Evening star., 1930-06-17
LABOR ASKS HOOVER
TO BREAK |MPASSE
Unions Appeal to Him to
Urge Passage of Dis
triCt Bill.

Organized labor Of the District ap-
pealed to President Hoover today to in
tervene in the deadlock between the
House and Senate conferees on the 1891
District appropriation bill and use his
influence to have Congress pass the
measure before adjournment. This ap-
peal was sent to the White House today
The plea was contained in q reso-
luton adopted last night by the Cen
trail Labor Union, which represents 65,-
600 organized workers in the District.
The resolution also Endorsed the stand
taken by the Senate confereeS In hold
ing out for a $12,OO0,000 lump-sum
contribution by the Federal Government
toward the expenses Of the District,
pointing out that this sum is nearer an
equitable division under existing sub
stantive law, which provides for a
60-4O basis of fiscal relations.
House Members Are Scored.
Another resolution was adopted by
the union criticiZing a few" members
Of the House for "tyrannicaI" abuse of
power and urging the organizations
executive committee to formulate plans
to appeal to constituents of the Offend
ing" members to bring about their de-
feat in the coming election.
No names were mentioned in the
resolution, but John b. Colpoys, its
author, said he had particular reference
to Speaker Longworth and Representa-
tives Smell chairman of the rules COM
mtttee; TilSon, majority leader, and
Simmons, chairman Of the Subcommlt-
tee on appropriations.
III introducing the resolution, Colpoys
a former president of the union and now
editor of the Trade Unionist its official
organ, declared that Longworth, Smell
iHN1VR ItNak kal
for the failure Of Congress to pass much
needed legislation for the District.
Simmons Is a small man." he said
HE is temperamentally UNITED to fill
the position he holds by reason of long
evity of service. He has made misstate-
ments both in the committee and on the
floor regarding the Districts fiscal re-
latlons with the Federal Government.
He has manifest at all times a petulent,
intolerant, overbearing and tyrannical
attitude where District legislation has
been concerned.
'Ought to BE Defeated"
He comes up for election next Fall.
He ought not to be allowed to return
to Congress. Organized labor through
out the country should battle for the
defeat OF all such men who put their
own stubbornnesS above the welfare of
the Capital of the Nation and its pub
lie servants.
The resolution urging the President
to intercede in behalf of the District
appropriation read as follows:
According to the daily press, it ap-
pears that an irreconcilable difference
exists In Congress over the qustion of
fiscal relations governing the mainte-
nance OF the District of Columbia
which will prevent the passage of the
District of Columbia appropriation bill
for the year 1891. and
THE question which jeopardiZes the
passage of this bill is the amount of
money which should be appropriated as
the national share toward the cost of
the expense of maintaining the Dis
trict government. the Senate conferees
declaring that a fair share to come
from the National Treasury would be
lump sum of $l2000,000, while the
House conferees declare that the sum
should be $9,0OO,O00.
The present law governing the fiscal
rlation calls for an appropriation on
u 60-40 basis. The sum of $4,000 900,
while falling short of the amount which
should be provided in the existing law,
Is nearer an equitable division. We,
the delegates to the Washington Central
Labor Union, representing $4,000 mem
bers, indorSe the position as taken by
the Senate conferees.
Under our existing form Of govern
ment, the President of the United States
holds position in the District of CO.
lumbia comparable with that OF gov
ernor Of State or mayor of city,
therefore be 1t, Resolved
That the secretary be instructed to
write to President Hoover asking that
he intervene in this deadlock and use his
influence in Congress to the end that
the District of Columbia appropriation
Dill as passed by the Senate be enacted
into law before this session of Congress
adjOurnS."
The text Of the resolution charging
members OF Congress with abuse Of
power, follows:
Under the form Of government in
the District Of Columbia the members
OF Congress act as our legislative body.
Through longevity of service few
members OF the House of Representa-
tlVeS have risen TO positions of power
and influence on important committees.
Instances have occurred where this
power has been abused in q tyrannical
manner against the best interests of the
future welfare of our city. Therefore, be
1t resolved
That the executive committee of the
Central Labor Union give consideration
to formulating plans to appeal 10 the
constituents of the offending members
of Congress with q view to bringing
about their defeat in the coming elec-
ton"