Evening star., 1934-05-02
Chairman Norton Directed
to Speed Passage by
Special Rule.
CONSIDERATION LIKELY
MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK
Identical Measure Already o. KID
by Senate-All Debt to Be
Repaid in 19 Years.

1Hc 11OuSc OSIIICL NOiHHIIlee ny
unanimous vote today reported favor
ably the Norton bill authorizing the
District Commissioners to borrow S2O,-
100000 from the Public Works Ad-
ministration for important construc-
ton projects and park land purchases
The committee directed Chairman
Norton to apply for special rule to
expedite passage. An identical bill
already has passed the Senate.
Mrs. Norton told the committee the
House leadership had promised her
that under the special rule the bill
can be brought up Immediately after
action on the more important national
measures and estimated this would
be the middle of next week.
Corporation Counsel Prettyman en-
phaSized that the bill, as passed by
the Senate, carries amendments with
respect to repayments which meet the
wishes of the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission so there is
now entire agreement upon the desira-
bllity of early passage of the bill.
All obligations under both the
Capper-Cramton act for park pur-
chases and the proposed P. w. A..
loan would be entirely repaid within
l9 years.
Complete Accord on Bill.
Frederic A. Delano, speaking for the
park and planning commission, also
asserted there is complete accord on
the measure and said he realizes there
must be cooperation in the develop
ment of the Washington region of
common interest for the adjoining
States.
Representative Patman, Democrat,
of Texas, called attention to the fact
the bill merely gives to the commits
sioners the same rights with respect to
P. w. A. funds as the States have and
to make repayments in the same way
the States do. DR.. George E. Haven
ner suggested an amendment which
would include branch public libraries.
CORPORATION Counsel Prettyman op-
posed the amendment on the ground
it would throw the bill back into con-
ference. He advised that branch
Libraries be left for inclusion in reg
ular annual appropriation bills rather
than to jeapordize the present
measure.
DR.. George F. Bowerman, puonc
librarian, expressed regret at the re-
strictive language in the bill, explain
ing that the branch library situation
is extremely bad. with only SO per
cent of the population served py
branch libraries. He said TINS conol-
tion would become worse with the
necessity for the District to pay back
70 per cent of the expected S2O,OOO,-
900 loan. which would limit the
chances for branch library approprla-
tions in the annual budget.
Mrs. Norton expressed the opinion
the District Committee is entirely IN
sympathy with the branch library pro-
i gram, but thought the bill should
not be opened up, as there are num-
Der of other demands for important
projects.
Five Other Bills o. KID.
The committee also favorably re-
ported five other bills. Chairman Nor
ton pointed out Congress expects to
adjourn about June l, so there will
be two other District days IN the
House. the next one on Monday, May
IA. She urged committee members to
attend and help pass the important
pending District legislation.
On motion of Representative Pat
man the bill to exempt from taxation
certain property of the American
Legion in the District was reported
with an amendment, offered by Repre-
sentative Dirksen, Republican, of 1lG-
nois, limiting it so long as the prop
erty is not used for commercial
purposes.
On another motion of Patman, the
committee reported the bill to prevent
Misrepresentation and deception In
the sale of milk and cream. At the
request of the Corporation Counsel,
the bill has been amended to require
signs on wagons.
As chairman of the subcommittee
which has conducted hearings on the
taxicab liability insurance bill, Pat
man announced that in a conference
with the corporation counsel agree
ment has been reached for further
hearings, which are to be held Fri
day morning. He promised Chairman
Norton the bill would be completed so
that it would be ready to be brought
up in the House on the next District
day.
Representative Harlan, Democrat, of
Ohio, sought action on the bill to reg
ulate life insurance firms in the Dis
trict, but was told by committee mem-
bers there was little chance of getting
it through at this session. Harlan
volunteered to get a special rule for
this legislation.