Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-02-03
DISTRICT BILLS j.
REPORTED OUT
Measures viii Come Before
the House for Considera.
ton on Monday.
The House District COMMITTEES TODAY

The House District Committee today
favorably reported six bills, which will
place seven District bills on the cal
endar for consideration in the House
next Monday, which is to be District
day.
Mrs. Mary T. Norton, chairman of
the committee, urged all members to
be on the floor Monday to support her
in putting through this legislation.
She emphasized that it would be the
last opportunity for any District meas
ures until late in March, and the next
District day following would fail on
February %, Washington's birthday
anniversary.
Already on the House calendar await
ing action is a bill to relieve the Dis
trict Committee of certain admins
terial functions in signing routine
papers certifying action already taken
by tina commission.
List of Measures.
The six bills reported today are: To
incorporate the District of Columbia
Bicentennial Commission; to prevent
the tax assessor from being disqualified
to testify as a tax expert in cOndemna-
ton proceedings because Of his official
position; to expand Improvements on
the west SIDE Of Georgia avenue north
Of Princeton place; the committee sub
Stltuted the bill which has already
passed the Senate authorizing the use
of union labor and products made in
the District; granting the Police Trial
Board the power OF subpoena through
the District Supreme Court, and amend
ing the condemnation law for the Dis
trict to expedite the taking Of property
on serving notice that the District in
tends to acquire it through condemna-
ton TO make the District law in har-
mony with the Federal statute on the
same subject.
Davenport Is Relieved.
York today was relieved of further duty
with the House District Committee. He
offered his resignation to the House
because he desired more time to devote
to his work as a member of the Com
mlttee on Expenditures in the Executive
Departments
Representative Patman. Democrat, of
Texas, and Corporation Counsel Bride
got into sharp dispute over the bill
authorizing the incorporation of the
District OF Columbia BiCentenniaI Com
mission. This bill had been amended
to meet objections raised when it was
Of the amendments was a provision
that none Of the officers of the Corpo-
ration could receive any profit, but
that all profit if any, must be paid into
the Federal Treasury.
Representative Patman proposed an
other amendment chat no corporation
in which any Of the directors of the
Blcentennial Incorporation were inter-
eSted were to receive any profit,
Bride Voices Protest.
Corporation Counsel Bride argued
that under such an amendment they
would not be permitted to use the teIe-
phone or to do any business with prac-
ucally any business concern in The Dis
trlCt. He declared that he would prefer
that there should be no incorporation
than to hog-tle the commission. Pat
man allowed the bill to be ~oCc-ted
with the statement that he would sCudy
It and reserve the right to oppose it il
not satisfied after his study.
Three bills were referred to the Ju.
dietary subcommittee
Chairman Black of the Subcommittee
on Public Utilities reported to the full
committee the Mount Vernon Was Tag.
ton and-AleXa ndTia Railway bin Glow
ing that concern to go into the Dis
trlct courts to recover damages no. to
exceed 100000 for being compelled to
remove their tracks in the Mall triangle
where Federal building projects are
under way, thus compelling abandon
ment of the entire line.
I Representative Gasque. Democrat Of
South Carolina, pulled a lengthy brief
from his pocket and strenuously OBJ
/ jected to the committee acting favor
ably upon this bill.
Sees Da0perouS Precsdapt
/ He argued that it would establish Q
dangerous precedent because local trac.
ton lines had been compelled to re.
move their tracks in the yi2rni.y Of
! the Capitol and this would give them
! an opportunity to go into court seek.
| ing damages.
Representative Gasque told the com.
mittee that the controller general has
/ stated informally that the Fedora!
building program appropriations are not
( available to pay such claims
/ Corporation Counsel Bride pointed
/ out that a gentleman's agreement wa!
! made between the Treasury Depart.
ment and the railway under which thu
/ railway was to clear out its tracks and
| let the Government proceed with itl
| building program.
Representative Gasque asserted his
belief that if any one was compelled. to
| pay it should be the District of Co.
| lumbia. Further consideration of this
bill was postponed indefinitely.
Representative Black announced his
! Subcommittee on Public Utilities will
! start further hearings tomorrow MORN
ling at II o'clock on the bill authorizing
i a merger Of traction lines in the Dis
I'trict Of Columbia