Evening star., 1949-10-05
D. {. Unit Again
Baked on Bills
By Late Quorum
Nicely Plans Third
Meeting in Fight
To Sturt on Time
By HoroId B. Rogers

Frustrated in two previous at
temps to get Senate District Com
mittee meetings started precisely
on time, Committee Chairman
Nicely plans to begin new attempts
tomorrow.
No definite time was fixed for
the next meeting. after the West
Virginia Democrat called off one
yesterday afternoon. Only six
members, one short of a quorum.
had showed up at $3.50 pm. the
scheduled time.
But the Senator. determined to
begin business promptly. an
nounced he will begin tomorrow
calling a session for some specified
time, every four hours if nee
eSSary."
Several District bills are pend
ing before the committee. includ-
ing one to add three more Mu-
nicipal Judges to Municipal Court.
Senator Johnston, Democrat, OF
South Carolina. selected to head
the Judiciary Subcommittee was
ready to bring up an amended bill
in an effort to speed action by
Congress before the anticipated
adjournment.
Johnston Hopeful.
Discussions on the legislation
have been held between Senator
Johnston and members of the
House District Committee han
ding a similar bill. now awaiting
action on the House calendar.
I'VE can work out some kind OF
a bill" Senator Johnston told the
press after the meeting was post
poned. Il hope it will go to the
President before Congress quits
These three more judges are
needed"
Senator Nicely explained, after
the adjournment, that he fully
realized the Importance OF legls-
lation pending before the COM
mittee. But he insists meetings
start on schedule.
Difference of opinion over the
new policy of Chairman Nicely was
apparent after the second sur
prising adjournment yesterday
Some Senators approved the plan
as a time e-saver, while others ap-
parently resented the move.
The scene in the District Com
mittee room yesterday afternoon
was strikingly similar to the one
last Wednesday, when for the first
time Senator Nicely abruptly called
OF the meeting four minutes after
the appointed hour.
Five members were present last
Wednesday. Six were on hand
yesterday, when at 1888 pm. the
chairman adjourned the session.
Days Agenda Mapped.
First to show up for the session
yesterday was Senator Margaret
Chase Smith. Republican. OF
Maine, at 1924 pm. Next were
Senators Johnston, Nicely. Hunt,
Democrat, of Wyoming; Hendrick-
son, Republican, of New Jersey
and Mccarthy, Republican. OF
Wisconsin.
Before each Senator was pile
of documents. carefully prepared
by the committee staff. including
the agenda for the day and the
pending bills.
Glancing first at the documents
then around the table. and count
ing only six present, Senator Nicely
began the discussion.
II am not going to impose en-
your good nature" he told the
prompt members. IF we start s
minutes late today. next time ii
will be 10 minutes late"
isn't it a quorum?" asked Sen
ator Mccarthy, looking around.
NO" responded the chairman
II have to have seven. If they
find out the meeting must start on
time they will get here. Let's try
it again."
Maybe we can get some off the
floor" suggested Senator Nc
Carthy.
Neely Vetoes Idea.
NO" said Senator Nicely. III
they can't get here on time we will
not do business.
Next the chairman suggested
the committee meet today at II
m. or at $3.50 pm. But Senator
Smith, who had been on time al
both sessions, announced she woule
be out of town today. So Senator
Neely adjourned. the meeting tt
some future time and walked out
of the room at 1888 pm. He sale
he hopes to get members "signee
up" for the next meeting on time
| During the tension in the com.
mittee room, a committee aide
rushed to the nearby Senate floor
Senator Kefauver, Democrat, o1
Tennessee. a District Committee
member, was engaged in a discus.
sion with Senator Magnusson
Democrat. Of Washington over thu
pending farm bill. Listening tt
the debate were Senators Mundt
Republican. of South Dakota; Will
liams, Republican, of Delaware
and Miller, Democrat, of Idaho
all District Committee members
Before the debate was over, tht
District committee had adjourned
District Committee members out
of the city yesterday were Sena'
tors Dulles, Republican, of New
York. and Leahy Of Rhode Island
and F'rear of Delaware, both Dem
IocratS