Evening star., 1947-12-18
Truman Backs
|AuchincIoss on
Home Rule Plan
Subcommittee Confers
With President on
Bill to Be-Introduced

President Truman today ex-
pressed approval "in principle"
Of the Auchincloss plan for home
rule IN the District, Representa-
tive Auchincloss, Republican, Of
New Jersey said after he and
members of his Subcommittee on
District Reorganization had con-
ferred with the President for
nearly half an hour.
Mr.. Auchincloss said the Presi-
dent showed deep interest" in the
plan and the New Jersey Repre-
sentative added that I'VE leave the
White House very much encouraged
that our work is appreciated by the
President if not by District OF CO.
lumbia residents"
Representative Auchincloss said
he expects to introduce legislation
to provide for home rule shortly
after the first of the year and
that the Senate and House District
Committees will hold joint hearings
on the matter.
Legislation to carry out the pro-
posals in the Auchincloss subcom-
mittee report Is being drafted by
legislative counsel, he explained.
Truman's Views Were Sought.
Chairman Auchincloss said the
meeting with the President was ar
ranged today because members Of
the subcommittee wanted to get his
views on the plan.
Only one member of the District
Reorganization Subcommittee, Rep
resentative Mcmillan, Democrat, Of
South Carolina, was missing from
the meeting today.
Others. who attended were Repre-
sentatives Jones, Democrat, of Ala
bama; McGarvey, Republican, Of
Pennsylvania; Jones, Republican, of
Washington; Allen, Republican, of
California, and Deane, Democrat, Of
North Carolina, who arranged the
meeting
Mr.. Truman's views on home rule
were expressed earlier in an official
message to Congress January 81,
1916. The Chief Executive at that
time said:
"The District of Columbia, because
of its special relation to the Federal
Government, has been treated since
1900 as dependent area. We
should move toward a greater meas
ure Of local self-government con.
sistent with the constitutional status
Of the District. We should take ade-
quate steps to assure that citizens
of the United States are not denied
their franchise merely because they
reside at the Nations Capital"
Ball Favors Joint Hearings.
Chairman Ball Of the Home Rule
Subcommittee of the Senate District
Committee yesterday reported the
majority of his unit favors the joint
a congressional time-saver.
Legislative experts now are whip
ping into shape the first draft Of .
200-page omnibus bill to carry out
proposals Of the Auchincloss report.
When Congress reconvenes in
January, it is expected duplicate
bills will be introduced In both the
11OuOC u4lS SClldGCs S1ld4ll1d44 kAoSA-
incloss of the House group hopes
hearings can be started before the
end of next month.
Meeting Falls Through.
The plan proposes an elected city
council as the legislative body for
the District but reserves veto pow
ers to congress and to the President.
An informal meeting Of the House
and Senate Home Rule Subcommit-
tees had been scheduled for yester-
day afternoon, but Senate members
were unable to attend because Of
the pressure of other Senate busi-
ness. Senator Ball, Republican Of
Minnesota, meeting later with DR..
George w. Galloway and Clarence
M. Pierce Of the staff Of the House
subcommittee, said the majority Of
his unit favor joint hearings.
He suggested they proceed with
such arrangements, although formal
action will have to be taken later.