Evening star., 1947-07-25
SD. {. Officials
Say Autonomy
|sEnough Now
Express Satisfaction
With Present Status
At Home Rule Hearing

Officials of five independent local
boards expressed general satisfac-
ton with their present autonomy
today as a special subcommittee OF
the House District Committee COM
pleted hearings on District home
rule.
Testimony presented by District
officials to the House group since
the hearings began on June 80 now
goes to the committee staff for study
of District reorganization proposals
When their analysis is completed
the home rule and reorganization
subcommittee, headed by Repre-
sentative Auchincloss, Republican, OF
New Jersey, will weigh recommended
changes in the organic act encom-
passing local government functions
an act dating back to 1878.
Officials Submit Reports.
Earlier today, a special subcom-
mittee investigating the powers OF
independent boards, commissions
and agencies in the District heard
reports from James H. Flanagan
chairman of the Public Utilities
Commission; A. Oliver Thornton
deputy recorder of deeds; Edward
E. Bailey, jr., superintendent OF
licenses, and Alfred F. Jordan
Superintendent of insurance.
Representative Deane, Democrat
of North Carolina. acting subcom-
mittee chairman, also accepted fol
inclusion in the record statement
from Peoples Counsel John ODea
who was said to be prevented by ILL
ness from appearing in person.
Mr.. Bailey recommended that al!
licenses in the District be issued
from one central point. There are
now IA commissions and boards
which give permits to business en-
terprises here, he pointed out. He
said such licenses could be given
by his department after applicants
had been approved by the agency
examining them.
Presidential Power Upheld.
Mr.. ODea's statement supported
appointment of the Peoples Counse
bv the President rather than by
District official. The post, he pointed
out, requires the counsel at time u
oppose the PUG in court action.
I'm such a CASE he declared
IF the Peoples Counsel was ap'
pointed by the head of the Distric
government, attorneys appointed b.
the Commissioners of the Dlstrlc
of Columbia would be adversarles II
the same proceedings.
Emphasizing the continued neet
of such an official, Mr.. O'Dea said
Attendance by the Peoples Counse
at all of the meetings of the Public
Utilities Commission affords th'
citizens the opportunity to have
their views made known on all mat
ters before the Commission.
The fact that there is a People!
Counsel, without any other consider
alton, tends of itself to act as
check on the action Of the Public
Utilities Commission"
Mr.. Flanagan expressed the view
that the Public Utilities Commls'
sion should continue to be appointed
. by the President rather than by
District official.
Points to Trend in States.
He opposed any move to grour
the activities with those of othel
District agencies regulating differ
ent types of business enterprise
The trend In most States, he as
serted, is to keep utility regulation
entirely separate, and even to Sc
up different agencies for the regula
ton of individual utilities. He alst
opposed replacing the present com
mission by a single administrator.
Mr.. Thornton said he thought th'
Recorder of Deeds should be al
elected post, rather than appointed
by District officials. if the presen
system of presidential appointment
is discontinued under home rule.
Mr.. Jordan said the Department
of Insurance is functioning salts
factorily in its present status o
responsibility to the District Com
missioners, with a wide latitude TO
judgment in its operation.