Evening star., 1937-02-10
Bates Produces Letter.


Bates Produces Letter.
Bates then waved letter which he
said was written him by the greatest
authority on horse racing in Massa-
Chusetts.
II would be glad to give you that
in confidence" he told Mrs. Norton.
sour experience is sad"
What about the proxy votes?"
asked Shafer.
Mrs. Norton explained it had been
the practice of the committee to ac-
cept proxies If they were not chal-
lenged.
Shafer then complained that the
new members Of the committee did
not have ample opportunity to study
the racing bill before it was reported
out.
Personally I think it was rail-
roaded," he declared.
II am sorry you feel that way about
It," Mrs. Norton remarked.
IF you feel that way, Id be willing
to bring the bill back to the COM
fnittee," interposed Representative
Palmisano. Democrat, of Maryland.
The new members" said Mrs.
Norton, should have some confidence
in the older members If you, Mr..
Bates, get every member of the COM
mittee here. I'll call that bill back.
But all 81 members must be here be-
fore I'll agree to have the bill recon-
ssidered"
Everybody knows what the racing
bill is" interrupted Representative
Wood, Democrat, of Missouri
IT object there" said Shafer.
'I don't know what it is" said
Bates. There's a lot of difference
between a proper and improper bill"
No Objection to Recalling Bill.
Palnisano reiterated he had no OBJ
lection to recalling the bill for amend
ment to meet any objections Of the
opponents. Mrs. Norton, however,
explained that the members would
have AL the opportunity in the world"
to amend the bill when it is called up
In the House.
I'VE should have the right to
amend it in committee" declared
Hull.
= "Mr. Hull, you did have that privi-
lege," Mrs. Norton replied. I'VE have
no railroading in this committee"
- Some member of this committee
Seemed to be desirous of pushing this
bill" Bates remarked.
Il resent that" Mrs. Norton fired.
"There has been no such desire. This
seen1s to me to be much ado about
nothing. There has been no railroad
ing Of this bill, and I fail to see why
we should get into such heat over it,"
THAT ended the discussion over the
racing bill, but the committee imme-
dtately engaged in another debate over
a measure introduced by Palmisano
which would prohibit the sale of beer
in bottles, cans or kegs that had not
been placed in the original containers
at the brewery.
Corporation Counsel Elwood Seal
was asked to comment on the bill.
He explained that he could not off,
ciallys make report until the meas
ure had passed first through various
channels-the Commissioners, the
Budget Bureau, the Vice President of
the United States and the Speaker Of
the House.
The committee members smiled.
Mrs. Norton then remarked:
This committee seems to be more
or less in a strait-jacket. I think
we will have to pass bill to give the
people of Washington a vote. It
seems that every one is trying to
throw a monkey wrench into every
thing we try to do. I am strong and
can stand it. But hope the mem
bers will support me when I bring in
bilf..to give the District the fran
cIaise."
."If we have to follow this policy
we might as well shut up the commit
tee" remarked Palmisano.
A general discussion of a proposal
that-tf1e committee give the Com
rniSSioners a maximum Of two weeks
IN which to report on District bills
followed. The committee deferred ac-
ton on the proposition, but reported
out Palmisano's bill favorably. despite
the lack of report as to whether the
Commissioners. Budget Bureau, the
Vice President and the Speaker Of the
House favor it or not.