Evening star., 1947-03-09
Mason and McGrath
Al Odds On Need oI
Daylight Time Law

Two prominent lawyers. are al
odds in friendly fashion ovel
whether the Commissioners now
have authority to put daylight saw
ing time in effect here.
One is Senator McGrath, Demo-
crat, of Rhode Island, a former
Solicitor General of the United
States. The other is Commissioner
Guy Mason, who practiced law for
many years before becoming a COM
missioner.
Senator McGrath has introduced
a bill which would give the Com
missioners specific authority tc
make the time change official here
during the warm months.
At q mass meeting Friday, how
ever, he declared some very sue
stantial lawyers" believe a newalaw
is not necessary.
lin Has Restrictienss
r 81. e D.
z. He Indicated he was inclined tc
this view, but was sponsoring bill
to make the Commissioners author
ity certain. In fact he said, per-
haps the only purpose his bill would
serve, If enacted, would be to re-
strict the Commissioners. He ex-
planned he had included a limita-
ton which would prevent over-en-
thusiastic Commissions from max
ing daylight saving time a year.
around policy here.
Senator McGrath said the time
change had been instituted in Chi
cago under health powers Of local
authorities. There seems to be a
similar basis in the District Code;
he suggested. He quoted Title I
Section 226:
"The Commissioners of the Dis
trict Of Columbia are hereby author
lied and empowered to make and
enforce all such reasonable and
usual police regulations in addition
to those already made . as they
may deem necessary for the protec-
ton of lives, limbs, health, comfort
and quiet of all persons and the
protection of all property within the
District of Columbia. =
Police Regulation Doubted.
Commissioner Mason had a forth.
right appraisal of this Interpretation
when questioned yesterday.
"If daylight saving time is a po.
lice regulation, then I'm BABE
Ruth" he declared.
He hastened to emphasize hi
high personal esteem" for Senator
McGrath. He said the word "com'
fort" in the code section might bt
stretched to cover a time change bu
argued this presupposes an ordel
making it effective as a police regu'
lation.
Mr.. Mason made plain he coult
not stretch his Imagination to &C.
commodate this theory.
He added his personal approval o.
daylight saving time and recalled
the Commissioners went on recort
last year as being agreeable to it
use here sif the people want it."
Not Sure Of Support. :
Mr.. Mason added he still was no
sure the people want it.
Meanwhile, the Board Of Trad,
made public preliminary summar.
of questionnaires filled out by per
sons attending the mass meeting
held in the United States Chambe
of Commerce Building under aus
pices of the board and the JUNO
Board of Commerce.
1t revealed 81 organizations ant
major businesses favored the Nc
Grath bill. The summary showet
IS of these proponents were pre-
pared to be present at any hearing
which might be called by Congress
sional committees considering tn,
measure.
Senators to Discuss Issue.
A subcommittee of the Senata
District Committee will discuss tn,
matter at 10 am. tomorrow.
In addition to those represented
by speakers, the following groups
were among those supporting thu
time change, according to the Boart
of Trade:
Laundry, Cleaners and Linen Sup.
ply Associations, keystone Automo'
bile Club, Washington Real Estat,
Board, Lions Club, Corinthian Yach,
Club, Aero Club of Washington
Washington Building Congress, AL.
exandria Chamber of Commerce
Radio Stations WMAL and WWDC
Phillips Packing Co, Inc. and w
and J. Sloane, Inc.
Also, the Metropolis View, Con.
necticut Avenue. Fort Davis, Wash.
tington Highlands. Georgetown, Nv.
City, RandIe Highlands, Mid Cit,
and Southwest Citizens Associa.
tions; the Northeast Council ant
THE H. D. Cooke Parent Teacher As
lsociation.