Evening star., 1943-12-28
McCarran Committee
To Weigh Home Rule
Action After Jan. 10
Extensive Hearings End
After Many Conflicting
Views Are Expressed
BY DON s. WARREN,

Members of the McCarran sub
committee of the Senate District
Committee are expected to meet
soon, probably after Congress con-
venes on January 10, to consider &C
ton on the Washington home rule"
plan which calls for an elected
council-city manager form Of mu-
nicipal government.
Extensive hearings on the sub
ject were concluded after an all
day session yesterday during which
many conflicting views were ex-
pressed though a majority Of the
dozen witnesses urged the granting
Of local suffrage. AS in previous
days, many asked for representation
in Congress for District residents
as the ultimate solution while say
ing this was not substitute for
election of local officials.
Burton Explains Issue.
Senator Burton, Republican Of
Ohio, who conducted yesterdays
session. explained that national
representation was not before the
District Committee and should be
treated separately.
Differences of views developed
over such issues as whether there
should be a literacy test for Wash
ington voters, whether councilmen
should be elected by wards or at
large. or some appointed by the
President to preserve the Federal
interests in the Capital; whether
proportional representation should
be included in the voting plan; and
whether there would be a large
number Of Washington residents not
voting here for fear Of losing State
and Federal voting rights IN their
home States.
When a number Of witnesses sug-
gested it would be all right to let
residents vote here though they also
voted in the States. Senator Burton
said Congress would probably re-
gard that idea with 'consterna-
ton" He doubted If Congress
would sanction practice of voting
in two Jurisdictions, even though
it be limited to election of city off,
cials.
Some said the number of Wash
ington residents eligible to vote in
the States was relatively minor
others suggested the number was
large.
Favor Bill in Principle.
Among those testifying for the
McCarran bill. in principle at least,
during the afternoon session, were
James M. Moore OF the Washington
Industrial Union Council. Robert
Sherman and Henry Beitscher OF
the District Council. United Federal
Workers of America: Edgar G..
Brown, United Government Work
ers; Huver I. Brown. Federation OF
Civic Associations: George w.
Hodgkins, teacher, author and ac-
tive civic worker
The suggestion voiced in the
morning session by President Harry
S. Wender of the Federation Of Citi-
zens' Association for literacy test
for voters drew objections later from
Edgar G.. Brown who insisted there
should be no qualifying tests beyond
residence-that II man was good
enough to fight and die for his coun-
try he should be permitted to vote.
In the South" he added. "a man
with masters degree couldn't
satisfy some election boards he was
able to read and write
Would Elect Education Board.
Mr. Moore, while asking a favor
able report on the McCarran bill
promised the union council would
bring in petitions from various
unions and the public in support OF
the suffrage plan. He asserted men,
bers of the Board of Education as
we'll as the proposed city council
should be elected
Mr.. Beitscher. urging there be no
requirement of bona fide" residence
here in order to vote, said that to
give Federal workers the vote for
Washington councilmen while de-
priving them of voting in their home
States would be a sorry exchange
Mr.. Hodgkins, who teaches history
and social subjects. said he had been
telling his pupils 'of the glories OF
American democracy which applied
to all the country except the people
of the District He spoke for ma
tional representation as we'll as local
suffrage and an elected school
board, but said he saw no merit in
the argument there should be no
local suffrage until representation
in Congress is granted.
Among others testifying yesterday
were David Whatley, Mrs. Agnes
Waters and Clinton N. Howard. ex-
ecutive officer of the international
Reform Federation