Evening star., 1946-11-12
Buck Fayors Se|f-RuIe
And Representation IN
Congress for D. c.
Probable New Head Of
Senote District Unit.
Will Sponsor Bill

Senator Buck, Republican, OF
Delaware, who probably will be
the new chairman OF the Senate
District Committee, today de-
clared the District should be
given both "home rule" and
elected representation in Con-
gress.
Here for few hours today, his
first statement, when asked about
his plans, was:
''Why can't Washington be given
self-rule?"
The Delaware Senator declared he
could see no reason why residents
Of the District should not be given
the right to vote In national elec-
tionS.
Supports Representation.
Asked II he meant that residents
Of this suffrage mo mans land
should be given elected representa-
ton In Congress, he replied:
Il should think So"
He added that Congress may have
reasons why this should not be done
but that, in his opinion, District
residents were entitled TO repre-
sentation.
He expressed q willingness TO
sponsor some sort of a home rule
bill or. q bill calling fcr creation OF
q charter eomlntssion or for stag
ing, at some appropriate time, an
oficiAl plebiscite Cd the question.
~ CQmments ~ Fiehiscite.
, In regard to the latter, he noted
reports Of the November 5 UNOFFICIAL
pIthi5ctte on Ss1izfaee questions,
commenting that the returns showed
Substantial najorities Of those par
ticipatine in the referendum to be
IN favor OF national and local suf-
frage. =.
Senator Buck reserved q decision
on just what home rule bill he
might support or father, saying he
wished to become more familiar
with what had been before Con-
gressional committees and what
proposals were being made by the
citizens.
He indicated his support for the
principles involved in the proposed
constitutional amendment author
izing Congress to grant the District
representation In Congress, which is
to be re-introduced In the new Con-
gress by Senator Capper, Repub-
lican. Of Kansas.
Would Seek Prompt Hearing.
Anticipating that home rule bills
might be introduced and referred tc
the District Committee. Senator
Buck said II he. is chairman, he
would promptly name q subcommit-
tee to consider the questions and
would ask for early and adequate
hearings.
7. Senator Buck said he was not ex-
actly anxious" to become chairman
of the District Committee. but that
he would be willing to take the post
On this committee he is outranked
by Senator Capper, but the Kansan
Is In line for Craftsmanship of the
Senate Agriculture Committee and
could not hold both posts.
4 Senator Buck asked reporters nu-
merous questions about the city gov
eminent and District legislation
and early In his conference, ex-
planned:
II have lot to learn about the
District"
To Seek Majority Wish.
He said being in charge Of Dis
trict legislation could be something
Of headache job" in trying to as
certain the wishes Of the majority
He indicated one Of his prime en-
deavors would be to ascertain what
District residents wanted and what
was best for their welfare.
f He has been 3 member Of the
committee Tor some years and was
o member Of the subcommittee
which in 1943 mace an investigation
Of conditions at Gallinger Hospital
The subcommittee report recom-
mended the custer Of several GAL
Ilinger oficials and top District Of
ficials.
Two years ago he opposed con-
firmation Of Commissioner Guy
Mason for another term In 'ofice
but said today. he was not inclined
to take this same position since he
felt the former superintendent at
Gallinger was the responsible Of
ficial in charge there rather. thar,
the Commissioners who were not
In the medical profession.