Evening star., 1935-04-28
BY JESSE C. SUTER.

~ ISTRICT day in the
House last Monday nearly
cleared the calendar Of
- District measures. Among
the five bills passed were
the Senate bill authorizing q
P. w. A. loan to the District to
construct the court buildings on
Judiciary Square, which included
q House amendment authorizing
inclusion of 100000 for improve
ments to the Children's Hospital.
As this Is written advice Is re-
ceived that the conferees have
agreed to the House amendments
and the bills passage Is assured.
Another important bill passed In
this group Is the amendment to
the public utility law limiting the
scope Of appeals to the courts
from decisions of the Public Utili-
ties Commission. This Is planned
to expedite the final determine
tion Of all important public utility
matters.
The other bills were to permit q
private firm to construct petroleum
pipes under certain streets, to
amend the charter of q corpora
ton operating a large music store
and one authorizing the issuance
Of congressional automobile license
tags to the assistant parlia.
mentarian OF the House Of Repre-
fot 20 {D,trxxnl and
tally clerks of that body.
Because Of its controversial ma.
ture, the bill to abolish the So
called hidden bars was not called
up for consideration and it Is
rumored that an attempt will be
made to withdraw it from the
calendar. This indicates VIC
tory for Commissioner George e.
Allen, who announced that the
hidden bars would 60 only over
his dead body. 1t Is predicted
that Aliens life will be spared.
The House District Committee
has favorably reported the Ellen
bogen unemployment compensa-
ton bill and the Norton old-age
assistance bill. The Smith bills
granting policemen and firemen
the privilege of residing outside
OF the District within the metro
politan area have also been re.
ported favorabiy.
Favorable report Of the airport
bill by the House committee, pro-
viding for a commission of seven
to select site and q commission
OF three to operate a local airport.
Is the occasion for surprise and
protest bf some Of the civic bodies.
This action includes the definite
rejection Of the generally approved
Gravelly Point site.
The automobile responsibility
bill, which has passed both houses,
is still in conference. The es-
sential difference is in regard to
the application Of the provisions
of the law to motorists from out
OF town. The supporters of this
legislation point to the fact that
this Is safety mes sure which
should apply with equal force to
all who drive motor vehicles on
the Capitals highways.
The District appropriation bill,
which continues in conference, is
Of course. the most important of
all District matters at the Capitol.
The District Appropriation Sub
committees of the House and
Senate and the conferees on the
appropriation bill are really the
governing bodies of the District.
The legislative committees bring
out and secure the passage of
various measures but in most cases
such legislation is only effective
If supported by adequate appro-
pristions.
Outstanding problems before
the Commissioners during the
week were the proposed new di-
vorce law. which was approved;
the replacement of Chain Bridge
and the proposal to amend the
law governing the sale of coal by
substituting the standard 1000
pound ton for the long ton of
2,24o pounds.