Evening star., 1933-04-21
Would Aid Citizens Through
Better Understanding
of Affairs.
REPRESENTATION URGED
BY CHAIRMAN NORTON
More Commodious Room to Conduct
Hearings Is Sought by
Committee.

Following instructions adopted by
the House District Committee at
special meeting today, Chairman Nor
ton introduced a resolution providing
for a comprehensive study of District
offairs. The committee also author
lied the chairman to invite the Senate
District Committee to join in this
study.
1t was tentatively agreed to ask for
an appropriation of $2,500 to cover
the expenses of the investigation.
Chairman Norton emphasized that the
utmost economy will be practiced in
making this survey, the real purpose Of
which is to find out what the people
way of legislation or changes in ad-
ministration, Mrs. Norton said.
Full Jurisdiction Desired.
At the meeting Representative Pat
man, Democrat, of Texas, raised a
question that the District Legislative
Committee is not being given the full
jurisdiction it should have over the
municipal affairs of the Capital and
suggested that the appropriations also
should be handled by this committee.
Mrs. Norton disclosed that she had sug-
gested to the chairman of the Appro-
priations Committee that the Legisla-
tive Committee should be given repre-
sentation in the consideration OF
District appropriation bills and that the
two committees should cooperate, but
was told that such a procedure would
establish a bad precedent.
Representative Whitley, Republican,
of New York, proposed that the COM
mittee should seek better committee
room, pointing out that at hearings
large numbers of District residents de-
string to participate in the only way
they can in legislation under which
they live, could not be accommodated
Again Mrs. Norton notified the commit
tee that she had endeavored to secure
a large committee room more in keep
ing with the importance of the Dis.
trict Committee and which would take
care Of the unusually large attendance1
at committee meetings. The member
of the committee agreed that they
would support Chairman Norton in
petition to the House Office Building
Commission for more adequate quarters.
Representation Stressed.
/ National representation in both
| House and Senate and in the electoral
college was emphasized as an important
right which should be given to the Dis
trict residents by Chairman Norton. who
pointed out that the question of fran.
chise for the people of the District is
one Of the major subjects to be studied
by the special subcommittee which Is
to make study Of District affairs.
On this subcommittee she named
Representatives Palmisano, Maryland;
Patman, Texas: Kennedy. Maryland;
O'Brien, Illinois; Randolph, West Vir-
ginia, and Mrs. Jenckes, Indiana. all
Democrats Stalker, New York Whitley,
New York. and Burnham, California,
Republicans.
Text Of Resolution.
The resolution introduced by Mrs.
Norton provides authority to make a
study of the government of the Dis
trict OF Columbia and its different
agencies for the purpose Of ascertain
ing any needed changes in the District
laws or matters of administration there
of and to report its findings to the
full committee, with such recommended
tions as it deems necessary for the
Improvement Of the municipal man.
agement Of the District at some date
to be fixed prior to the expiration of
the Seventy-third Congress"
The resolution directs that the ofi-
GERS and employees of all administrative
and judicial services of the District
shall furnish to the subcommittee such
information as it may require and the
subcommittee shall have access to and
the right to examine any books, docu-
ments, papers or records of the admin
| 1strative or judicial services for the pur-
pose OF securing the information needed
IN the prosecution of its work. The sub
committee is given full authority to sub
poena witnesses, compel attendance and
| call for documents.
Plan to Divide Work.
Chairman Norton suggested that when
| the subcommittee organizes it might
divide the work so various members
might specialize on particular phases Of
the investigation
Representative Palmisano said one of
the main questions to be studied is what
| Is the proper Federal contribution and
whether the District should be allowed
to determine its own appropriations and
expenditures without Budget Bureau
supervision.
Chairman Norton emphasized the i'm
portance Of giving the people of the
District whatever form of self-govern-
ment they prefer. She said she intends
! to introduce resolution granting Dis
| trtct residents voice and vote in the
House and Senate and in the electoral
college. There Is great demand for
this from the responsible organizations
in the District, she said, pointing out
! Congress has been treating the District
like q step child"