Evening star., 1946-04-06
District Supply Bill
Goes 10 Senate After
Race Clause Is Beaten

Race Clause Is Beaten
The s72,5S5,OOO District appro-
priations bill for 1947 bore the
approval of the House today
after an amendment by Repre-
sentative Powell, Democrat, o1
New York to withhold funds
from any agency which allows
racial segregation had been de-
feated 122 to 40 following sharp
debate late yesterday.
The measure now goes to the
Senate.
The House rejected by an over
whelming voice vote a last-minute
motion by Representative Taber
ranking Republican member of the
Appropriations Committee, to re-
commit the bill to the committee
with instructions to reduce its allot-
ment by $1,000,000. The bill then
was approved without audible oppo-
sitior1.
The total voted by the House rep
resented cut made by an appro-
priations subcommittee of nearly
S9,000,000 from the budget sent to
Congress by President Truman and
the Budget Bureau The subcom-
mittee explained that it trimmed the
estimates for projects and employees
because of the financial crisis which
the District government will face
next year.
The Appropriations Committee
also had agreed to provision de-
nying free tuition to school children
living in Maryland or Virginia or
anywhere outside the District. This
limitation, however, does not apply
to students enrolled in District
schools at the time the act is ap-
proved.
Urge Boost in U. S. Payment.
Both Chairman Coffee of the Ap-
preparations subcommittee on the
District and Representative Stefan,
Republican, of Nebraska, ranking
Republican member, told the House
the present Federal contribution of
S6,000,000 year toward the Dis
trict's expenses, was unfair to the
taxpayers of Washington. They
said it was out of proportion to the
services which the Federal Govern
ment receives in the Capital and
the space it occupies.
They urged that the Federal ap-
preparation be increased and ex-
pressed hope that the House District
Committee, the proper legislative
agency, would consider such an
authorization soon.
Most of the debate over the bill
was stirred by Mr.. Powell's racial
segregation amendment.
Representative Forand, Democrat,
of Rhode Island, presiding over the
House during consideration of the
bill, overruled point of order
against this amendment urged by
Mr.. Coffee, Representatives Rankin,
Democrat, of Mississippi; Smith,
Democrat, of Virginia, and others.
They contended the amendment
was legislation imposed on an ap-
preparations bill, prohibited by
House rules, and also might increase
expenditures without authorization
Argued Its Merits.
Mr.. Forand held it was a valid
amendment and it then was argued
on its merits.
Mr.. Powell's amendment would
houa yifh1,a1I ro
partment or agency of the District
government which segregates by
race, creed or national origin citi-
zens employed by it or using its
services or facilities. VI.
Mr. Powell denied that this would
interfere with sectional customs or
prejudices. 1t is up to any State to
handle this matter as it chooses, he
contended, but the District of
Columbia cannot be considered a
region, since it represents every
element in the country. He main
tanned it should live up to the
highest ideals of the Constitution
and democracy.
Mr. Rankin argued that the
amendment would destroy the
school system of the District and
stir up racial trouble. He charged
that it was inspired by Communistic
influences.
Supporting the amendment, Rep
resentative Marcantonio. American
Labor, New York. said Washington
was the Capital of the whole coun-
try and should represent all its
citizens. 1t should be, he said, an
example of "the fundamental pre-
cepts of democracy"
Beaten on Teller Vote.
The amendment also was sup
ported by Representative De Lacy
Democrat, of Washington, and Bic
miller, Democrat, of Wisconsin. 1t
was defeated on teller vote.
Another amendment by Mr.. Ste
fan which was adopted quickly
struck out long-controversial item
which the Appropriations Commit
tee had written into the bill pro-
hibiting the District government
from spending any money to test
maerials in the Highway Depart
ment laboratory. The effect of the
amendment was to restore this right
Mr.. Stefan explained that the
laboratory was built in 1884 at a
cost of 100000 and since then had
been operated by the Bureau of
Standards. He estimated that it's use
by the District would save consider
able money.
The Coffee Subcommittee left out
the restriction against using this
laboratory, but the full committee
restored it. 1t was deleted without
debate
Stefan Explains Tuition Clause.
Afterward, Mr.. Stefan told report
ers he thought the provision ex-
cluded nonresident children from
free school instruction would save
the District from $500 900 to S4O0 00(
year. He said the committee wrote
1t into the bill at the last minute.
Even with the deletions adopted
by the House, the District bulge,
for 1947 would be higher by Sc, 200 ,O44
fhoyo tho 1obc