Evening star., 1949-05-24
Congress Votes
Broad Powers
To Sesqui Heads
Request Still Pending
For $1,000, 900 to
Initiate Project

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TO the White House legislation
giving broad authority to the
National Capital Sesquicentennial
Commission to proceed with plans
for the celebration here next year.
The Senate yesterday finally
approved the House e-passed joint
resolution, to start the commission
on its way.
Pending still on Capitol Hill
is the Presidents request for a
$3.000.000 appropriation to finance
the beginning of the project. A
Senate appropriations subcom-
mittee has the item under con-
sideration for inclusion in the
pending second deficiency bill,
still subject to hearings.
Four Other d. C. Bills Voted.
The Senate also passed four
other District bills during call
Of its lengthy calendar. They
would:
Provide for appointment of ar
additional judge for Juvenile
Court, with an amendment stipu-
lating the, jurist must be a resi-
dent of the District.
Authorize extension for one
more year of the system of day.
care for children of working
mothers, with a $150,000 appro-
priation-the same amount grant,
ed for this year.
Permit banks to pool trust funds
for investment purposes.
Authorize the District Commits
sioners to destroy weeds on pri-
vate property, because they are
considered a nuisance and in
furious to health"
McGrath Defends Bill.
Chairman McGrath of the Sem
ate District Committee stoutly de-
Tended the Sesquicentennial bill
against questions raised on the
floor by several Senators, especial
ly Senator LANCER, Republican, of
North Dakota.
Senator Hendrickson, Republi-
can. Of New Jersey pressed for
replies as to how much the direc-
tor of the commission would re-
ceive and how much money the
Federal Government would have
to put up to finance the celebra-
ton.
Senator McGrath pointed out
the pending measure was only an
authorization bill to empower the
commission to proceed. The re-
quest for $4,000 900. to be con-
sidered later, he said. is intended
as a kind of loan by the Federal
Government to get the celebra-
tion, started.
Profit Possible.
Total budget for the Sesquicen-
tennial, Senator McGrath told the
Senate, probably will be around
$4,000, 900. But he emphasized
that there may be no loss what
ever-perhaps even profit.
Money spent here by visitors also
will result in many taxes flowing
Into the Federal Treasury, the
Rhode Islander explained.
Asked why the Government
should advance any funds at all,
Senator McGrath pointed to pre-
cedent by which Congress has ad-
vanced sums to great expositions
all over the country.
This Is not a District OF CO.,
lumbia project" he emphasized.
1T is to be the Sesquicentennial
of the Capital of the United States
"a national exposition.
Juvenile Court Measure.
The Juvenile Court measure, in
troduced by Senator McCarran,
Democrat, of Nevada. was opposed
by Senator LANCER because it
would not require the new judge
to be a resident of Washington.
Senator McGrath explained the
"dire emergency" because the
present judge of Juvenile Court,
Miss Fay Bentley, Is in st. Eliza,
beths Hospital. , Senator LANCER
and Senator McGrath finally &C
eepted an amendment proposed by
Senator McCarran to require the
new Judge to be a resident, and
the bill was passed and sent to
the House. A similar bill is pend
ing before House District Judici-
ary subcommittee.
The Senate sent to conference
L..