Evening star., 1935-07-17
MRS. JENCKES hit
FOR CRITICISM OF
D. c.: PROSECUTOR
Prettyman Was Accused of
MaIfeasance in Loan y
Shark Laxity.
MRS. NORTON LEADS
ATTACK ON INDIANAN
Palmisano Joins With House D. c,
Committee Head in Regret
ting Accusations.
BY JAMES e, CHINN.


Salvos of criticism were fired in the
House District Committee today at
Representative Jenckes, Democrat. of
Indiana for her recent attack on Cor
poration Counsel E. Barrett Pretty
man.
Mrs. Jenckes a week ago charged
Prettyman with malfeaSance in Office
on the ground he had failed to enforce
the existing loan shark law. Incl
dentally, she criticized Commissioner
Hazen for his connection with a
building and loan association.
Chairman Norton led the attack on
Mrs. Jenckes by branding her charges
as most unfair" Representative Pal
misano, Democrat, of Maryland joined
in the denunciation by expressing his
regret over her statements.
Mrs. Jenckes Replies Briefly.
Mrs. Jenckes replied briefly. She
pointed out Prettyman had said he
was not enforcing the loan shark
law and declared:
IF you cant take man at hi
own statement, what are you going to
do?"
Palmisano paved the way for the
attack on Mrs. Jenckes by calling at
tention to her criticism of Prettyman
at last weeks meeting of the commit
tee which he die not attend. He also
deplored the fact that the bill tt
regulate the small loan business haC
been returned to the Judiciary Sub.
committee, which he heads, for re.
consideration
"I again say" declared Palmisano
"that I regret the remarks made at
the last meeting with reference te
the corporation counsel and the COM
missioner in view of the fact that the
member or members criticizing the
corporation counsel and the commits
sioners are not aware of the circum-
stances that produced this bill"
Mrs. Norton Immediately joined
Palmisano in criticizing the return
Of the bill to the subcommittee.
"a condition of that kind is very
bad" she declared, "I hope it will
never happen again."
Later in the discussion Mrs. Norton
turned on Mrs. Jenckes with a strong
defense of Prettyman.
'The corporation counsel has acted
very fair with the committee" she
said. Il have the utmost confidence
in him, and I don't think he would
do anything that is not in the best
interests OF the people of the District.
Hazen Charge Ridiculous.
"As to the charge against Commits
sioner Hazen for his connection with
q building association, that is ridicu-
lous. 1t Is not worth considering or
commenting on"
In the midst Of the debate, Repre-
sentative Hull, Prrsl lessive, of Wis
consin, who was instrumental in fore
ing the return Of the small loan bill
to the subcommittee, warned en-
phatically he would fight the measure
If it was ever called up on the floor
OF the House.
'This bill," he declared, provides
for legalized extortion. do not in
tend to. mince ary words. Whatever
strength I have I will use to defeat
it."
Palmisano also prevented action on
ali but one measure BY threatening to
raise point Of NJ quorum.
The only bill reported out is one
authorizing the Benevolent Protective
Order OF Elks of the World to use the
public parks during IT'S convention in
August.
Reports on d. C. Measures.
Mrs. Norton, at the outset of the
meeting. made report on the status
OF District legislation that has passed
through her committee. She ex-
planned that 18 bills had been en-
acted into law, 2 others had passed
the House and Senate but had not
yet been signed by the President, and
that II more had passed. the House
and are pending in the Senate.
Mrs. Norton also pointed out that
Monday, the next regular District
day in the House, may be the last at
the present session and urged all
members of her committee to be on
the floor to aid in the passage of the
important bills on the calendar.