Evening star., 1935-05-15
Chairman Norton Concerned
Over Possible Adjournment
Without Action.
PAlMISAN0 SILENT
ON GAMING PROPOSAL
New D. c. Day in House Uncer-
tain in View Of Other Legis-
lation Due for Consideration.
BY JAMES e. CHINN.

The plan of Chairman Norton OF
the House District Committee to ex-
pedite action on a number OF pending
bills failed today when only four
members attended the regular weekly
meeting. AS result, only two minor
measures were passed on favorably-
the Short bill to name one Of the new
thoroughfares in the Mall area Mis-
souri, avenue and the Brewster bill to
name another Maine avenue.
Chairman Norton, however, urged
Representative Palmisano, Democrat,
of Maryland. to give early consldera-
ton to the bill designed to tighten the
Districts gambling laws. This has
been languishing for several months
In the Judiciary Subcommittee, Whlcn
he heads. The measure passed the
Senate early in the current session OF
Congress.
Palmisano refused definitely to COM
init himself as to the fate OF the bill,
but said he might arrange to hold
public hearing on it at some future
time after the full committee passes
on the report of the Special Crime
Investigating Committee. incidentally,
he declared the measure had many
features which should be eliminated
features which proponents of the bill,
he said, now admit should be removed.
Hits Newspapers.
He also charged other provisions
could be eliminated if the Washington
newspapers would discontinue the
publication of racing charts and dis
charge special turf handicappers.
IF the newspapers would do that"
he declared, there woulo be no bet
ting on the races in Washington"
Mrs. Norton is particularly anxious
to have the committee pass on the
pending major bills without undue
delay. She fears Congress might sud-
denly decide to adjourn and leave
some important District legislation
over until the next session.
There are now IL District bills on
the House calendar awaiting action
on the next District day, the date OF
which is still problematical. Mrs.
Norton explained that if the House
passes the legislative appropriation
bill. which 1t is now debating, by to-
morrow afternoon, then it could de-
vote Friday to the District calendar.
Since that Is unlikely, in view OF the
unlimited debate on the legislative
supply measure, it will be impossible
for the District to have its day in
the House before Thursday, May %.
Byrns Doubtful.
After that explanation by Mrs. Nor
ton, however, Speaker Byrns an
nounced at his regular press confer
ence he did not believe, in view OF
the present legislative situation, that
the House could take up the District
calendar until May 27.
Last Monday was the regular DIS
trict day, but the District calendar
was sidetracked because of the alb
sence from Washington of Chairman
Norton and the desire of the House
to expedite action on the legislative
appropriation bill, the last of the
regular supply measures to come be-
fore Congress at the present session.
If District day is delayed until May
23 or May 27, 1t will be possible to add
several measures to the District cal
endar. Among these probably will be
bills to regulate the small loan busi-
ness and to make taxicab liability in
surance compulsory. Hearings on
both these measures are expected to
be completed before the regular
meeting of the District Committee
next Wednesday, and favorable ac-
ton at that time will place them on
the calendar Immediately.
Pension Action Sought.
Mrs. Norton said it is her intention
to call up first, when the House be-
gins consideration of District legis-
lation, her old-age pension bill. Next
she will ask for consideration of the
Ellenbogen unemployment compensa-
ton bill and other noncontroversial
measures. House passage of both the
old-age pension and unemployment
compensation bills is anticipated in
view of the recent approval of the ma
tional security bill.
While the District Committee meet
ing this morning was brief, 1t was en-
1ivened by Representative Quinn,
Democrat, of Pennsylvania. He wise
cracked repeatedly about the various
subjects which the committee will
have to discuss.
First Quinn remarked he did not
like to name thoroughfare in Wash
ington in honor of Missouri, because
mules came from that State. In a
brief discussion of the rent situation,
he said his rent was reasonable, but
he had fire engines running around
in every room" and that the landlord
had taken the paper off the wall in
his room to create space for his suit
case.
Finally, when he decided to leave.
he turned to the newspaper reporters
and quietly declared: II am going to
get out of here. The District Com
Ynittee hasn't done a damn thing. I
think it is unconscious"