Evening star., 1937-06-27
Jesse C. SITTER.

" VENTFUL from a civic view
L. point was last week. Few
weeks have crowded within
~ them so many matters Of
vital interest to the voteless and
unrepresented citizens Of the Dis
trict of Columbia AS a matter OF
fact public utility matters really
had the edge on other civic mat
ters for the affairs of the Capital
at the District Building and on
Capitol Hill. The hearing in the
rate and valuation proceedings con-
tinued before the Public Utilities
Commission and an inquiry was
also started by subcommittee Of
the House District Committee un-
der the craftsmanship of Repre-
sentative Jennings Randolph.
Democrat, OF West Virginia.
The conferees on the District
OF Columbia appropriation bill
reached an agreement late on
Thursday fixing the amount car
ried by the bill at $45.9l5, ,000
Among the items dropped was that
to begin construction of the John
Philip Sousa Bridge. Sick leave
is to be restored to per diem en-
ployes and the medical charities
OF the District are to be trans
ferred from the Board OF Public
Welfare to the Health Department.
Hearings are expected TO start
tomorrow before the Senate Dis
trict Committee on the omnibus
revenue bill. The committee now
knowing the amount carried by
the appropriation bill finds that
the anticipated deficiency in Dis
trict revenues will fall we'll below
S7,0OO,OOO and are in a better po-
sition to pass on the revenue meas
ure. Chairman King has an
nounced his intention OF hearing
from the citizen representatives be-
fore hearing the District Comms-
sioners. Another gratifying word
from Senator King is that he re-
CARDS the pending revenue bill only
an emergency measure for the
present years emergency. 1t has
not been indicated whether the bill
will be amended by the committee
to limit it one year.
Our good friend, Representative
Nf
jersey, was elected chairman OF
the Committee on Labor Of the
House Of Representatives and re-
tired from the Craftsmanship OF
the Committee on the District Of
Columbia. Representative Vincent
L. Palmisano. Democrat. of Balti-
more, Md, the ranking majority
member of the committee, has as
sumed the Craftsmanship and is
expected to be elected to this post.
While Mr.. Palmisano has been
member of the committee for some
wears, he Is not widely known in
local civic circles. Civic leaders are
expressing the hope that he will
get the point of view of his voteless
and unrepresented involuntary
constituents, and be truly their
friend and defender-they need
Just such a friend.
The abattoir bill hearing was
concluded by the House District
Committee and an adjournment
taken to visit the site of the Ben.
ming plant before reporting the
bill This bill, it will be recalled,
Is aimed at the establishment and
operation in the District of nui-
sance industries. The bill was pre-
viously reported favorably by the
committee, but recommitted for
hearings.
The public defender bill had
hearing before another House sub
committee during the week, but no
conclusion announced. Representa-
tive Kennedy, Democrat, of Mary
land has announced that he will
shortly introduce bill providing
for some changes in the local gov
eminent. Among these will be the
creation Of an advisory city coun-
Gil of five members to be appoint
ed by the President and confirmed
by the Senate. A rent control bill
Is also on Kennedy's program.
1t is currently reported that the
Airport Commission has at last
agreed upon site and will prob
ably report during the week. The
location Is understood to be at
Camp Springs, Prince Georges
County, Md, and is about IL miles
from the heart of the city of Wash
ington. An airport of ample size
can be located here on ground re-
quiring a minimum of grading and
high above possibility of food and
free from fogs.