Evening star., 1940-02-09
D. c. Home Rule
Champions in Senate
De|ayvo on Edwards
Several Senators Voice
Protest on Importing
District w. P. A. Chief

New York to be w. P. A. administra-
tor for the District gave rise to a
new movement in the Senate today
against bringing in non-residents for
local appointments, although it may
not be carried to the point of block
ing confirmation of Mr. Edwards.
Senator Chavez of New Mexico,
first to raise the issue yesterday,
made known today he would not
block confirmation of Mr.. Edwards
to be w. P. A. Administrator when
it comes up again, but would serve
notice that he will object to any fu-
ture appointments of outsiders to
District places.
Senator King of Utah also said
this morning that unless there are
some new developments during the
day, he will consent to the Edwards
nomination.
Action Postponed.
Action on the appointment was
postponed yesterday at the request
of Senator King to give him time
to look into a last-minute protest
that was made to Senator Schwel-
lenbach, Democrat, Of Washington,
shortly before the nomination was
called up.
Senator Schwellenbach said he did
not have time yesterday afternoon
to ascertain the nature of the objec-
ton, which reached him by tele-
phone.
Chavez Disapproves Practice.
Before the nomination was put
aside for the day, however, Senator
Chavez took the floor to register his
disapDroval of the practice of ap-
pointing outsiders, and after the
Senate had adjourned Senator King
said he holds the same view in oppo-
sition to the practice.
Both Senators Chavez and King
emphasized they had no personal op-
position to Mr.. Edwards, and Sena-
tor King added he would vote for
him on the basis of his present in
formation. He wanted to reiterate,
he said, his disapproval of the prin-
ciple of going outside the District
to fill local jobs.
Endorsed Personally.
"I shall not raise any objection" P"
Senator Chavez told the Senate.
Call the information have is to the
effect that he (Mr. Edwards) is a
very fine person. However, think
1t is about time that the people of
ahe District had their own appoint
ees without going to some other
States to obtain the best man. 1t
seems to me that it is reflection
on the people of the District to go
elsewhere to obtain what we call a
good man.
ct seems to me that the people
of the District are suffering under
enough handicaps by reason of
having no voice in their own gov
ernment, without having to go else
where, whether it be to New York or
New Mexico, to find an appointee to
handle matters in the District. The
information I have is that Mr..
Edwards is a f1rst-class citizen and
q very fine official
Senator Chavez said he would
feel the same way if 1t were a
judgeship or any other local ap-
pointment. There is a vacancy at
the present time on the bench of
District Court, but a nomination
to fill it has not yet been submitted
Wagner Disclaims Appointment.
Senator Wagner, Democrat, of
New York, interposed to assure the
Senate he had nothing to do with
the appointment, and to express the
opinion it was in no sense political
one.
'"The point I am trying to make, "
Senator Chavez replied, "is that
for one would not feel that there is
no one In the District who could
do the job as well as Mr.. Edwards" /"
Senator McKellar, Democrat, Of
Tennessee told of the careful study
the Appropriations Committee made
of the appointment, and indorsed
its favorable recommendation.