Evening star., 1922-02-08
PLAN PROPOSED FOR BETTER
LEGISLATION FOR THE DISTRICT
Representative Moore Outlines Changes in
Congressional Treatment of Capital.
>Favors National Representation.

tinuing the policy of leaving it to
the Senate to correct it's shortcon-
ings. He said:
We must. it seems, rely not upon
ourselves. but upon the Senate to
make possible such an appropriation
and. likewise, for other important
amendments. -
1T is regrettable that the subcom-
mittee which framed the bill, due, in
part. to it's. wholesale acceptance Of
the reduction of the estimates Of the
Commissioners made by the bureau
of, the budget. and. in part. to Iimi-
tattons imposed by the rules Of the
House. must. along with the rest of
us. look to the Senate for such ar-
! tion as may. and it is TO be hoped
will. result in the passage Of more
satisfactory bin. We are compelled
to rely upon the Senate to rescue the
| House from the unfortunate conse-
quences Of its own self-repression.
The debate that has been had has
a.a at Least served to suggest that it is
Congress to the District. what
am about to say is intended to sun
port that suggestion by outlining GER
tain steps that might be taken in the
way OF modifying the legislative pro-
cedure and that would result. as it
seems see 70 me. in materially lettering
the condition that now exists
Hapa Self-GOveFnment.
inere is one fundamental change
favored by some that in INV iudr-
ment should not be thought OF. name
!!, the institution Of seIf-Royernment
IN the District. If thereby is meant
government similar to that of a state
having governor and legislature
elected by the people. or Of a city
VIVA mayor and council elected by
the people. 1t would be mistake to
ABANDON the present commission form
or government. when so many cities
are turning to 1t as the desirable form.
or to assimilate the local govern
ment to that Of a state, which would
De entering again upon an expert
ment which proved so almost dis.
astrous when it was tried here many
There Is another thing that invites
incidental comment. 1t is understood
that an effort is being made to obtain
constitutional amendment that
would enable the District, by popu-
var vote, to secure representation In
Congress and participate in presi-
dental elections. and this. / am in
clined to believe. is a reasonable prop
csition. Other considerations aside, it
would give the District a political
status that would tend to assure it
more comprehensive and tolerant
treatment. But without waiting for
that there is much that might be done
at once.
Congress is the District legislature,
and one trouble is on account OF de-
lay in enacting legislation. The in
itiation Of District legislation now
rests with one or the other of two
large District committees-the Senate
committee of thirteen members and
the House committee OF twenty-one
members. These committees act sep
arately. A measure carefully, and
often very eIaborately. considered
and reported by one may be consid-
cred de novo and to the same extent
by the other. Why not. in order to
speed legislation, establish a single
joint District committee, to which
could be referred bills originating in
either house and empower it to make
reports to either house, or simultane-
ously to both houses. as it may de-
tcrmine? That this would save the
waste of time attaching To inde-
pendent Senate and House committee
action can hardly be questioned. Nor
| is it open to question that the reports
| of such a joint committee would carry
a weight and authority that separate
reports do not commonly carry.
Pleads for Joint Comnittee.
"The justification for such a depar-
ture from the present procedure lies
| in the fact that the legislative power
Of Congress over the District Is ex-
ceptional, just as the requirements OF
the District are exceptional, and that
| It would contribute to facilitate Con-
gress In performing the unusual func-
tions which 1t must exercise in enact