Evening star., 1938-10-02
KENNEDY inclined
TO TAKE DISTRICT
COMMITTEE POST
One Objective as Chairman
Would Be to Gain
Equal Rights.
SHARE OF U. S. TAXES
CITED AS ONE REASON
Renews Support for System to
Give People Full Measure
Of Control of Affairs.

OF COnLf0l OF Affairs.
Representative Ambrose j. Kennedy
OF Maryland, ranking Democratic
member of the House District Com
mittee, indicated In a statement yes
terday that he was strongly inclined
to accept the Craftsmanship vacated
by the defeat Of Representative Palmi.
sano In the recent primaries, but did
not feel this was the time to make
q definite announcement.
Mr.. Kennedy added that, regardless,
he would remain . member Of the
committee and his one objective would
be to give the people OF Washington
every right they should enjoy on an
equal basis with citizens Of other
| States"
They are entitled to this considera.
ton for many reasons" he pointed out.
"one Of which Is that they pay more
taxes to the Federal Government than
several States combined"
Long ago. the Maryland Representa-.
| tive emphasized, he made it clear he
would support system that would
give Immediately to the people Of
the District full measure of control
over their purely local affairs"
Seeks Improved Methods.
Mr.. Kennedy said he intended after
the November elections to consult with
Speaker Bankhead and Majority
Leader Rayburn concerning the chair
manship. and If he was satisfied legis-
lative methods of the committee could
be improved, this would strongly in
fluence his decision.
After pointing out that he has been
giving serious thought to the chair
manship question, in the event he is
reelected in November, Mr.. Kennedy
continued
For many reasons 1t would be
preferable for me to retain my present
Craftsmanship Of the Committee on
Claims. However. have very sim
cere and sympathetic interest in the
affairs Of the people of the District
of Columbia. and would dislike to
decline any position which might make
it possible for me to render a much
needed service to them.
II desire to correct q misunder.
standing that my accepting this chair
manship might be Influenced in any
way by the business interests Of Bal
timore merchants in Washington. The
record and press reports will show
that I have clearly stated that Balti.
more merchants should not enjoy priv.
ileges and exemptions not enjoyed by
the native merchants Of Washington.
Ever since I have been q member
| Of the Committee on the District
Of Columbia, have endeavored to
obtain an understanding of the re-
lationship Of Congress and the rights
| Of the people of the District, and
have devoted much time to study
of this situation. Long ago I made
it clearly known that I favored and
would support system that would
give Immediately to the people of the
District full measure of control over
their purely local affairs. do not
believe that members of Congress, re-
gardless of how conscientious they may
be, are in a position to give to the
people of Washington proper and
complete consideration Of their local
legislative needs. This is said with
out any idea of being critical of any
member of Congress. for every one
knows that in these days Congress-
man is kept fully occupied in attend
ing to the affairs of his own dis
trict and the Nation generally"
Mr.. Kennedy quoted President
Jackson's annual message Of Decem-
ber 6, 1881. in which. after discussing
the condition of the District, Mr..
Jackson concluded:
rs 1t not just to allow them at
least a Delegate in Congress. If not
local legislature, to make laws for
the District, subject to the approval or
rejection of Congress? earnestly
recommend the extension to them Of
every political right which their in
terests require and which may be
compatible with the Constitution"
Discusses Problems Of Day.
Returning to discussion of District
problems Of today, Representative
Kennedy said in his statement:
Most Of the defects in the present
set-up are due primarily to the fact
that Congress has never worked out
any consistent policy in respect to
| the treatment Of the District Of Co.
lumbia as a subordinate political
agency. In some respects it treats it
as municipal corporation and in
others as a mere administrative de-
partment of the general Government.
This has resulted, and still continues
to result, in confusion in respect to
responsibility and financial obligations
and administration. In order to at
tempt to correct this secured in the
last session Of Congress an appropria-
ton to be used in having study made
by experts on the various surveys, and
expect report in the very near
future. hope that this report will
recommend definite and practical, as
well as acceptable, plan to create .
more economic and efficient govern
ment for the District of Columbia.
hAl uudUlC W StdVC uClllllLCly
at this time whether or not I will
accept the Craftsmanship Of this COM
mittee. I do not consider now the
proper time to make such state
ment inasmuch as no change can
be made until Congress again con-
venes. After the November elections
are over l intend to consult Speaker
Bankhead and Majority Leader Ray.
burn, and if I can satisfy myself
that conditions and methods of hand
ling legislative matters from this
committee can be improved upon,
this would have a strong influence
in my decision"
Directors to Meet.
The Board Of Directors Of the