Evening star., 1931-12-12
Congress and the District.


The usual food of legislation pro-
posed for the District Of Columbia,
some Of 1t representing the consId-
cred thought OF the municipal au-
thorities for improving local condi-
tionS, some of it representing the views
of sections of the community, sbme Of
It representing the personal whims and
fsncies Of individual members Of Con-
gress, has flowed through the chan
nels provided for such matter and
rests temporarily in the District of Co.
lumbia Committees Of House and Senate.
BY the end Of what promises to be
O long and turbulent session a rela-
lively small part Of this proposed legis-
lstion will have been enacted into law
1t remains for the members Of Con-
gress, and especially the members of the
legislative committees in both branches
to choose between the good and the bad
bills, 10 separate the really important
measures from those that are intro
duced merely as pleasant and somewhat
individuals. The members of this COM
munity, unrepresented in the commit
tees or on the floor Of either house. are
willing to trust their friends in Con-
gress to make the wise choice. The
danger, however, is not that unimpor-
tant bills will be given too much con-
sideration, but that the important meas
ures will not be given enough of the
sort Of consideration that permits ener-
getic solution Of the problems they rep
resent.
This year, as always, there are a
number Of so-called controversial meas
ures introduced along with the flood Of
opening week legislation. The street
car merger bill, the bill designed to
curb the indiscriminste sale of dan
gerous weapons, measures relating to
procedure and regulations to protect
investors in securities, real estate and
homes and bill for the safety RESPONSE
bility for motorists have been intro
duced or prepared for introduction.
Few persons can be found to contest
the desirable aims of such legislation.
But because there Is natural differ
ence Of opinion over wording and spe-
ctfic provisions, all of the "contro-
versial" legislation is at once threatened
with slow death.
To argue that because bill involves
controversy, or that, because the people
OF the District are themselves divided
over its provisions there is little, If any,
chance for its survival in Congress, is
70 take a wholly unreasonable concep-
ton of the special obligations Of Con-
gresS toward its ward, the District Of
Columbia. The exclusive power of Con-
gTess TO legislate for the District carries
with it an extraordinary responsibility.
A willingness by the members Of the
committees dealing with District of Co.
lumbia legislation TO undertake the real
labor involved in making decision and
then breasting the natural tide of oppo-
sition rising to meet controversial"
legislation would indicate, more than
any one thing, the fact that this
extraordinary responsibility is rightfully
being assumed.
Senator Capper's sympathetic and in
defatigable work as chairman of the
Senate District Committee is known
and appreciated by the members of this
community. The likelihood that Mrs
Mary T. Norton Of New Jersey Will be-
come the chairman Of the House Dis
trict Committee is regarded with excep-
tional interest not because the chair
man Of this important committee may
be woman, but because Mrs. Norton
has already shown that she has a mind
of her own and is willing TO use it. A
great opportunity for constructive work
In behalf Of the Capital City awaits her
She can do much 10 develop a new
spirit IN the House District Committee
that will encourage a really studious
consideration and prompt disposition of
District OF Columbia legislation.
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