Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-26
POLICE MERGER
MEASURE UP SOON
District Committee to Con-
slider Proposal for Console
dalton of Forces.

The Rla nton bill for transferring the
United States park police force to the
metropolitan police force of the Dis
trict in order to have unified police
and traffic authority in the National
Capital was made special order of
business for next Wednesday before
the House District committee at a
meeting held today.
The Manlove and Hull bills to
regulate the sale of black bass in the
District of Columbia are also special
order of business for next Wednesday.
Want District Day soon.
Chairman Gibson of special sub
committee. which is making an exten
sive systematic survey of municipal
administration of the National Capital
protested against the Republican
leadership taking District day away
from the House District committee for
the passage of legislation
He said that pending District leEis-
alton is important and that he pro-
tested against any group of men hold.
ing up measures that are essential or
important to the welfare of a half
million people. He urged Chairman
Zihlman to use his best efforts to Sc
cure District day in the House as
soon as possible. Representative
Thomas l.. Blanton Democrat of Tex.
as said that next Saturday might be
secured as District day If the House
leaders would seek 1t.
Black Bass Bill Delayed
The Manlove bill to regulate the
sale of black bass, similar to the
Halves bill, favorably reported in the
Senate. was laid over until next week
at the request of Mr.. Blanton. Chair
man Zihlman said that he would in
vite Representative Manlove, author
of this measure, and Representative
William f. Hull. sponsor of similar
measure. to explain the purpose of
this legislation at the next meeting.
Representative Gilbert, Democrat,
of Kentucky explained the law OF
descent and distribution by direction
from the Judiciary subcommittee,
pointing out that the law in the Dis
trict is an astonishing situation in
that IL excludes female heirs in many
cases. On the recommendation of the
judiciary subcommittee the Gilbert
bill was substituted for the Mcleod
bill. which is awaiting action on the
House calendar.
The fugitive law recommended by
the Gibson subcommittee at the re
quest Of the major and superintend-
ent of Metropolitan Police was order
ed favorably reported
Two minor committee amendments
were approved for the bill to reor-
ganize the recorder of deeds office,
which was reported to the House by
Chairman Zihlman. Representative
Houston. speaking for the subcommit-
tee. explained that this reorganization
would save $4,000 a year in the opera
ton Of this office.
Would Push Deed Building.
On motion of Representative Blan-
ton it was emphasized that it is the
will of the committee that the new
building for the recorder of deeds
authorized in the Madden BILL asked
at the last session of Congress, should
be promptly constructed. Mr.. Blan-
ton emphasized the grave fire menace
to deeds and titles of property in the
present structure.
Chairman Zihlman asked the com
mittee to reverse it's action taken last
week in striking certain language
from the law giving authority to the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission regarding condemnation
proceedings on sites to he acquired.
He pointed out that the bill AS it now
stands on the calendar would really
permit destruction of trees on land
desired for park purposes. which it
was the intention of the committee to
prevent. Representative Houston of
Delaware. who was active in wording
this provision at last weeks meeting,
told the committee that they should
reconsider the matter and restore the
original language.
Mr.. Zihlman was selected to report
the bill with the original provision and
substitute it for the bill on the calen-
dar.
Representative Blanton had read to
the committee letter from the Dis
trict Commissioners heartily approx.
ing his bill for transferring the park
police force to the Metropolitan Police
force and discussed at some length
the condition of what he referred to
as 1.-The sO.called park police" saying
1t creates "a most ridiculous stu
alton"
Scores Park Police.
Mr.. Blanton accused the park police
of favoritism to Army and Navy Of
ficers and of being. in fact, con.
stabulary here 70 protect these Off
GERS. He said that they are laughed
at by crooks and lawbreakers Mr.
Blanton also said that one -seventh of
the entire district is removed from
the operation of the traffic law.
Mr.. Blanton and Mr.. Hammer dis.
.cussed at length a provision in the
Blanton bill with regard to payment
of crossing officers by the street rail.
way companies. Mr.. BIanton insisted
that they give special service to
street cars and buses as against the
interests of the public.
The Blanton bill was referred to
a subcommittee with instructions to
report back with recommendations to
the whole committee before the
meeting next Wednesday.
Representative Gibson asked what
rights the congressional tags gave
members of Congress in regard to
parking al public buildings. He was
told that the metropolitan police
force recognized these tags, and that
In a letter TO Mr.. Blanton, Lieu. Col.
u. S Grant. Sd, officer in charge of
public buildings and public parks
thinks that the park police will also
be instructed to recognize the special
privilege granted by the congress
sional tags.