The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1949-01-20
Along the Potomac
to Washington
Bv !. Glenn BealI

me SISt Congress really mas Deell
busy proposing-if not disposing-
during its first fortnight in session
So far, some 1900 bills and resolu-
tions have been introduced in the
House of Representatives and close to
$50 have been tossed into the Senate
hopper. This probably is a record
number of individual bills and resolu-
tions for such brief period, although
no one can be too sure.
The number Of bills and resolutions
indicates the seriousness with which
congressman are viewing our local,
national and international problems.
Old-timers in Washington say that
every incoming Congress, whether Re
publican or Democrat, is showing a
new awareness of the needs and wish
es, the hopes and fears of the people.
No one knows who has introduced
the most bills, and the point isn't too
important, but there have been an
average of about four bills per legis-
lator introduced in both Houses of
Congress since January 3.
Committee sessions are going to be
both long and interesting this year.
That is where the vast majority Of
the legislative work Of Congress is
done, for only limited number of bills
can be brought onto the floor of the
House or Senate (regardless of what
ever changes are made in rules pro-
cedurel The time element alone pre-
vents specific consideration Of all the
proposals made by 531 Congressman
in the course of year.
A Congressional committee, CON
trary to opinion in some quarters,
does not exist to kill" legislation
before it can be considered by the
full House or Senate. The men in the
various committees must study thor
oughly every single bill or resolution
introduced, determine its constitutions
atty, its feasibility, its purposes,
whether or not is conflicts with, OF
overlaps, laws already in existence,
or which particular bills shall be Civ
en- priority. As many as 10 or II Con-
gressmen, as individuals, sometimes
introduce the same legislation in al
most similar words. Naturally, every
single one of these bills can't be con-
sidered by the Congress as a whole. 1t
would be farcicaI But committees
have the task of wedding out" these
and other bills and seeing to it that
only the most apropos, the most sensi-
bic, and the most pressing actually
are put on the Congressional agenda
for action.
Your Congressman is proud to have
been assigned again to the House
Committee on the District of Column
bia, popularity known as the House
District Affairs Committee.
This committee, which passes on
legislation of direct interest to the
million residents of Greater Wash
ington ami Of indirect interest 10
many residents of Maryland, already
has its share Of problems to consider.
The Senate has cleared the way for
action on a flat pay raise for en-
ployees of the District of Columbia
government, which will affect many
Marylanders, and no doubt the House
will consider this important legisla-
ton at an early date
Under The Dome
| protested the proposal that the
Maritime Commission install dry
docks at the location of its laid up
fleets. | am very much opposed to the
government going into competition
with private business and mean to
oppose such measures.
| have received many letters rela-
tive to more liberal nstallment
terms in connection with the sale of
automobiles. | have contacted the Fed
eral Reserve Board relative to this
matters which is known as Regulation
W. | have been advised that the Board
is studying the whole situation and
as yet no decision has been reached.