Evening star., 1943-11-21
Civic Problems, Civic Bodies
Civic Dinners Planned for December:
Value of McCarran Bill Is Doubted
BY JESSE C. SUTER.

dinners general interest are scheduled for ~.
second week in December and committees bsy at work on
the arrangements The first of these 18th anniversary
dinner Of the Association OF the Oldest Inhabitants of the District
Columbia 1t will held at Sixteenth street on Tues
day. December and be preceded reception at o'clock m
On the following night Wednesday, December g. testimonial
recently retired ~
the District public schools will be given at the Hotel
the auspices Of the Washington Trade The active
cooperation of the school people groups has resulted
in the creation OF representative committee long list of
those identified with civic educational and church
sponsors.
The Balou expected by between 500
and 900 persons attractive program of entertainment
being planned urges promptness in making
ons at S. Reservations offices
Of the Board of Trade.
The this testimonial to DR. Balou originated in the
Public of Trade which has main.
throughout the % wears of his
superintendent this doctor has
met with the committee occasions explained
problems confronting the schools
for sma-loan again brought to the
recent meeting of the division of family child
welfare of the Council Social Agencies
interest in this problem for the solution of which
groups petioned has been
spent by pubcpired citizens and interested
District Committees of for
the Districts oumoded law law which would
tione practices of the loan sharks make possible
neeoy borrowers 10 ooa loans from reaoe concerns located in
the District 1t claimed that attempts to remedial
ton have been thwared by loan operated
DISTRICT oy people VINO are voters ls people having no vote
in lack the influence Capitol Hill which possessed
by their neghbors in the nearby States.
Another piece O District legislation badly needed and much
overdue is the bill generally known the baby broker BILL"
for long time and generally approved by the
welfare strikes the very
poant problem with welfare rights
open objection against this
legislation though there has been opposition
strong against its has been effective
community support bill
strong need for this legislation
any alleged reasons against it.
Striking evidence supporting the Districts long
establishment of equitable relations
governments report Byrd
Economy Committee OF the Senate Federal ownership of real
estate This report released and appeared in The Star
Thursday.
Statistics in the report showed that during 1oyear period
1s281s37,
the value of local Federal buildings than the The
figures in this expected to have close study the va
municipal finance and fiscal committees of the local
organizations This official information ubstantates the uno
ca collected by the Board of and other
Value of an Elective Local Government Is Doubted
AS to the value be placed elective local for
the District proposed
similar decided opinion
legislation consider home rule even though
the Congress- in which District people represented will
District.
citizens who oppose this pending legislation and insist
that the District representation
improve the local against Improvement
Those holding such views recognize that the mechanics of tho
District perfect They they
favor suggestions increased
cedre which would contribute materially to the more ecent
operation of the local However,
the mere substitution of elective for the appoinve officials will
produce any improvement
An analysis of this question conclusion
mpoent elective government will have only "windowdreng"
Suggesting advantage appointed
scenery be to the liking but the officials will
puppets with
hands held all of the strings
The Sumners-Capper amendment would give Congress
by adding Constitution Congress
have power to provide that there shall be in the
the electors of
elected by the of the constituting
ernnent of the United States
shall determine All legislation
shall be subject amendment and repeal"
With this amendment added Constitution
legislation hereunder the people would
participating American citizens They would hen
elected representatives
and influence in the of the local
Nation all other American citizens.
Being then of the participant
slation both national potent
in bringing about improvements in the District
that they might desire would
getting satisfactory charter Congress
in which they have voting representation.
Those who ardnty support pending proposal
elective officers particular
by mere legislative local
daey While they admit the value the
sentation the national
take longer time
Congress ratified the Legislatures
States.
Advocates of national representation
hdent that would be ratified in short order the
would only the of the through
lures opportunity pass the amendment
The pending amendment to the Constitution
mtting justice body of
competent fellow Americans who
ship but denied the privileges participating
enment of their country Among these
abiding faith that their fellow Americans
would harken to their
District OF Columbia and It's people.
'omen Of the Moose M nv and Jean Brown 81 1917 sDr
meeting of all committee . In
an of Columbia Chapter will be Carolyn Wsns