Evening star., 1950-09-24
By Harold B. Rogers

The 81st Congress. which ad.
journed last night, authorized
important public works for this
area and took steps expected tc
bring much stronger law enforce
ment to the National Capital.
Outstanding among the big
projects approved were the new
civilian airport for the metropoli-
tan area, the Washington -Balti-
more Parkway, East Capitol
Street Bridge, and a long-range
Improvement in the city water
supply system through Federal
loans.
Three different Congressional
Investigations into local affairs on
crime generally, sex offenders in
Government, and wire-tapping-
already promise to result in pro-
posed legislation.
Many bills, including record
breaking appropriations of more
than $120 million to run the Dis
trict this year, became law.
Congress after much con-
troversy between House and Sen
ate. finally approved 100000 fol
civilian defense in the District.
Many Bills Were Blocked.
Rent control was extended here
until January 81. before which
the problem of further extension
will be reviewed by Congress.
Blocked however, or left over
for future action in the short
session beginning November 27
were many other pieces of legis-
lation of concern to the city.
Most controversial of the pigeon
holed measures is the Senate
passed bill to give the District a
limited form of self-government
This remains in the House Dis
trict Committee, where it was
buried months ago.
Representative Kennedy, Demo-
crat, of Massachusetts,, sponsor of
a petition to force the measure to
the House floor for a vote said he
has abandoned hope for home rule
in the 81st Congress. The cam
paign to get 218 signatures neces-
sary to discharge the District Com
mittee from jurisdiction over the
bill now cannot be obtained, Mr..
Kennedy predicted. Several mem
bers who had signed the petition
recently withdrew their names.
The Home Rule bill, like all
others still pending in Congress,
will die at the end of the 81st
Congress, January 8, unless en-
acted.
The new civilian airport for this
area, likely to be built in nearby
Virginia, was authorized to cost
$14 million. An appropriation of
81 million was provided to start
the project. including the site, not
yet selected.
The Washington Baltimore
Parkway is to be completed on a
route already acquired from a
point near Fort Meade into the
District by way of Anacostia Park.
Total cost authorized is $13 mil
lion. Congress approved SO mil
lion in immediate contract au-
thority for the parkway in the
Federal-Aid to Highways bill, but
rejected a requested 50 million in
appropriations. Experts believe
preliminary work can be started
under the contractural authority.
The parkway would connect at
Jessups Road near Fort Meade
with similar divided highway con-
now being built by
Maryland from Baltimore south
ward. The project was strongly
urged as a needed defense ex-
preSSway.
The District already has cash
of about 81 million to start the
new East Capitol Street Bridge,
ordered by Congress after a long
and somewhat bitter controversy
over the site. For next fiscal year
1858, the city expects to spend
2,490 900 on the bridge. Federal
aid money is expected to supple
ment District highway funds on
the job.
Water System to be Expanded.
Congress, in passing the Feder-
al aid to highway bill authorized
the District to get around ST mil
lion for the fiscal years 1852 and
1853 to help in bridge and road
building.
The city's ong-delayed expan-
sion of much-needed water sys-
tenn facilities will get under way
this year through the help of the