Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-04
SENATE MAY PUSH |
PLAZA BILL ACT|ON|
Many District Measures
Seem Doomed to Be Lost
During Finale.

A final effort will be made In the Sem
ate today to put through the Reyes
Elliott bill for enlargement of the Cap
itol grounds and development OF the
Plaza between the Capitol and Union
Station, but a number of other District
measures still en- the Senate calendar
are likely to be lost IN the few remain
ing hours OF the SEVENTEEN Congress.
The Plaza improvement measure.
which is one of the important features
of the general program for the beauti-
fication of the National Capital, was
before the Senate nearly all day yester-
day, but in the evening parliamentary
tangle developed over other legislation,
ending in a decision reach about 1890
o'clock to recess until 11:l0 O'Clock this
morning.
Senator Reyes, Republican. Of New
Hampshire is still hopeful OF obtaining
a vote upon the Plaza bill, but there
appears to be little, If any, chance for
the other local bills that have not yet
been acted upon. s.
LEGISLATION for extension of the pub
lie library facilities to all parts Of the
District as provided for in the organic
law. where now only about one-third
of the people get this important edu-
cational service has passed the House
and still may be acted upon in the Sen
ate. If the calendar is called again.
This measure provides for 100000
building program. the principal feature
of which Is that when new school build
ings are erected special wing, with
separate entrance for branch library,
would be included. 1t was favorapiy
reported by Chairman Capper OF the
Senate District committee a few days
ago.
Merger Sidetracked.
The steering committee had listed the
street railway merger resolution as the
next order of business, but this meas
ure is now regarded as being virtually
sidetracked until the new Congress.
The Cramton bill, under which $l6.-
600 600 would have been advanced 70
the District by the Federal Governs
ment for immediate acquisition OF pro-
posed park areas within the DlStrlct,
to be repaid at the rate OF Sl.OOo,O0U
a year without interest. passed the
House a few days ago by unonimous
consent. Members of the Senate Dis
trict committee, however. felt that so
important a measure could haroly De
handled in the Senate during the last
few DAYS of the session, and It was
not reported out. In addition to the
advance for park development in the
District, the bill provided also tund
Of $7,000,000 for purchase OF parkway
lands in Maryland and Virginia, parts
of which, would be on $3.50 basis for
building palisade drives on both sides
of the river to Great Falls, and the ex-
tensions of Rock Greek parkway and
Anacostia parkway into Maryland would
be at a cost of two-thirds to the State
or political subdivision, and one-third
tn the Federal Government.
Other District Measures.
Other local measures which have
passed the House, but are still pend
ing on the Senate calendar, with their
chances for enactment growing less AS
the hour of adjournment approaches,
are:
The bill to provide free text books
In the Junior and senior high schools.
The proposal to give legal status to
the existing wonen's bureau In the
Police Department and to define its
functions.
The measure to regulate the height
and exterior design of private buildings
erected In the future adjacent to the
more important Federal buildings and
parks.
The bill to give the District more
rigid law for sale, possession and trans
portation Of dangerous weapons passed
the House. but was not reported out by
the Senate District committee and goes
over to the next Congress.
The proposed new code Of insurance
laws for the District passed the House
during the first session Of this Con-
gress. but the Senate committee de-
cided not to press for its passage at
this session.