Evening star., 1946-11-10
Wiley Pledges
|QuickAction.on
DC. Suffrage
Prompt Hearings
Promised If He
Heads Committee
By Corter Brooke Jones


Prompt hearings and quick ac-
ton, one way or the other, on Dis.
trict suffrage legislation were prom
ised yesterday by Senator Wiley,
Republican, of Wisconsin, who Is
slated to become chairman of the
Senate Judiciary Committee in the
new Congress. All such proposals
will be referred to that committee.
While Senator Wiley would not
commit himself on his attitude to-
ward suffrage for the Capital, he did
give assurance that 1t would receive
careful and speedy consideration.
He said the legislation would be
referred. to a subcommittee, which
would hold hearings at an early date
If these were held necessary.
Concerning his own views, the
Senator explained that If, as seemed
likely, he headed the Judiciary Com
mittee, he felt he should not pre-
judge legislation which 1t would take
up. He said he thought he should
approach 1t with an open mind.
Vote Killed Amendment.
When the Judiciary Committee
last session sidetracked the Cap
per-Sumners national representa-
ton resolution, Senator Wiley was
one of the members who voted
against 'recommitting 1t to a sub
committee. The move, in effect,
killed the constitutional amend
ment for that session. The subcom-
mittee had amended the measure
and recommended a favorable re-
port to the Senate. 1t was sent
back to the subcommittee "for fur
ther study"
Senator Capper, Republican, of
Kansas, has announced that he will
reintroduce at the new session the
resolution empowering Congress to
give the District national represen-
tation and suffrage. He also will
offer home rule bill. Both will
go to the new Judiciary Commit
tee.
Senator Wiley said he did not
believe in sitting on" measures in
definitely in committee, but in TAX
,g them up within a reasonable
time and disposing of them.
Asked about several interim NOM
nations for judicial posts which
will come up in the new Congress,
Senator Wiley said they would be
onsidered in q routine way.
Keech Nomination Included.
These include President Tru.
mans appointment of Richmond B.
Keech and Edward M. Curran as
justices of District Court and OF
George Morris Fay as United
States attorney here. Mr.. Keech
a former corporation counsel, more
recently has been a White House
aide. Mr.. Curran was district at
torney. Mr.. Fay has been with the
Justice Department a number OF
years.
Senator Wiley indicated he knew
nothing about these appointees. He
said, in general, that he would favor
confirming nominations except In
cases where there was convincing
evidence that the candidate was un-
trustworthy or incompetent.
The Wisconsin Senator made 1t
clear that he would not fight nomi-
nations on political grounds.
THE OAief Executive is charged
with the responsibility of making
these appointments" the Senator
told a reporter, land I favor letting
him exercise that authority. So far
as possible, the executive and legis-
lative branches should be kept sepa-
rate. But ours is a system of checks
and balances, and in instances
where there Is some real ground,
it is our duty to step in
Senator Wiley said he did not feel
that it made any difference whether
the legislative majority was of one
party and the President of another
the constitutional responsibilities
of both remained the same.
Senator Wiley's attitude led OBJ
servers to conclude there will be no
general swinging of the axe on Capt.
tol Hill when President Truman
makes appointments. Each is to be
considered on its merits.