Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-09-01

designed to catch up with
fathers who refuse to support
their families and flee to other
States.
While the stadium bill is an
authorization, Congress did not
intend to give its last word.
1t was understood in both
houses that the bill was to
make possible a $4,000 Fed
eral grant to study the feasi-
bility of the project
Hungry Children Issue
There was much discussion
during the year about hungry
children in Washington. Sena-
tor Morse. a member Of the
District Committee. succeeded
in obtaining additional funds
in the District budget for these
children.
Home rule for the voteless
citizens of Washington was
again-discussed and forgotten.
There was q division of opin-
ion on this subject among
members Of the Senate District
Committee. They couldn't agree
on the "half-a-loaf" territorial
form identified as such by
Senator Morse, Democrat of
Oregon or the more complete
ly elective form.
And, of course-according to
decentralization for nation
al representation ito give the
District a voice in Congressl
never got of the ground.
Among casualties of the ses.
sion-although they may be
revived when Congress recon-
venes on January Twas a bill
providing for chemical tests Of
blood, breath or urine of per-
sons accused Of driving while
drunk. House and Senate con-
ferees failed to agree on this
measure.
A measure authorizing an
additional Juvenile Court judge
passed the House and was re-
ported by the Senate District
Committee, but it fell by the
wayside-for the last session,
at least-when the Senate de-
clined to act.
Auditorium Rejected
Congress also declined to au-
thorize construction Of an aud
itorium The fight centered on
its location in the Foggy Bot
tom area. near the projected
Constitution avenue bridge, or
, the Southwest Redevelopment
Area.
Both the House and Senate
: approved the auditorium bill
and sent it to conference. The
Senate approved the confer
ence report. but the House de-
: clined to act.
. The District lost thousands
of dollars annually in tax rev.
enues as a result of several bills
; exempting the real estate Of
several organizations from the
real estate levy.
. Among these were Bnai
! Birth. the Columbia Histori-
, cal Socity, the National Trust
for. Historic Preservation and
the American Historical So
ciety.
In addition, materials used
J in construction of war memo
; rails were exempt from the
city'S sales tax and the st.
Thomas Literary Society was
allowed to increase its Cath
Ollie Church holdings in south
west Washington.
In brief, here are some Of the
new laws enacted by the first
session Of the 85th Congress:
Allowing special license plates
at So for antique automobiles
and reducing the registration
fees for two-wheel trailers:
amending the law governing
inheritance of property in case
OF simultaneous death-such
as a man and wife killed in an
automobile accident: allowing
Lorton Reformatory to sell
copies of historic gunmounts
to other States: providing a
uniform law for the inheri-
lance of property when there
is no will left by the deceased.
Other Bills Passed
Also, providing for the re-
moval of members of the Board
OF Education for cause; anti
harity rackets" legislation
forcing certain groups solicit
ing contributions to disclose
where the money is spent and
who is responsible for it; in
creaSing teacher retirement
benefits; raising salary of the
director of the Police Depart
ment Band; naming the pro.
posed new South-bound l4th
Street bridge for Gen. Roch-
ambeau, the French warrior
who aided America during the
Revolution.
Increasing the retirement
benefits of police and firemen,
their widows and orphans and
those who have already retired:
making the income tax laws
. here conform more nearly to
Federal statutes, resulting in a
loss of about $3.50, 900 a year in
! revenue; donating a new head
! quarters to the Association Of
| Oldest Inhabitants; amending
. the marine insurance laws:
. amending the law relating to
bonds in criminal cases.
Abolishing the stamp tax on
wine to be replaced by account
I ing by the inventory system;
easing restrictions on who may
be named directors of trust
companies here.