Evening star., 1939-07-11
DC. Bill
Postponement
Is Suggested
McGehee and Dirksen
See No Need for
Hosty Passage
BACKGROUND

cation long has been under con-
stderdtion In the interest of eN-
cheney and economy. Congress
last session appropriated $4,000
tor Development OF plan by
Grttenhagen & Associates, but
this plan was altered. Last
Thursday Representative Ken
nedy, Democrat, of Maryland, in
troduced legislation including re-
utsed plan. Immediately both op-
position and praise began to
spring from ciDic, labor and gop-
err7nentdl sources in the District.
Postponement of action on the
Kennedy bill to revamp the District
government until next session of
Congress was suggested today by
Representatives McGehee, Demo-
crat, of Mississippi and Dirksen, Re-
publican, Of Illinois, members of the
Reorganization Subcommittee of the
House District Committee.
The delay was proposed as the
subcommittee met with the three
Commissioners and a group of other
District officials to study the reor-
ganization bill, which was intro
duced In the House last week by
Representative Kennedy, Democrat,
of Maryland.
A delegation from the Central
Labor Union also called on Commits
sioner George E. Allen at the District
Building today and protested against
the reorganization bill in its present
form.
Representatives McGehee and
Dirksen. both stressed that Congress
may adjourn in the near future and
they saw no need for haste in rush.
ing the reorganization plan to the
House floor.
Kennedy Objects.
Mr.. Kennedy. the subcommittee
chairman, vigorously objected to a
delay.
II don't think we should postpone
action on this bill because of the
possibility of adjournment" he de-
clared.
Mr.. Dirksen first suggested a post
ponement during his examinat ton of
Commissioner George E. Allen as
to the views of President Roosevelt
on the proposed new municipal
set-up.
"The President has stated that the
general principle of this bill he
likes" said Commissioner Allen.
"The President evidently feels the
reorganization should be done as
soon as possible"
IT it Is matter of abiding in
terest to the President he might
convey to US what views he has in
mind" declared Representative Dirk
sen. I'VE can't give the time to it
now that we should. We have so
many irons in the fire. When you 60
to reorganize the District govern
ment you have a big job on your
hands. see no reason for haste. I
suggest the bill 60 over until the next
session. We could very we'll in the
interest of the District let it 60 over
until the next session"
yes" interrupted Mr.. Kennedy,
"but we would be in the same posi-
ton next year"
Fears Action Now.
"The hearings we held on the
original reorganization plan were
somewhat perfunctory," continued
Mr.. Dirksen. Except for those
called into be heard there is no
group in the District who have by
word or letter indicated to me there
is any great need for reorganizing
the District.
Il have no doubt a reorganization
might increase efficiency. have no
objection to departmentalizing the
District. think that can be done.
But I don't like to disturb the top
organization unless there is neces-
sity for it.
'The present form of government
has worked out satisfactorily. If
there ought to be changes, would
like to see them made effective
slowly.
THE spirit of adjournment is in
the air, you know, and everybody
knows, and I don't believe the
members would like to sit here to
consider a reorganization plan for
the District. I am afraid it would
not under those circumstances re-
ceive the consideration it deserves
II 1t should be taken to the floor
now"
I don't think I could act intel
ligently on this bill now" declared
Representative McGehee. Il think,
on the part of wisdom, we should
not try to start the reorganization
at this session."
Mr.. McGehee said he was opposed
(see REORGANIZATION, Page A-4)