Evening star., 1926-09-24
PROBE UNDER WAY
INTO D. c. AFFAIRS
House Subcommittee to Pick
Chairman Tomorrow and
Call Commissioners.

Five of the seven membee. of the
subcommittee directed by tAe House
District committee to make a COM
prehensive and systematic survey OF
the municipal administration Of the
District of Columbia met today in the
District committee room in the House
Office Building and discussed informal
ly their policy and program to cover
extensive hearings.
Election of a chairman was deferred
until tomorrow out Of Difference to
Representative William G. Hummer.
Democrat, of North CarolinsS who
was delayed, but who wired thS COM
mittee that he would be on ha;d to-
morrow. The question Is whether
Representative Gibson. Republican.
Of Vermont, who headed the smaller
subcommittee which held preliminary
hearings In connection with charges
against Commissioner Fenning, and
as a result Of whose report the pres
ent study was ordered, shall continue
as chairman or whether Representa-
tive Mcleod. Republican, Of Michi-
gan, who outranks Mr.. Gibson under
the seniority rule, and who was added
to the subcommittee when it was en-
AeIA 6CNJ CtAellA dSI as OAA1AA iiieAAl'
Those in Attendance.
Those attending the meeting today
were Representatives Mcleod, Michi-
gan; Gibson, Vermont; Reid, Illinois;
Houston. Delaware, all Republicans,
and Whitehead. Va, Democrat.
After two executive sessions it was
announced that these members had
been considering policy and program,
and that to determine on basis for
systematic hearings several wit
nesses, including the District Com
missioners, will be invited to meet
with the subcommittee tomorrow
morning at 1890 o'clock.
Besides the District Commissioners
the subcommittee will invite Control
Ter General McCarl, Who has been
making studies of the school system,
the municipal public building opera
tions and Of st. Elizabeth's Hospital.
They also have invited l.. f. Schmeck-
ebier, who has been making a survey
of the District government for the
American Civic Association.
The District Commissioners have
been asked to furnish the subcom-
mittee with a chart of the District
Government. The American Bar AS
sociation will be asked to furnish uni
form laws that are applicable to the
District of Columbia.
Seeks Data on Budgets.
They are asking for the budgets Of
other cities throughout the country Of
comparable size with Washington.
1t also was agreed that a special
study be made of the question of taxa.
ton in the District.
The Controller General will be
asked to submit a report on his sur
vey of the municipal architects Of
flee, 1t was announced.
Representative Gibson explained
that the subcommittee was laying a
foundation for the comprehensive
study 1t is to make of the District
government as it is now organized.
to see what, if any changes should
be made in the form of the District
government; what if any changes
should be made in the fiscal relations
between the Federal and District gov.
ernments.
1t was also stated by Mr.. Gibson
that the subcommittee intends to pro-
ceed in an orderly manner, conf1n.
Ing itself to a study of one agency or
activity until that has been completed
and then taking up another, rather
than pursue a helter-skelter course
as was necessary in the preliminary
hearings during the last session of
Congress.