Evening star., 1926-03-10
BILL TO ABOLISH
DEATH PENALTY IS
GIVEN APPROVAL
House District Committee
Votes, 9 to 8, for
Measure.
WOULD, END CAPITAL
PUNISHMENT IN D. C..
Protection for Kosher Meat and
Woman's Right to Jury
Duty Also Voted.

The bill tn abolish capital punish
ment was ordered favorably reported
today, with two other measures affect
ing the District at meeting OF the
House District committee. with all
members present except Representa-
tive Charles l.. Underhll, Republican,
of Massachusetts, and Representative
Thomas l.. Blanton. Democrat, of
Texas.
In addition to the Mcleod bill to
abolish capital punishment, the Zlhi-
man bill granting women the right to
serve on juries and the Dickstein bill
for protection against fraud in the
sale of kosher meat were ordered
favorably reported.
Action was deferred on the Fitz-
gerald Workmens compensation bill
and on the Zlhlman bill providing for
acquisition ui land in Virginia under
the condemnation proceedings, on
which the municipal garbage disposal
plant is located.
At the opening of the meeting Rep
resentative Gilbert, Democrat, of Ken
lucky protested against the situation
in which the District committee was
which, he said. was very embarraSs-
ing, resulting In unnecessary confu-
sion, which was not helpful to the
committee.
Mcleod Makes Report.
Chairman Zihman said that the
criticism was justified and that he
hoped the committee will never again
bring in bill and handle 1t as it did
the amendments to the traffic law.
Chairman Mcleod of the judiciary
subcommittee made favorable report
on the bill to abolish capital punish
ment.
Representative Houston. Republi.
can, of Delaware, called attention that
the subcQmmittee had originally been
3 to against this bill, but had been
increased by two members and had
voted TO report the bill by vote of
TO 3. He opposed the bill. claiming
that hearing had been sentimental
rather than on the provisions of the
proposed legislation.
Representative Lampert.- Republic
an of Minnesota. spoke for the bill,
based on experience in his home
State. The committee voted to s.
and Chairman Zihlman cast the de.
Gliding vote. In favor of reporting the
bill. Representative Houston. Gil
bert and Blanton reserved the right
to file minority report.
Two Others Approved.
Mr.. Mcleod also favorably reported
from subcommittee the bill giving
women a right to serve on juries. In
the absence of Mr. Blanton. il being
known that he was opposed to this
legislation. the question was raised
whether the right should be reserved
for him to file a minority report. His
Democratic colleague, Mr.. Gilbert. said
that he had observed that Mr. Blan-
ton always seems we'll able to protect
his own rights and that he should he
allowed to do SO.
Mr.. Mcleod then presented a favor
able report on the Dickstein bill to
prevent fraud in the sale of kosher
meat. Mr.. Gilbert registered his OBJ
position. Led by Representative Reid
of Illinois. the committee then in.
dulged in lengthy debate, most Of
which was facetious. but finally voted
to favorably report the measure.
Wheh Mr.. kellogg called up for
action the Fitzgerald workmen's com.
pensation bill. Representatives Bowles.
Republican. of Massachusetts. and
Houston, Republican. Of Delaware,
notified the committee that Mr.. Un-
derhill. chairman of the subcommit.
tee, which handled this measure. was
absent from the city. Chairman Zihl.
man said that Mr.. Underhil had
asked that action be deferred on the
workmen's compensation legislation.
Mr.. Gilbert served notice that he
will offer amendments to increase the
compensation allowance, saying that
he believes the amounts in the bill
are not fair to labor
Compensation Bill Delayed.
After lengthy wrangle. it was
finally voted to continue considera-
ton of the workmen's compensation
mittee, and that it should be made
the special order of business for a
final vote at the committee meeting
two weeks from today.
Mr.. Gibson, Republican. of Vermont,
made report from the subcommittee
on the bill authorizing condemnation
Of S5 acres Of land at Cockpit Point,
Va, % miles south of Washington, on
which the District Government now
owns and operates $4,000 plant. The
owner of this land has tract of $50
acres and wants $40 per acre rental
under a 50-year lease. The land is
assessed for $6 an acre.
Mr.. Reid protested that 1t was not
fair to take only IS acres out of q
45O.acre tract for garbage plant and
ruin the rest Of the property.
chairman Zihlman told the commit
tee that he had promised Representa-
tive Menges of Pennsylvania hear
Inc on this measure. The owner of
the land lives in Pittsburgh. In order
that the chairman might grant the
hearing as promised. action was de-
forred