Evening star., 1947-07-25
Senate Styniies
Charter Plan,
Police Probe
Opponents Propose
Delay in Blocking
1lth-Hour Passage
By Harold B. Rogers

Blocked in the Senate. two Dis
trict measures-to investigate police
administrations here and to set up a
Federal city charter commission
will have to overcome strong OPP
position if they are to become law
before Congress adjourns tomorrow.
Senator Johnston, Democrat, Of
South Carolina, whose objection
vote on the police probe
yesterday, told the press later he
intends to fight the measure every
time it comes up this week.
80 far as I am concerned, there
won't be any money available for
such a police investigation until the
January session of Congress at
least" he declared
Pointing to the pending resolution
for $25,000 to finance the police in
quiry, Senator Johnston asserted at
would be waste of money-just
like throwing money down a rat
hole"
Urges Time to Cool Off"
Maj. Robert j. Barrett, new super
of Metropolitan Police, he
said, had not had time to establish
his new regime before the investi-
CATION was proposed.
Lets give them time to cool of,
settle down and think 1t over, SEN
etor johnson declared. II think
that is best for the city and for the
citizens of the District"
Maj. Barrett already had called
on the FBI to make suggestions for
improvements in the police admin
istration, the Senator asserted.
From police records, Senator john
son said he had obtained lists OF
many robbery reports which had
turned out to be false and should
not be included in crime statistics.
The public investigation resolution
was called up by Senator McGrath,
Democrat, of Rhode Island, sponsor
of the measure He told the Senate
Senator LANCER, Republican, Of
North Dakota, who blocked action
the day before. had withdrawn his
objection.
Explains Original Objection.
Senator LANCER later explained he
previously had been under the mis-
taken impression, when he objected,
that the new police chief had been
approved by the Senate District
Committee. The police superintend-
ent is appointed by the District
Commissioners, Senator LANCER said
he had learned, so he had Withdrawn
his objection to the probe.
The Federal city charter commits
sion was brought up by its sponsor.
Senator McCarran, Democrat, OF
Nevada. He made a strong appeal
on the floor for its consideration.
But action was blocked by objection
from Senator Revercomb. Repub-
lican, OF West Virginia, who said
the measure should have further
consideration before the Senate acts.
Senator McCarran rose later in
the Senate and Indignantly pro-
tested the blocking of his measure.
He charged that, at time when
we are doing everything we can to
discourage communism, to hold
up this measure by mere personal
objection, depriving million souls
of a voice in selection of their local
government, is incomprehensible."
Referring to the requested $25, 900
for the police investigation, Senator
McCarran said it was opportune
that Congress should give the peo-
pie here the right to select their
own officials, so that elected officials
and the police would be responsible
to their electorate.
Stresses Home Rule.
IF any Senator thinks of COM
munity in all of America which
should be deprived of voice in its
own government" declared Senator
McCarran, ironically" let him OBJ
ject. All this bill does Is to
give the people of the District the
right to try to formulate a charter
for home rule. There is not vote
in it for President, Vice President
or Senator, but only voice in their
own hcme rule. Let the people here
have a chance to express their own
choice"
Another bill blocked yesterday IN
the Senate, to limit the number of
taxicabs here, will continue to be
opposed by Senator Johnston. he de-
clared last night. The measure
would authorize the Public Utilities
Commission here to restrict the
number of cabs in Washington.
Il do not intend to let the big
taxi companies here get monopoly
in the business" he asserted.
House and Senate conferees late
yesterday agreed on compromise
bill affecting the Office OF Recorder
of Deeds.
The conference report. soon to be
acted on by both House and Senate,
would authorize the Recorder to
purchase photostat equipment to
copy deeds and other documents
and would give legislative authority
to the District Auditor to audit the
Recorders accounts.
Only these two comparatively
minor provisions remain out of a
comprehensive bill introduced in the
House, which would have given the
District Commissioners much more
authority over the office
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