Evening star., 1942-05-03
House 10 Get D. T..
$56, ,594,S4o Budget
Bill on tuesday
Prompt Passage Seen
Without Any Material
Changes in Measure
BY WILL p. KENNEDY.

The largest single appropriation
bill for the District ever presented
to Congress, the budget estimates
for which are s56,594,8 $40, will be
reported to the House on Tuesday
and taken up Immediately.
The measure, designed to afford
financial support to the Capital aid
to meet important burdens imposed
by war activities during the fiscal
year beginning July l, is expected
to pe passed promptly without any
material change from the form in
which it will be reported by the
District Committee.
Indications were given during the
hearings that the bill will contain
considerable appropriation not in
cluded in the budget estimates for
initiating system of physical train
ing to tougher youths here before
they are called into military service.
The system would be intended as a
model for the Nation.
Two Other Measures.
Two other pieces of important
local legislation are to be consid-
cred by the District Committee the
latter part of the week-the new So
called "blackout bill" requested by
the District Commissioners and
sponsored by Chairman Randolph,
which would give them power to
seize private property for defense
purposes, and the rooming house
bill
Chairman Randolph has been de-
laying hearing on both these con-
| troversial measures awaiting the
convenience of the Commissioners.
Several leading House members
have been scrutinizing closely the
''blackout" bill and have indicated
that they will oppose it because of
its drastic provisions, which they
say exceed the right of eminent
domain so jealousy guarded as an
exclusive right of the Federal Gov
ernment."
| This measure authorizes an addi-
tional appropriation of 100000 for
civilian defense activities in the
District. District Committee men,
bers are prepared to question the
Commissioners on the need for die
tatorial powers" which they say are
granted in the bill
Broad Provisions.
1t carries a broad provision that
during the existence of a state OF
war, the Commissioners are au-
thorized and empowered, without
regard to the provisions of any other
law, TO take such measures as they
deem necessary for the adequate
protection of persons and property
and to make such orders as they
deem necessary with no limit set.
1t would permit the Commission
ers to "requisition, enter upon, take
possession of and use private prop
erty of every kind and nature and
in the event that the Just compen-
sation" they propose is not satisfac-
tory to the owner, they may never
theless use it Immediately and t6
pay so per cent of the determined
value. The owner would have the
right to sue. 1t would also relieve
the Commissioners or any agent
from any liability TO any person vol
unteering for defense duties fol
damage that may be sustained by
such civilian volunteer arising out
of such service.
The other bill to be considered
is also highly controversial, Chair.
man Randolph emphasizes. Thi.
would permit operation of roomint
and boarding houses in restricted
residential sections of the city. Va.
rious organizations of citizens hav.
registered their opposition to thi
measure, said to be designed to re.
lieve the acute housing shortage.