Evening star., 1934-04-12
HOUSE POSTPONES
D. c. BILL ACTION
Measure May Be Delayed
Until Next Week Due to
Cannon Accident.

The House Unexpectedly altered its
program today and postponed con-
sideration of the 1885 District ap-
preparation bill until either tomorrow
or next week.
In the meantime Representative
Otter, Republican, of Pennsylvania, a
member of the subcommittee on ap-
preparations which framed the meas
ure, made preparations to lead a Wig
orous fight against several of the legis-
lative provisions in the bill, especially
the one making mandatory a 3o-cent
reduction in the tax rate.
Plans had been made to call the bill
up in the House late today. but Ma
jority Leader Byrns announced after
a conference with Chairman Buchanan
Of the Appropriations Committee that
under no circumstances vould 1t be
considered before tomorrow.
The delay was said to be due to
the absence of Representative Cannon,
Democrat. Of Missouri, chairman of
the Subcommittee on Appropriations
of the District, who will have charge
of the measure on the floor. Cannon
is still suffering from injuries received
in an automobile accident Monday
night In front Of the House Office
Building.
May Adjourn to Monday.
Byrns said it was Buchanan's de-
Giro 70 handle tho hill
and that he probably would be able
to return tomorrow. However, there
is possibility that the House will ad-
journ after today's session until Mon
day, which would delay consideration
of the District bill until next week.
Representative Blanton, Democrat,
of Texas, an active member Of the
Subcommittee on Appropriations, had
made preparations to handle the bill
on the floor of the House pending
Cannons return, but he told Byrns
he would rather have the subcom-
mittee chairman do 1t and get the
credit he deserves
Cannon has worked so hard on
this bill he should get all the credit
for its passage" Blanton declared.
In fact, the measure was really re-
sponsible for the accident. Cannon
was thinking about it Monday night
when struck by an automobile IN
front of the Office building"
Fight Is in Prospect.
A vigorous fight against several Of
the legislative provisions in the 1885
District appropriation bill. especially
the one making mandatory a 3o-cent
reduction in the tax rate, was indi-
Gated as the House members consid-
cred the measure.
Differs first move will be to raise
q point of order against tax reduc-
ton provision. it was understood. He
expects it to be sustained in view of
! the House rules which forbid legis-
lation on an appropriation bill
Twice at the last session points of
order were sustained against similar
legislation in the District supply bill
$500, 900 Loss.
A reduction in the tax rate from
sl.50 to 81 20, as provided in the bill
1t has been pointed out, will reduce
the Districts revenue by $1,000 900 in
the coming year. Coupled with the
10 per cent pay cut restoration to
municipal employees, this virtually will
wipe out the prospective $4,000, ,000
surplus In unobligated tax revenues on
which the Commissioners had hoped
| to draw for some of the necessary
improvements denied in the original
budget estimates.
The bill, as reported to the House,
provides only a few new projects and
does little more than place the Dis
trict on q subsistence budget in the
coming fiscal year.
In view Of the apparent determine
ton of the Appropriation COMMITTEES
to make the District bill strict econ
omy measure, no major amendments
are expected to be added by the House.
However, If thv mandatory tax reduc-
ton rider Is eliminated on q point of
order, this would pave the way for
the Senate to add q number Of new
items and yet provide the District
with . balanced budget in the 1885
fiscal year.