Evening star., 1947-01-01

weary IN his fght TO give District
people a vote, like other citizens,
will reintroduce his national repre-
sentation resolution. This would
provide for constitutional amend
ment to enable Congress to grant
voting representation to the District
in both the House and Senate and
a vote in national elections.
Senator McCarran, Democrat, of
Nevada, also is expected to revive
his plan for Washington home
rule" His latest measure, which
reached the Senate floor late in the
past session but failed of action
called for creation of Federal
City Charter Commission to draft
home rule plan. 1t is expected
this will be reintroduced.
Likewise, he also may revive his
earlier detailed plan for council
manager form of District govern
ment. In the past session, this was
buried in the Senate District Com
mittee by its assignment by Chair
man Bilbo to subcommittee headed
by Senator O'Daniel, Democrat, of
Texas.
Funds for Hospital Center.
Congress will be asked early in
the session to provide funds for the
construction of the l,500-bed hospi-
tai center, to cost 10000 900, author
ized last year and for beginning a
wholesale attack on Washington S
slums, charted but not financed
by the 10Th Congress.
The question of money also will
determine how soon and how broad
ly the District may proceed with
new school construction. grant full
time class instruction to all pupils
and begin improvement programs
for health and welfare institutions.
At stake also are proposals for
more adequate pay for Washington
school teachers, the proposed eight
hour day for flremen, enlargement
of the police force, construction of
the long delayed new District Court
house, and increased allotments for
public assistance to catch up with
the inflated cost of living
OF vital Importance are proposals
for financing huge programs for
traffic relief highway projects and
for expansion of the water system
A beginning already has been
made in the multi-million dollar
highway improvement program with
approval of plans and financing for
the twin bridge over the Potomac
and the Dupont circle underpass,
but the expected adoption of the
proposed 1-cent incrase in the gaso-
line tax is needed to assure future
progress.
Suggested subsurface streetcar
routes through congested downtown
Washington and some of the more
major traffic freeway projects are
to be started in later years, but
something of general review OF
the whole program is expected to
be made this year by the House
District Committee.
In addition to questions Of current
appropriations for the water serv-
ices. the new Congress will receive
proposals for revamping top con-
trolls over the service.
Senator McCarran, Democrat OF
Nevada, former chairman OF the
Senate District Committee, is ex-
pected to reintroduce his measure
to establish a new water administra-
ton to replace the present hydra
headed management-one divided
between the District and the War
Department.
Water Payment Objective.
One of the objectives of his bill
would be to require the Federal
Government to pay for all the water
it now obtains free from the Dis
trict. With this and certain other
.objectives of the McCarran bill. the
Commissioners are in entire agree
ment; but the city headstake sharp
issue with other provisions, particu-
larly as to the means of financing
water service expansions.
AS promised last year, the Com
missioners have drafted bill of
their own. This, it is revealed. has
been approved by Federal budget
officials and is expected to be sent
to Congress early in the new year.
1t deals almost exclusively with
water service financing and would
authorize 25-year loans from the
Treasury, instead Of issuance of
bonds. 1t, too, would bring an end
to free Federal water, now costing