Evening star., 1940-01-15
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

Ihe House DISTRICT Committee
today made public the plan approved
by the Commissioners for reorganiz-
ing the 62-year-old municipal gov
ernment and disclosed that virtually
all its important details already had
leaked out in advance.
Examination of the plan con-
f1rmed published stories that the
Commissioners propose the creation
of a citizens advisory council Of
nine members and the replacement
of Health Officer George c. Ruhland
with an officer of the United States
Public Health Service.
AS previously reported, too. the
plans fail to include local suffrage
plank, despite threats of Repre-
sentative Kennedy, Democrat, of
Maryland to make it an integral
part of reorganization program.
Mr.. Kennedy is chairman of
special subcommittee of tine District
Committee in Charge of Reorgani.
zation Legislation.
Plan in Form Of Bill.
The plan of the Commissioners,
embodied in the form of proposed
bill, is still at The Budget Bureau
awaiting approval The Commits
sioners were virtually forced to give
it up to the committee at the in
sistence of Mr.. Kennedy, who told
them they had been instructed to
submit it to his subcommittee not
later than December Is last.
Commissioner George E. Allen told
the committee the plan was sent to
the Budget Bureau in accordance
with an executive order.
But" he said. "if the committee
overrules that order, that's differ
ent thing"
Il don't know of anybody who is
going to worry much about a vio-
lation of that executive order" re-
marked Mr.. Kennedy as he took
copies of the proposed bill from
Corporation Counsel Elwood Seal
and tucked them away in . big en-
veiope.
BY committee action the proposed
bill was referred to Mr.. Kennedy's
subcommittee, where it will be con-
sidered in connection with reor-
ganization plan he is sponsoring-a
plan drafted by the Chicago firm of
Griffenhagen & Associates which
would continue the Commissioners
as the governing body of the Dis
trict. but would create new officer
that of city manager-who could
become the administrative head Of
the revamped municipal govern
ment.
Heated Exchange Over Suffrage.
Action of the Commissioners in
turning over copies of their pro-
posed reorganization plan to the
committee was marked by a brief
but heated exchange over the suf-
frage issue.
Representative DAlesandro. Dem
ocrat, of Maryland, latest addition
to the committee. set off the verbal
fireworks by asking the Commits
sioners their position on the suf-
frage question.
Il think that's an unfair ques-
WILL, OAHU 1NC ~ CoCiitdtlNC SCNSCIlUC,
Republican, of Ohio. The Com
missioners have been put on the
spot enough this morning"
II don't see where the Commits
sioners have been put on the spot"
remarked Mr.. Kennedy. who was
acting as chairman of the full COM
mittee in the absence of Repre-
sentative Randolph, Democrat, of
West Virginia, who is in the Naval
Hospital under treatment for an
acute attack of grippe.
I'VE would be glad to pass on any
bill sent to u.s." interrupted Com
missioner Allen. "Send us a suffrage
bill, and we will give you an answer"
Kennedy Favors Vote for D. C.
Mr. Kennedy, in verbal tilt with
Mr.. Seccombe. said he felt the peo-
pie of the District are entitled to
a vote just the same as the people
in Mr.. Seccombes own congressional
district. He wanted to know Mr..
Seccombe's position.
when the time comes I am going
to oppose it" declared Mr. Seccombe.
Until I'm shown that suffrage will
give the District a better form of
government than it now has I will
not favor suffrage. The present COM
(See REORGANIZATION, Pg. A-l2)