Evening star., 1935-04-03
PALM|SANO SNAGS
ELLENBOGEN BILL
Approval of District lob In.
SuranCe Measure Is
Deferred.

Approval of the Ellenbogen unem-
, ployment compensation bill for the
District was deferred by the District
Committee today at the insistence of
Representative Palmisano, Democrat,
OF Maryland.
1t was agreed that a motion by
Representative Ellenbogen. Democrat.
Of Pennsylvania. to the effect that
a revised bill be substituted for the
original measure and that the full
committee recommend passage of the
new bill to the House should lie over
until the committee meets again next
Wednesday. Ellenbogen is author of
the proposed legislation and chairman
of a subcommittee which conducted
hearings on 1t.
Palmisano, who was acting as
chairman of the meeting, first sug-
gested the delay on the grounds not
enough members were present to con-
slider such important legislation. Also.
he said. delay had been requested by
Representative Kennedy, Democrat. of
Maryland, another member of the
committee who was unable to be pres
ent at todays meeting. This course
was not agreed upon, however. until
debate between Ellenbogen and Palm
lSano had become somewhat heated.
the former insisting that immediate
action was advisable.
Holds Plan Economical.
THE committee may bring honor
and distinction to itself and Congress
may do likewise by approving this
legislation" Ellenbogen said in max
ing his motion. The bill is drawn in
accordance with administration plans
for a national security program. and
We had the aid of members of the
Presidents Special Committee In the
drafting. Not line is contained here
that has not been considered by these
experts.
I'VE believe the bill adapted to the
peculiar conditions of the District and
we believe it will afford the District
means of saving money In the end.
They are now paying about $4,000. 900
yearly for unemployment relief and
we have drawn this measure SO that
as many as reasonably possible may
become eligible to its provisions.
Asked if any direct opposition to the
legislation had been encountered,
Fllenbogen said, 1--WE have met prac-
tically all opposition uncovered at the
hearings with a single exception En-
ployers favor the bill, but would like
to have employees contribute. The
subcommittee feels, however, that the
employees will contribute most heavily
under the bill as now drawn without
any direct tax being placed upon
them. Furthermore. we feel that un-
employment relief is a part of cost
of production, idle workers being just
as legitimate an overhead expense as
idle machinery"
Railroads Criticized.
Upon Palmisanos insistence that
action be deferred, Ellenbogen charged
that the real objectors are the rail-
roads.
I'VE may as we'll bring it out in
the open," he said. The railroads
want to be exempt from this legis-
lation. They just didn't have the
CUTS to appear before the committee
and say so. received one short
communication from the Baltimore
g. Ohio, but when I asked them to
appear before the committee for
questioning they refused"
Palmisano denied. however, that he
was acting in the interest of the rail-
roads, but rather for his colleagues
from Maryland.
Furthermore, think we ought to
hold UP all local legislation of this
kind until the national program is
enacted" he declared. Before that Is
through Congress it will be butchered
so that enactment of local law Will
make laughing stock"
I'VE ought to have District law
whether or not there is any national
legislation" Ellenbogen maintained.
"and unless District matters are
brought on the floor early in a session,
they fail to receive sufiicient con-
sideration. But If 1t is the sentiment
of the committee that action be post
poned temporarily, will ask that my
motion be held over until next We'd
nesday."
This request was granted.