Evening star., 1949-04-15
House Praised
By Mccormack
As Recess0 Opens
Votes Bill to Finance
2S Federal Agencies
Before Adjourning

2S Federal Agencies
Before Adjournine
Members of the House were en-
5oying an extended Easter recess
today, assured by Majority Leader
Mccormack that they had placed
a creditable amount of legislation
behind them and could take o
vacation without misgivings.
The Senate. however, will be
back on the job Monday, trying to
make up the time it lost early in
the session. That branch still
must pass all of the departmental
appropriations bills that have
cleared the House.
Senator McGrath of Rhode Is
land. chairman of the Democratic
National Committee suggested
House members could make po-
litical hay during their Easter re-
cess by telling the home folk that
Republican obstructionism and
opportunism" are slowing down
the Truman program.
Before adjourning yesterday un-
til April 25, the lower chamber
passed and sent to the Senate a
s7,576,000.000 appropriation bill
to finance % Independent Federal
agencies for the fiscal year begin
ming July /.
Two Projects Here Included.
Included are two $4,000, 900
items for construction work on
the new Federal courthouse and
General Accounting Office build
ing projects here.
Reviewing the work of the
House to date In the current ses-
sion, Mr.. Mccormack said the
members could go home and face
their constituents unashamed. be-
cause "the legislative program OF
the, House of Representatives is
well under way"
He pointed out alf regular ap-
preparation bills for the executive
functions Of Government had been
approved and sent to the Senate.
The Massachusetts Democrat
promised plenty of work for the
members on their return. however,
and announced debate on legisla-
ton to repeal the Taft-Hartley
Act will begin April 26, under
present plans.
Fund Cut Restored.
In acting on the independent
Offices money bill, the House re-
versed It's Appropriations Com
mittee on a $3,400,000 cut the
committee had made in funds for
the training program of the
Maritime Commission. The Budget
Bureau figure of $6.586,000 was
restored.
The cut would have eliminated
allowances paid merchant marine
cadets while undergoing training.
Proponents Of the restoration con-
tended the cut would cause en-
rollments to dwindle. -
The House more than made up
for the Maritime Commission
boost. however, in halving the
committees recommended $9.000,-
900 for the Selective Service Sys-
tenn. The committee had knocked
down the allotment from a budget
estimate of $16,700,000, but the
House held. 100000 was too
much for the system in its preser..
standby status.
Biggest allotment in the inde-
pendent Offices bill is $5.145.43l.-
$40 for the Veterans Administra-
tion. The Atomic Energy Com
mission gets $1,000, ,120.397.
AS passed, the entire bill pro-
vides about $735 100000 less than
President Truman had asked. The
Veterans Administration was cut
$509. .000, 900, and the Atomic
Energy Commission was reduced
$77.000, 900.
The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission was given
$498,000 to acquire additional park
land in nearby Maryland. The
Budget Bureau had recommended
$750,000.
All but $4,000 of the $73, 700
estimate for District land redevel-
opment planning by the commits
sion was disallowed. The $40, 900
is for publishing a report on this
subject.
The bill also carried $197 900 for
the acquisition of playground and
recreation sites in the District
$1,000 less than the budget figure.
AS sent to the Senate. the meas
ure contains a provision prohibit
ing use of any of the funds for
real estate purchases or sales
outside the District without con-
sent of the Senate and House sub
committees. which handled the
bill. An exception is made for
programs previously authorized by
Congress.
floor, he was disturbed by this
clause and feared it might AFRO
gate to Congressional subcommit-
tees authority properly resting
with executive departments. He
said he would not oppose it, how
ever, on the assurance Of Repre-
sentative Thomas. Democrat, of
Texas. chairman of the subcom-
mittee. that steps would be taken
to remove it, if it were found to
rlcce unnecessary restraints.
Tax Collector Warns