders the party
status Of Senator ROBERT M LA TOILETTE Jr, he will be
satisfactory to District citizens member of the Senate Dis
tric Committee to which may be assigned according to
news reports.
Wisconn's young Senator is almost much of District
citizen as of the Badger State graduated from Western
High School and spent of his life here He familiar
with local problems and good American doubt wants
to see National Capital given fair treatment Congress
AS of the Senate District Committee Mr. La Fol-
ettes political views and would be relatively
important Washington without suffrage though entitled to
It. Local legislation in Congress without party color or
significance Mr. La Toilette usefulness the District would
be in his knowledge Of municipal needs and IN all PROB
ability his sympathy with any and all efforts to Aerlcan1ze
District people by giving them the right to vote the same
all other Americans
upon to stand for interests of the masses Of District
people and against special interests
known ss the act for the District That act pro-
vded there be merger consolidation OF public
utilities here without the approval Of Congress- The object
been worked often in local utilities prior to that time
Little railway lines for example would be consolidated
large blocks of stock put the market and the promoters
would "clean up.
An illustration the slipshod methods Of Congress in
handling District affairs found in this antimerger law
which Is part of the act creating the Public Utilities Com
missions In the public utilities the Public Utilities Com
mission clothed with the power TO approve mergers or con-
soIdations.
The La toilette clause was added at the end of
the Utilities Commission and explicitly prohibits mergers
without Congressional approval knoty conflict for the
deal with the question Is ever put before them
would prevail
The o District Committees at the coming session Of Con-
eress win be the best the District ever had Senator CAPPER
genuinely good friend Of Washington chairman Of the
Senate Committee while Congressman ZIHLMAN likewise
warm and true friend viii head the House Committee
chief regret Of District people that these two
do wide power appropriation bills dealing with
the District They wn however, play part in appropriations
desire to aid the District in all matters
affecting it.
One Of the main troubles with District committees Of Con-
ress in past that they have not been composed Of
legislators familiar with city problems In the House District
committees have been too many rural members unacquanted
with affairs Of large cities.
National Capital should be dealt with in Congress BY
members Of experience in city matters The in
creasng number of city managers in this country is evidence
that the best minds recognize that big cities have questions
solved that require minds trained in these things
Washington people do what the party connections
District committee members may be- but they do want the
benefit of minds familiar with city needs and not biased by
rural nreiudices