Evening star., 1941-05-05
Randolph Asks
Aid in 0verton
Bill Fight
BoIIes May Oppose
Measure, He Says
In Reply to Plea
BY JAMES E. CHM.

by JAMES r. CHlNN.
An appeal was made to members
of the House District Committee
today by Chairman Randolph to
give him utmost support in seeking
House approval of the Overton bill
containing a formula for fixing the
amount of the annual Federal pay
ment toward municipal expenses
here.
The measure, which would fix the
Federal share on the basis of the
ratio of Government-owned tax
exempt acreage, after certain de-
ductions, to the total land area, is
scheduled to be called up in the
House next Monday.
Adoption of this plan, it is esti-
mated, would raise the present
Federal payment from $4,000 900 to
approximately $1,000 900 in the fiscal
year beginning July l.
Mr.. Randolph made his plea for
help at the regular weekly meeting
of the committee. After brief dis
cussion of the Districts urgent need
for additional revenue to meet
emergency expenses resulting from
the rapid expansion of the city, the
chairman said:
Il don't know how many members
feel like going TO bat on the Over
ton bill, but we need the support
on the floor of every member We
must be prepared to fight the best
we can"
Bolles Thinks He Will Oppose Bill.
Mr.. Randolph turned to Repre-
sentative Bolles, Republican, of Wis
consin and suggested that he take
lead in aiding him in the antici-
pated battle on the House floor.
II think" remarked Mr.. Bolles,
that I'm going to oppose the bill"
Representative Russell, Democrat,
Of Texas said approval of the Over
ton formula by the House doesn't
look very promising"
The Senate unanimously passed
the Overton bill a month ago.
Il am not very happy over the
prospects for House approval of the
BILL Mr.. Russell added. Il think we
had better 90 prepared to hedge.
II 1t fails 1 believe we should have
some other plan to offer for the re-
lief of the District"
Reminded of McGehee's Threat.
Chairman Randolph reminded
him that Representative McGehee,
Democrat, Of Mississippi, another
committee member, already had
threatened to offer an amendment
which would substitute for the Over.
ton formula a fixed Federal pay
ment of s7,50O,000 a year, for the
next five fiscal years.
Preceding discussion of the Over
ton bill, the committee ordered
favorable reports on four relatively
minor measures which will be placed
on the House calendar in time for
/ consideration next Monday, the first
| District day of the month. Two Of
them are designed to give the Board
| OF Public Welfare increased au-
thority to provide more adequately
for the home care of dependent
children and to bring the local child
aid law into conformity with ma
tional social security laws. The
others would:
l. Authorize the Federal security
administrator to accept gifts for ST..
Ellzabeth's Hospital.
2. Authorize admission to st. Eliza
beth's Hospital of foreign service
officers of the United States who
are adjudged insane in foreign coun-
| tries and have no established legal
residence in this country.
Two Bills Delayed.
Action on two bills reported fav-
orably by subcommittee last week
was delayed until next Monday.
One would regulate the small-loan
business here and fix an interest
rate of Q per cent month on all
loans Of $500 or less. The other
would establish an accident-pre-
vention board with a view to reduc-
ing industrial accidents
Representative Sauthoff. Progress
sive, of Wisconsin urged early action
on the proposed small-loan legisla-
! ton.
There should be as little delay as
possible in removing the intolereable
| conditions that exist" he declared.
Washington I. Cleveland, presi-
dent of the Washington Safety
Council, told the committee the
type of legislation embodied in
the neutrality-suspicious. board bill
is badly needed"
Representative BolleS declared he
believed additional laws are needed
for protection of the industrial
workers here, particularly those en-
ployed in print shops.