Evening star., 1936-03-24
MRS. NORTON SEES
RENT CONTROL BILL
PASSAGE APRIL IS
BIanton and Taber Fill
busters Have Beneficial
Effect, Chairman Says.
BITTER HOUSE BATTLE
ENDS IN NEAR FIGHT
Schultz and Texan in Fiery Ex-
change Over Six Forced
Roll Calls.
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

BY JAMES E. CHINN.
A positive prediction that the House
will pass the Ellenbogen rent-control
bill on the next so-called District
day'-April 13-was made today by
Chairman Norton of the District Com
mittee.
Twice Mrs. Norton has been rebuffed
in her attempts to push the measure
through the House as result OF fill
busters, but she contends now that
the delay has been beneficial-that it
has served to muster sufficient sup
port to guarantee passage.
Two weeks ago when the bill was
called up on District day." Repre-
sentative Blanton. Democrat, of Texas.
aided by Representative Taber, Re-
publican, of New York, succeeded in
preventing action by filibustering tac-
tics. Again yesterday, on the final
District day" of the month, the same
pair scored another victory by the
same method, but in doing so forced
six roll calls. which kept House mem
bers in a frenzy, rushing back and
forth from the Office buildings to the
Capitol.
Roll Calls Cost 1924.
incidentally Mrs. Norton informed
the House that these roll calls, &C
cording to information furnished by
the Library of Congress, cost the coun-
trys taxpayers $3.324. The cost was
calculated on the basis of s54 a page
in the Congressional Record and the
time of members.
The latest battle over the bill was
more bitter than the first, and nearly
resulted in an old-fashioned punching
contest between Blanton and Repre-
sentative Schultz. husky Indiana
Democrat, who would weigh in at
about 2l0 pounds. Blanton's weight
is around ITO.
After the six roll calls Schultz took
the floor to eXcoriate Blanton and
Taber, who he charged had under
taken to "chastise" the House.
I'm not going to allow any one to
stand in my way. irrespective of who
he may be or what he is" Schultz
challenged.
Then he proceeded to tell the House
how the six roll calls had broken up
important committee meetings tempo
rarily while members scurried to the
chamber. and declared:
owing to the fact that one or two
men want to carry on filibuster in
opposition to District people who are
seeking relief from being gouged by
real estate men, I wonder If the sim
lister influences are working to the
best interests of these gentlemen"
Demands Words Be Recorded.
Blanton demanded that these words
of Schultz be taken down-a move
preliminary to having them expunged
from the record.
Schultz, still talking, walked toward
Blanton, who was seated in the Sec
ond row on the Democratic side OF
the House.
I'll put you down If you don't sit
down." shouted Blanton.
Schultz glared at the Texan and
started to climb over the back of the
front-row seats toward him, but he
changed his mind and sat down. Even
then words passed between the pair,
but they could not be clearly under
stood in the gallery. Schultz. how
ever. was overheard to invite Blanton
to join him in the lobby.
Blanton's move to have Schultz s
words expunged from the record was
unsuccessful. Speaker Byrns ruled
they were in order because no men,
Der had been mentioned by name, and
furthermore, he did not want to rec
ognize officially that there had been
filibuster.
O'Malley Joins Controversy.
In the midst of the excitement,
Representative O'Malley. Democrat, of
Wisconsin, also asked that Schulte's
words be taken down because he made
reference to Mrs. Norton's estimate of
the time wasted by filibusters. It was
O'Malley's contention that members
of the House are always on the job,
drawing salaries, whether they may
not actually be engaged in work.
That may be true of the gentle
man from Wisconsin" declared
Schultz. He may be here for the
purpose Of drawing his salary"
Actual consideration of the bill did
not start until $3.50 pm, three and
half hours after the House convened,
due to the filibustering tactics. At
that time Mrs. Norton was obviously
disguised. She took the floor and
said:
II regret more than I can say that
busy members have been brought in
here five times (another roll call fol-
lowed her remarks). I regret the time
it has taken.
ut doesn't seem quite fair to fill
buster a bill. 1t is quite all right to
debate a bill on its merits, and ]
deeply regret that fllibustering tao.
tics are continually employed on Dis
trict legislation. It doesn't seem fair
that the District committee has to
be treated in this fashion"
10000 Sign Petition.
A petition containing 10000 sigma
lures in support Of the bill was waved
before the House by Mrs. Norton. who
said she also had a long list Of griev-
ances from persons who claimed they
are being "gouged" by landlords.
In urging passage Of this BILL" she
declared, II am making plea for pro-
lection of the people of the District
against rent gougers. All we ask is
fair consideration Of this bill. In all
Justice and fairness let us have a fair
hearing"
Earlier. Mrs. Norton in an effort to
end the filibustering reached an agree