Work Done

The Senate:

P: Passed a bill that provides for a 84,000,000 face-lifting operation on the Capitol. To achieve architectural symmetry and uniformity of construction, the bill proposes to move the east fagade with its famed portico forward from 12 to 32 ft. and reface the white painted sandstone with white marble to match the Senate and House wings. The main section of the building between the two wings, although it has been altered, is virtually all that remains of the Capitol as it was planned in 1793. Since the great cast-iron dome was built in the 1850s to replace the smaller original one, architects, including Thomas Walter, designer of the dome and Congressional wings, have argued that the east fagade should be extended so that the dome would rise from the centre of the building instead of the east portico. Some sentimentalists noted the fact that the marble would hide forever the historic scars that were burned into the sandstone front when British soldiers set fire to the building during the War of 1812, but the bill was passed without a roll call, sent to the House.

P:Passed (64 to 11) the $522,847,808 Naval Appropriation bill which provides for the Big Navy program during fiscal 1938 by allocating $130,000,000 to start work on eight new destroyers, four new submarines, to continue work on 81 other vessels of all types, and $27,000,000 for new airplanes. "May I ask," demanded opposing Senator Lynn J. Frazier, "what is considered a potential enemy? I do not believe the majority of our people approve this policy." Sent it to the President.

P: Passed a resolution exempting Joseph P. Kennedy, newly appointed by President Roosevelt to head the U. S. Maritime Commission (TIME, March 22), from provisions of the Merchant Marine act of 1936 which would make him ineligible to serve on the Commission because he had a "substantial" financial interest in a shipping line within the three years preceding his appointment. Declared sarcastic Senator Frazier, North Dakota Republican, after reading a list of Appointee Kennedy's achievements from Who's Who: "In addition to all these very eminent and obvious qualifications, Mr. Kennedy also contributed $50,000 to the Democratic Campaign Fund in 1932. If that doesn't qualify a man for a job like this I don't know what does."

The House:

P: Passed the Rankin bill which would restore pension benefits to some 2,000 veterans suffering from the results of venereal diseases contracted during the World War; the Voorhis bill which would permit some 48,000 World War veterans to extend expiring War insurance policies for five years. Sent them to the Senate.

P: Passed the Supply bill providing 1938 fiscal appropriations totaling $123,099,000 for the State. Justice. Commerce and Labor Departments. Sent it to the Senate.

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