Evening star., 1932-05-24
BLANT0N BLOCKS
DISTRICT BILLS
TWenty-four Local Measures
/ Fail of Consideration on
Technically.

On the last Scheduleo DOtrlct ody
IN the House yesterday, the opportunity
OF passing "a District bills was frus-
trated by Representative Thomas L.
Blanton. Democrat, Of Texas.
Chairman Norton Of the House Dis
trict Committee and Representative
Palmisano. Democrat, of Maryland,
openly denounced Mr. Blanton for fill
clustering and obstructive tactics, and
he replied to Mrs. Norton that he could
not be swerved from doing his duty 'by
catty remarks"
Representative Loring Black, Demo-
crat, Of New York. pleaded for an op-
portunity as emergency measures to put
through two bills which will open up
the Buzzards Point area between the
Navy Yard and War College with an in
dustrial development on which $780,
600 is to be Immediately expended, say
ing that this is the first ray OF light I
have seen for unemployment relief"
Again, Representative Blanton insisted
on point of no quorum and the House
adjourned.
Attacks Bowman Bill.
The clash between Mr. Blanton and
members of the District Committee
came on consideration of the Bowman
bill to regulate the sale Of securities in
the District This measure has the
support Of the District officials and of
the leading bankers and business or
carnations. Mr.. Blanton contended
that such legislation would allow con-
victed defrauders to resume the sale Of
worthless securities under a license.
Taking the floor in protest against
dilatory tactics, Mrs. Norton said, in
part:
II am very sorry there seems to be q
feeling in the House that the business
OF the District Of Columbia is not the
Nations business.
Since I have been chairman Of this
committee we have had great deal Of
trouble in bringing before the House
legislation for the District Of Columbia.
It seems there are certain members OF
the House who are insistent upon block
ing everything that Is for the benefit Of
the District I appeal to the members
for their cooperation, and say to you
there is not harder working commit
tee in the House than the Committee
on the District Of Columbia. We work
in that committee without any personal
gain.
Asks Cooperation.
"It does not make a particle Of diff
ference to the people back home in our
districts what we do for the District Of
Columbia; but since the people of the
District have no vote, and since we are
tainly think the members Of the House
ought to give US at least their Cooper
alton May I say, too. that majority
of the members of the House have given
us their cooperation.
Until the people of the District have
q vote (and God knows hope that day
will be soon, 50 that 1t will take away
from us this responsibility which no.
body seems to want) it is our RESPONSE
bility. I appeal to you gentlemen to
support us.
this committee there seems to be GER
tain gentleman who has tried to block
everything before the committee. I be-
Ieve in calling spade spade, and I
am going to mention names. I find
that the gentleman from Texas is op-
posed to everything that is brought to
the floor Of this House. The gentleman
does not come to me as man to man
and say to me, i object to this bill and
I wish to change it The gentleman
comes on the floor and tries to filibuster
all day, and because we will not stand
for his filibustering. then he resorts to
other means to try to break up this
committee. II the gentleman from
there is no use Of my trying to continue
as chairman Of the committee. I am
trying to do an honest job. 1t has
given me a great deal Of concern. and
I have worked very hard to fulfill my
contract with the people Of the Dis
trict"
Interrupted by a request that she
state which gentleman from Texas she
referred to, Mrs. Norton said:
Time Is Wasted.
II refer to Mr.. Blanton, of course. I
supposed all the members knew that. I
did not think it was necessary to state
his name. The gentleman from Texas
comes to me smiling and says, I want
to help you,' and then we bring In our
bills. - 10 "a -,
II you have ever thought he has given
me any help? I say he has given me
no help and say It right to his face.
The last day the District Committee
had the floor, when happened to call
attention to the fact that he had con-
sumed some two hours of our day and
money-for every single page Of the
Congressional Record costs $60-he did
not ike 1t very much.
This is the first time the lady from
New jersey, the chairman of the COM
mittee, has taken up any time Of this
House. do not believe in taking up
the time Of the House on anything that
is unnecessary, and any time have ad-
dressed the House 1t has only been be-
cause felt 1t absolutely duty on my
part to do SO. II every member Of this
House was as careful of the time con-
sumed by this House as am, we would
have finished our legislation long ago
and be ready to 60 home by the 10th Of
June.
HurIs VANITY" Charge.
"r think everybody in this House I'M