Evening star., 1947-11-13
Officials Of j. ).
Told Of
.Vote|ess D. {.
Session in Nashville
Hears Of Hopes for
Home Rule Charter
By Don S. Worren

The story of Washington's condi-
ton of political peonage" was car
ried today to officers of municipal
tiles throughout the United States,
in session at Nashville, Tenn.
DR.. George w. Galloway, Library
of Congress legislative expert, out
lined to the National Municipal
League the hopes of the Home Rule
Subcommittee of the House District
Committee for a new District chart
er that would provide an elected
council form of govern
ment here.
The present setup,'he said, has re-
suited in system incredibly COM
plicated, confused and cumbersome.
Cain Approves Objectives.
Meanwhile, general approval of
the objectiveS of the House SUBJ
committee plan was voiced by Sem
ator Cain, Republican, of Washing
ton, who heads the Fiscal Subcom-
mittee of the Senate District CON-
mittee. handling District tax legisla-
ton. Without passing on details of
the plan of the Auchincloss House
Subcommittee he told reporters the
proposed elected council with an ap-
pointed manager was "the best tech
nical instrument for government of
a municipality"
At the same time, Chairman
Auchincloss of the House District
Home Rule Subcommittee. released
another supplemental statement on
the local suffrage proposal, stressing
the need for adoption of fixed
formula for measuring the size OF
the Federal payment to the District.
The Auchincloss plan proposes a
formula by which the United States
would pay in relation to the valua-
ton of its tax exempt land and
buildings.
Higher Payment Seen.
In these computations a theoret-
ical tax rate of $1.75 per $l00 valua-
ton would be used for Federal prop
critics, as against the actual So rate
applied to private holdings. The end
result. District Committee advisers
say, would be some increase in the
present $12,OO00O0 Federal payment.
Despite the condition of taxation
without representation that prevails
here, DR.. Galloway told the mu-
nicipal officials, more persons live
here than in 13 States of the Federal
Union.
They pay millions in taxes, are
exceptionally literate and have all
the earmarks of an advanced cul-
ture," he declared. But, believe it
Or not, they have no representation
in Congress and elect none of their
local officials
Federal, State, county and mu-
nicipal functions are scattered
among host of governmental agen-
cies without any apparent rhyme or
reason" Dr. Galloway said. "Au-
thority over District affairs is di-I
vided among many independent
boards and commissions. A dozen
agencies share the ordinance-mak-
ing power. Executive authority,
likewise, is hopelessly splintered.
cat the top of this crazy quilt
setup is a board of three Commis-
sioners who exercise split and in
effectual supervision of local affairs -
Outsiders Frequently Appointed.
Training and experience in city
administration, DR.. Galloway pro-
tested, is not now a test Of appoint
ment. He added that vacancies in
local judicial and administrative
posts often are left untitled for long
periods by a busy President.
Outsiders" he added, frequently
we're selected for such posts "to
the neglect and disappointment of
local talent
Describing the Chicken feed" of
District legislation with which the
District Committees now have to
contend, DR.. Galloway said it is
ridiculous" that the national leg
islature should have to deal. as it
did in the past session. with bills.
pertaining to the destruction of
starlings, District daylight saving
time, regulation Of the hours of
work of BARRIERS and the serving
of straws in Washington restau-
rants.
"It took acts of Congress" ne
told the National Municipal League,
"to change the name of Conduit
road to Macarthur boulevard and
to remove a couple of ancient posts
in front of the White House.
1T is absurd that Congress
should have to deal with such petty
matters when great issues of peace
and reconstruction are pressing for
decision" DR.. Galloway said.