Evening star., 1935-03-08
NEW UNIT TO Plan
HOME RULE URGED
Citizens Leader Explains
Need of New Charter to
Allow Vote Here.

Creation of q commission, composed
OF residents of the District, to draft
. charter providing for local home
rule, with full representation in both
branches Of Congress and In the elec-
toral college, was urged by L. A.
Carruthers, president of the Forest
Hills Citizens Association and first
vice president Of the Federation Of
Citizens Associations, in radio ad-
dress broadcast yesterday by Station
WMAL.
Carruthers expressed the belief that
the right of local citizens to exercise
q voice in government has been estab-
lished, and recommended that what
ever action is necessary be taken.
either by constitutional amendment or
national legislation, to permit the
establishment of local home rule and
national representation.
The lack of a voice in government
In the District, Carruthers said, may
be traced to conditions encountered
in the early days of the Nation in
connection with the establishment OF
q permanent seat Of government.
These conditions do not exist today,
he said.
ut is well known" he explained,
"that the seat of Government was
located in several cities before it was
permanently established
History Of the Plan.
In order to be free from the political
Influences Of municipal governments
already established, he pointed cut, it
was provided in the Constitution that
Congress should have power to exercise
exclusive legislation in all cases over
the seat Of Government of the United
States.
1.-The government of the District of
Columbia" he said, continues 70 oper-
ate under that provision at the present
time, with the National Congress act
ing as a city council. It is not be-
iieved, however, that conditions which
made such provision advisable at that
time exist at the present time"
In the early days there was but a
scant population, more or less tram
sient, and 1t appeared desirable that
Congress retain control of the local
government, ne explained. Today,
however, he said Washington has a
population of approximately 100000.
many of whom arc homeowners and
permanent residents of the city.
"Our population is greater in num-
ber than that Of any one OF eight
States and certainly is as we'll qualified
to have a voice in the selection of the
President of the United States, or
members of the National Congress,
and to exercise home rule in local af-
fairs as any group Of like size in the
United States.
Leads in Tax Payments.
"As further evidence Of our right to
participate in both Federal and local
government, it is found that the Dis
trict Of Columbia pays more Federal
income tax than any one of 30 States,
and more than the combined amount
Of 10 States. these 10 States having
representation in Congress Of 55. The
District of Columbia also pays more
for the support Of local government
than any one of 10 States pays for
State and local government COM
bined."
Carruthers discussed in some detail
the proposed reorganization Of the
District Government, on the basis o.
the tentative draft submitted by the
federation to member citizens asso-
Citations. He explained that the prin-
cipal feature Of the draft provides
for an elective council with admin
istrative and advisory functions.
The Forest Hills association, he
said, at regular meeting March 4,
unanimously approved councilman
ager form of government as a sub
stitution for the federation draft
He explained the mayor council, VI
commission" and "council-manager
forms of city government, describing
the council-manager form as the most
modern and "as conforming more
nearly to the organization Of a cor
poration or a business concern"
1T Is generally conceded" he said,
"that the cities that are operating
under this form of government are
the most efficiently governed munich
palities In the country"
There now are more than $50 cities
with the council-manager government
In this country, he said. He explained
how the council-manager plan would
be applied to the District under the
plan approved by his association.