Evening star., 1936-05-27
BUT THOMAS SAYS
CHANCE REMAINS
TO REACH TRUCE
Course Planned intended to
Meet Operating Expense
During Dispute.
CONFEREES TO MEET
AGAIN TOMORROW
Neither Group Indicates Willing.
ness to Revise Appropria-
ton Stand.

A continuing resolution embodying
the present Federal payment of $5,-
100000 probably will be reported to
the Senate by its conferees as the
next development in the consideration
of the pending District appropriation
bill If the meeting scheduled with
House members for tomorrow again
fails to bring about an agreement.
This was indicated today by Senator
Thomas, Democrat, of Oklahoma,
chairman of the Senate group, but he
added he is not convinced yet that
there is no chance for agreement on
the bill.
Although the House voted yesterday
to instruct its conferees to adhere to
the House lump sum of s2,70o, 900, all
indications today were that this devel-
opment has not shaken the belief OF
Senate conferees that Congress should
follow the recommendation Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt for continuation OF the
Federal share of maintaining the Ma
tional Capital next year at the pres
ent figure of $5,700,000.
A continuing resolution is intended
to meet the bare operating expenses
of the city, without new construction
projects, and is resorted to only when
conferees are unable to settle their
differences on a bill.
The House conference managers,
reinforced with instructions urged by
Representative Blanton, Democrat. OF
Texas not to yield any ground what
ever to the Senate conferees on the
three points in serious controversy,
will 90 into the conference more hope
full than ever of victory. The Senate
group, however, has shown no indie
cation of weakening, and as a result
continuation Of the impasse seems
inevitable.
The chief point of difference is the
amount the Federal Government
should pay toward the expenses Of
the District.
Character Education" Issue. <
The second vital issue to be
thrashed out is whether the bill
should carry an appropriation of s7S,-
$50 for continuation of the "charac.
ter education" experiment in the pub.
lie schools. This item was written
into the bill in the Senate, and the
House conferees were instructed to
insist on its elimination.
The third outstanding point in dis
agreement is the pet" provision Of
Blanton. acting chairman of the
House Conference Committee, which
would prevent District employees whose
salaries are s2400 a year or more
| from engaging in outside" work. The
provision, which is aimed primarily
at judges of the various courts and
members of the staff of the corpora
ton counsels office who teach law
classes at night, was eliminated from
the House bill in the Senate. The
House conferees are under instruc-
tions to fight to restore that provision.
The House conferees were unex-
pectedly given these instructions yes
| terday on a motion of highest priv.
ilege" by Blanton. Before the vote
was taken, the Texan spent about Is
minutes repeating his customary story
about the benefits" bestowed on the
residents Of the District because they
live in the Capital City. He insisted.
as he has done many times before,
that the tax rate is low, that the
taxpayers do not pay a cent for shade
trees, etc., that water rates are low,
and that the gasoline and automobile
license fees are far out of line with
those in nearby States.
Separate Votes on Items.
Each of the three items on which
the House conferees had failed to
agree in conference was voted on
separately at the insistence of Minor
ity Leader Smell.
Representative Clifford. Republican,
Of Massachusetts,, several times inter-
rupted Blanton to inquire If he had
not been "irked" by what the news
papers had published about him.
THE newspapers have no effect on
me-" he shouted.
Representative Michener, Repub-
lican, of Michigan, criticized Blanton
for advancing the same arguments
about the District fiscal situation on
the floor of the House and In the
Congressional Record.
Great Caesar" he shouted, we've
heard that time after time and day
after day. I hope the Speaker will
give us time to vote for constructive
Ghings."