Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-05-22

rounds the bill. 1t was pointed out
yesterday by one Of the Senate con-
feres, however, that the Blanton reso-
luton is not in reality q continuing
resolution. but merely another appro-
priation bill, because it changes ex-
isting appropriations in three par
ticulars, whereas a continuing reso-
luton Is presumed to carry on ex-
listing maintenance appropriations into
new fiscal year without any new
construction projects.
Senator Thomas suggested that II
the deadlock is not broken the ad-
ministration may have to consider
allocating emergency relief funds to
run the city after July l, which would
leave the House in the position OF
placing the government Of the Ma
tons Capital on relief.
Chairman Thomas takes the view
that. since this is the Federal City.
governed by Commissioners who are
appointed by the President, that the
party in power is responsible for the
continued operation Of the municipal
government.
The Senate conferees are standing
firmly by the budget figure of $780,
900. because it was the President s
recommendation.
Willing to Add 100000.
In the pending bill the House is
seeking to slash 100000 from the
Presidents budget message, which
would bring it down to $2,7o0, 900. In
the conference yesterday the only
concession which the House members
are understood to have offered on the
lump sum was to add 100000 to the
House figures. which would still mean
a cut of $780, 900 below the current
year.
The House conferees are understood
to have offered to yield on all other
Senate amendments, If the Senate
would yield on three questions. name
ly, the Federal payment, character
education and the restriction on out
side employment of District officials.
Although there are technically "a
other amendments, good many OF
them are merely REMEMBERING Of para
graphs. The three items the House
Is holding out for are the chief points
of controversy. 1t is believed the other
two could be adjusted II the House
would agree to the Senate lump-sum
figure.
The Senate conferees are fighting
not only to sustain the Presidents
budget message, but also for the prin-
ciple that the Senate is an integral
part Of the law-making body and
should not be required to yield always
to the House on this basic issue Of
fiscal relations.
In further support Of the Senate's
position, Chairman Thomas pointed
out that unrepealed substantive law
still requires the Federal Government
to meet 40 per cent Of the District
appropriation bill. The House for II
years has departed from this law by
fixing an annual lump-sum payment
and even II the $500 900 budget fig-
ure is agreed upon 1t would be eQuiva-
lent to less than IA per cent Of the
s43, 000, 900 pending bill. This would
still leave the local community meet
ing 86 per cent of the cost of main-
tanning the National Capital.
Hope to Adjourn June 6.
No further conferences are likely
for several days, but with congress-
ional leaders hoping to adjourn by
June 6, the controversy over the local
supply bill may come to head next
week.
II all other essential business Is
disposed of during the first week In
June 1t Is believed administration
leaders will take steps to bring about
an agreement on the local supply bill,
with the odds favoring the Senate's
position.
The present situation is not with
out precedent, and, If history repeats
itself, the Senate is likely to be sus-
tanned. In the Summer of 1918, dur
ing the World War, Congress ran
into the month of July with the Dis
trict appropriation bill still deadlocked.
At that time the House was fighting
to destroy the half-and-half principle,
which had prevailed for nearly half
q century. A continuing resolution
was passed for July and August, but,
unlike the pending Blanton resolution,
it continued the half-and-haf rule
until Congress should settle its differ
ences. Returning after o brief recess,
that Congress. In August, finally
agreed on the District bill. with the
half-and-half principle intact.
House Writes Bill Down.
Again, In 1880. after the lump sum
practice had started, the conferees
became deadlocked over how much 1t
should be, and the House brought out
q continuing resolution. Former Sena.
tor Bingham, Republican, Of Connec-
ticut. had the resolution amended
by substituting the bill, which put
the situation right where Il had been
prior to the resolution. With all other
business completed, Congress was
ready to adjourn, and q last-minute
agreement was reached on the Dis
tnct bill, under which the lump sum
was raised from 100000 to $780,
600. This, incidentally. was the only
occasion In the IL years Of lump sum
practice that the Senate ever OBJ