Evening star., 1938-03-01
D. c. CESS|0N PLAN
FINDS MARYLAND
MEMBERS DIVIDED
PaImisano Wants All or
Nothing, Kennedy Sees
Little Advantage.
LATTER is NOT SURE
STATE WOULD AGREE
Collins Of Mississippi Opposes
Proposal, Urging Still Larger
Federal Area.

Two House members most vitally
interested in the proposal to cede back
to Maryland the area in the Dis
trict not exclusively occupied by the
Federal Government-Representatives
Palmisano and Kennedy, both Mary
land Democrats-stood divided today
on the merits of the plan. Mr.. Palmi-
sano is chairman of the District Com
mittee and Mr.. Kennedy the ranking
majority member
The annexation plan was proposed
by Representative Nichols, Democrat,
Of Oklahoma, chairman of the Fiscal
Affairs Subcommittee of the House
District Committee. as one way the
disfranchised residents of Washington
may gain national representation and
escape Federal domination" and the
rule Of Congress.
Mr.. Palmisano said he believed
Maryland would be glad to take back
the territory it gave to establish the
seat Of the National Government, If
the entire area Is returned. The Mich
OILS plan. he said. proposes to retain
the cream" for the Federal Govern
ment and give Maryland the Skinned
milk"
Kennedy Dubious.
But Mr. Kennedy believes there will
be no particular advantage" to Mary
land to take back the 10 miles square
1t granted the Government and at the
same time pointed out the plan prob
ably would cause the residents of the
District to suffer"
THE people Of Maryland are not
ashamed to take back the area it gave
up to the Federal City" said Mr..
Palmisano. But I'm sure they feel
the way do about the proposal of
Mr.. Nichols. When I give a person
something and they are dissatisfied
with it, I want it back in its entirety
not part of it."
Mr.. Kennedy. however, is not sure
whether Maryland would want to take
back the District under any conditions.
Foresee Complications.
Both OF them agree that any plan
to transfer the area of the District
back to Maryland involved many COM
plicated problems, which would re-
quire serious and prolonged study to
solve. The most important Of these,
1t was explained, would revolve around
police and fire protection for the Fed
eral area that would remain under the
Nichols plan.
The most vigorous opposition to the
plan came from Representative Col
Inns, Democrat, Of Mississippi, chair
man Of ale District Subcommittee on
Appropriations of the House Appro-
priations Committee.
Instead Of ceding the District back
to Maryland. Mr.. Collins said its area
should be enlarged to include some OF
the surrounding area of nearby Mary
land, as we'll as that portion Of Vir-
ginia which was contributed for the
seat Of the Federal Government and
returned. That area includes all Of
Arlington County and the City of
Alexandria as far south as Jones
Point.
Il firmly believe the present plan
Of having the District governed by
Congress is the BEST" declared Mr..
Collins.
Chairman King of the Senate Dis
trict Committee promptly announced
his opposition to Mr.. Nichols pro-
posal.
George Washington laid out the
District so that the Federal Govern
ment would be able to control the
Capital, and I prefer to adhere to
that plan," said Senator King.