Evening star., 1933-03-02
DEATH Of WALSH
DELAYS ACTION ON
D. c. SUPPLY BILL
Senate Leaders Still Hope to
Pass Measure Before
Session Adjourns.
DEBATE ON TAXI METERS
RESUMES TOMORROW
Failure to Enact Legislation by
Saturday Would Throw 1t
Back Into House.

ton bill at this session still was hoped
for at the Capitol today, although ad-
iournment of the Senate because of the
death of Senator Walsh of Montana
postponed final action on the measure
by the Senate and its consideration in
conference until tomorrow.
When the Senate reconvenes at $50
am. tomorrow, it will resume considera-
ton of the taxicab meter question, the
only amendment remaining to be acted
upon before a vote is taken on the
bill.
Senator Bingham, Republican, of Con-
necticut, in charge of the measure, will
ask for appointment of confereeS as
soon as the bill passes. Its chances for
enactment then will depend on whether
House and Senate confereeS succeed in
adjusting differences without delay. II
the bill is not acted on and signed by
the President by noon Saturday, it will
go over until the special session, in
which it would have to start over again
in the House.
Approves Lump Sum.
The Senate yesterday approved the
increase in the Federal contribution
from $4,000, 900 to S9,500,000, and all
other committee amendments, except
the proposal to require meters on taxi
cabs, provided the rates do not exceed
25 cents for the first 2 miles and 10
cents for each additional or fraction
thereof.
The House wrote into the bill a pro-
vision to prevent the Utilities Comm1s-
sion from requiring meters.
Debate on the meter question began
with Senators Black, Democrat, Of Ala
bama; McKeller, Democrat, OF Ten
nessee; Borah, Republican, OF Idaho,
and Capper, Republican, of Kansas, op--
posing the meter system, as advocated
by the Senate committee. 1t was
argued that the meter requirement.
would be hardship on individual taxi
cab drivers and a considerable num-
ber of them would be forced out OF
business.
Copeland Defends Meters.
Senator Copeland, Democrat, Of New
York. defended the committee recon-
mendation for the meter system with
a restriction on rates. Senators on op-
pcsite sides Of the question disagreed
as to whether the taxicab drivers favor
the f1at-rate zone system or the meters.
After allowing for a few changes on
the Senate floor, the bill in its present
form carries total Of approximately
$36,980,000.
s9,5OO,000 Sum Approved.
The committee amendment raising
the Federal contribution was approved
late yesterday.
Senator King, Democrat, Of Utah, ex-
pressed his opposition to raising the
House figure, following which the com.
mittee recommendation was adopted
without record vote.
The various other Senate amend
ments, restoring budget figures which
had been scaled down in the House,
were passed quickly, and 1t seemed the
bill would be put to final vote last
night, when the fight against ordering
meters on taXicabs broke out anew.
When the taxicab amendment was
reached first, it was adopted with little
discussion, but later Senator Black,
Democrat, of Alabama, opposing meters,
followed a general debate IN Whlcn
dozen or more Senators took part.
On motion of Senator Bingham the
Senate adopted a committee amend
ment inserting the clause which has
|been in the District bills for the past
few years forbidding decrease In the
tax rate on real estate and tangible
personal property during the next nscal
year.
Senator King asked for an explana-
ton, calling attention to changes In
property valuations. He said 1t may
be wise, but tnat he could conceive
of contingencies that might necessl-
tate some rearrangement OF the nscai
system and refinancing."
Senator Bingham said he did not
know why the House left the provision
out this year, and that the Senate
Committee deemed it wise to restore
BIT. He said the committee felt the
way to reduce taxes 'in the District
hs to make the assessment come q
bittle nearer the value of the property
Father than to reduce the tax rate"
During debate on the bill Senator
king, who will be chairman OF the
District Legislative Committee OF the
Senate after March 4, renewed his bene1
that the District Commissioners should
be given broader general powers 10
relieve Congress of some OF the local
huestions that require congressional
hction at present.
floor added $4,000 to the item Tor
ton law.
In connection with the item for paw
ing Conduit road, Reservoir road to the
District line, the Senate added authority
for grading, culvertS and retaining
walls.
Another School Item.
Besides the additions the committee
had made to the school building pro-
gram, the Senate, en- motion OF Cnalr-
nan Bingham, included another item,
rs follows:
For completing the erection Of a
unior high school building on site
Already purchased for that purpose at
Nineteenth street and Minnesota avenue
outheast, in Anacostia. SITS, 900.
Net to exceed 5000 of the unex-
bended balance of the reappropriatton
or rehabilitation of the Wilson Teach
rs' College, contained in the District
bf Columbia appropriation act, fiscal
ear 1888, is hereby made Immediately
Ivailable and shall continue available
ntil June 80, 1884, for the improvement
If the central heating plant for the
Street Junior High and Douglass
Simmons Schools.
The Senate next adopted the neces-
AIRY amendment to enable the indus
ries at Occoquan and Lorton 10 continue
10 operate to avoid leaving the prisoners
h idleness The House had knocked out
he revolving fund under which these
Industries function The brick and
Ither materials made at the Workhouse
md Reformatory are used by the Fed
raj and District governments.
On molten of Senator King, the Sen
lte struck out the committee amend
hent providing for paving of Sixteenth
treet from Columbia road to Tiger
Bridge, to cost $105.0 A long list
u other streets added to the House
Pill by the committee were approved.