Evening star., 1943-10-26

Legislators thanked
By Mccormack for
Cooperation on Bills
Assurances that members of the
House stand ready to give prompt
consideration to legislation needed
by the District were voiced yesterday
by Majority Leader Mccormack as
the House quickly passed four Dis
trict bills.
May observe" Mr.. Mccormack
said, that the Committee on the
District of Columbia has been given
every opportunity to bring up legis-
lation as quickly as possible after it
Is reported out of the committee.
The leadership on both sides of the
aisle has co-operated to the fullest
extent possible with the chairman
and the members of the Committee
on the District of Columbia in see
ing that legislation reported out re-
ceived prompt consideration.
"As matter Of fact, the leader
ship has enabled the legislation to
be brought up where it has been re-
ported out unanimously without
the committees being compelled to
wait until the regular District of
Columbia day. Further, I think the
business in order on District of Co.
lumbia day has been dispensed with
as little delay during the last two
or three years as during any similar
period.
"ShOuld Have Confidence"
THE leadership on both sides
recognizes that while we are men,
bers of Congress we are also men,
bers Of the legislative body of the
District Of Columbia and that that
Is quite a serious trust. We want
to see that the people Of the Dis
trict receive as prompt considera-
ton in the passage of legislation
as possible. We want the Con-
gress and the legislative body of
the District to convey to the people
of the District of Columbia and
the city of Washington that knowl-
edge so that they may have conf
dence in the fact that Congress as
legislative body is legislating as
quickly as possible.
THE chairman of the committee
and all Of the members are aware
OF that fact. The condition will
continue as long as l am leader.
but am very much concerned about
the constant tendency and effort
on the part of some individuals,
and particularly one of your news
papers-and I speak frankly and
impersonally-to bring about mis-
understanding between the people
Of the District and members of
Congress.
I'VE should have confidence in one
another and respect for one another.
l think that instead of trying to
bring misunderstanding that they
should attempt to bring about a
feeling Of confidence and under
standing. Certainly the Congress,
during the last three years, and I
am combining myself to that period
only, has done everything in its
power to convey to the people of the
District of Columbia the fact that
we recognize our trust and are leg
lslating just as quickly as is humanlv
possible, even not compelling the
committee to wait until its regular
District day, in order to get legisla-
ton through which relates to the
District.
Congratulates Committee.
Il think it is only fair to make
these observations so that in the
future. instead of trying to bring
about feeling of misunderstanding
that feeling of confidence and un-
derstandlng, which the action of the
members of Congress justifies, be a
better course to pursue"
Later Mr.. Mccormack said he be-
lieved the House District Committee
had done "a wonderful job"
Chairman Randolph Of the House
District Committee said both House
Democrats and Republicans had CO.
operated "in every way" with the
District Committee.
Title Law Changed.
One of the four approved meas
ures provides a system for clear
ing the title to District prop
critics sold at the annual tax deed
auctions for nonpayment of taxes
This was described as desirable. but
Mr.. Randolph and Represent
ative Dirksen, Republican, of Illi-
nois both voiced dislike for the tax
auction sales. The latter called the
practice archaic" He explained
that tax deed brokers come to the
sales from other States and bid on
the better properties. leaving the
District to bid in the cats and
dogs"
The purpose of the amendment
was to provide for removing the
tax deed cloud" from the title to
a property if the purchaser of the
tax deed fails to obtain a fee sim
pie title. This can be done row
only through legal proceedings. The
new measure provides this may be
done after five years by the owner
paying the back taxes, plus interest
for the first two years. at II per
i've in Schools