Evening star., 1943-11-22
Measure 10 End
Boundary Fight
Is Reported Out
Action Delayed on
Move to Reorgonize
Boxing Commission
By DON S. WARREN.

BY DON S. WARREN.
Paving the way for congressional
action to end the ancient District
Virginia boundary dispute, which
was accentuated with construction
Of the Washington Airport and the
Pentagon, the House District Com
mittee today ordered a favorable re-
port on the Randolph bill.
Generally speaking, this would
make the present high-water mark
the official boundary and reserve
to the United States concurrent
jurisdiction over mo mans land"
areas which are ceded back to Vir-
ginia. The latter Is designed to
resolve doubts as to jurisdiction OF
the courts.
In another action today, the Dis
trict Committee accepted formally
the lengthy report of the D'Alesan-
dro Public Health Subcommittee on
its detailed investigation of health,
housing and other matters, but it
was explained this called for no
further action by the committee at
this time.
Also, committee members planned
formal hearings on the Hebert bill
to grant additional powers to the
District Commissioners over the
normal routine operation of the
government. A special
session Of the group will be called
for this purpose, at an early date to
be set by Chairman Randolph.
Auto Permits Bill Favored.
Favorable reports also were or
dered on the bill to authorize men,
bers OF the armed services to use for
the duration their automobile per-
mits, which have expired or will ex-
pire; and to authorize the May
flower Hotel to construct steam
pipes under DeSales street NV.
Demands by Representative Rowe
of Ohio that wrestling
be put under regulation by the Dis
trict, caused an unexpected delay in
action by the committee on the bill
Of Representative Harris. Democrat,
Of Arkansas to reorganize the Dis
trict Boxing Commission. The bill
would pay its members 81 800 a year
and put a limit Of $4,000 on the size
Of the trust fund the commission
may keep for It's own uses. Any sur
plus at the end of fiscal year would
go to the District government.
When Representatives Hebert and
Feighan joined with Mr.. Rowe in
wrestling should be regu-
lated. Chairman Randolph regret
fully" suggested the Harris bill go
over. Early action was promised,
however. Mr.. Harris at once asked
Counsel Richmond B.
Keech to draft suitable additions or
to the bill, and indi-
Gated hearings would be called soon.
Keech Seeks Prompt Action. &
Mr.. Keech. pleading for prompt
action on the Harris bill, said the
District now was sitting on the top
of the teakettle" because the Gen.
sral Accounting once had ques-
TONED the right of the Boxing Com
under the old law, to charge
a gate tax of 10 per cent. Asking
that the wrestling question be
treated separately. he said the sports
writer's have contended wrestling
bouts constitute a 'burlesque" show
instead OF an athletic or sports
contest.
1t was agreed that at the forth
coming hearings on broadened bill
the sports writers and others famil-
lar with wrestling be invited to
appear and testify.
Mr.. Rowe and others insisted there
should be control If the public is to
be charged for admission to wres-
tling exhibitions.
Harris Opposes Delay.
Mr.. Harris, chairman of the Sub
committee on Parks and Recreation,
was not opposed to considering a
control of wrestling, but deplored
any delay on boxing reforms.
When this question was referred
to my committee the question of
was not mentioned" he
said. Il sincerely hope if there are
any other questions to be brought
up they will be listed now-not
later"
On the boundary question, the
committee left for possible future
consideration suggestion from the
Mayor of Alexandria for certain ex-
ceptions as to Alexandria after a
plea for speedy action was made by
N. A. Townsend. a special assistant
to the Attorney General. He brought
out that the Virginia Legislature al
ready has passed necessary legisla-
ton to motivate the plan as it now
stands and that an amendment of
the bill would mean further action
would have to be taken by Virginia
He explained subsequent action as
to Alexandria could be taken, If
found necessary.
While discussion Of the need for
powers for the Commits
sioners was brief, there were indi-
SoeAoAio VIC COllAAuCOCC WILL lIlONC
soon for action. Chairman Randolph
voised full agreement with the views
voiced Saturday by Chairman Nc
Gehee of the Judiciary Committee
that Congress is wasting too much
time and money in considering rou-
tine matters that should be left to
the Commissioners.
Under the present law, how
ever,' he said, there is no other
agency to handle these matters but
Congress- He referred to his bill
to permit the Mayfower Hotel to
lay steam pipes under. .DeSales street
and to the naming Of streets.
Mr.. Hebert declared the question
was a vital" one especially so in
when members and COM
of Congress have SO many
problems demanding action. He
asked that the subject be delayed
only to permit its consideration at
a special meeting of the full COM