Evening star., 1948-01-20

tives OF the committee would be
directed even to attend all meetings
of the District Council, its budget
hearings, sessions of the Board of
Public Education and other boards
and commissions, to keep Congress
fully informed"
The plan, therefore, presents the
prospect that an intelligent, elected
city government would be permitted
to run its own affairs, with safe
guards against trespass on Federal
interests. These safeguards lie in
a requirement that any substantive
legislation be subject to a 30-day re-
view before Congress, plus 10 days
before the President, with possible
veto at either end of Pennsylvania
avenue. Substantive law proposals
would include tax bills, definition of
crimes and changes in organic laws
Of the District.
The council would be forbidden by
the act from passing any legislative
proposal or ordinance Cd imposing
any tax on the United States prop
erty; ca granting any exclusive
priyilege, immunity or franchise;
90 Ihorizing any lottery or the
sale of lottery tickets, or authorizing
any form of gambling; a. authoriz-
ing use Of public money in support
OF any sectarian, denominational
or private school; (6 lending the
public credit for support of any pri-
vate undertaking, or (6) amending
titles OF the act relating to the Joint
Committee or outlining action by
Congress and the President on legis-
lative proposals and zoning ordi-
nances.
Emergency Powers.
Powers of emergency action would
be given joint committees, since
here would be periods of congress
sional adjournment beyond 80 days,
and since also needs of immediate
legislative action might arise even
when Congress was sitting.
In such instances, the council
would present its legislative pro-
posal to the joint committee. If
approved there, the President of the
Senate and the Speaker of the
House would be authorized to certify
the action of the council, which then
would have the effect of law. In
case of vacancy in the Office of
Senate President or Speaker, the
majority leader of the Senate or
House could act.
Because of the difficulties of the
transition period from the old to
the new city administrations, tenn
porary extraordinary powers also
would be conferred on the joint
committee. This unit would be Gre
ated Immediately after the charter
became effective. From this date
until January /, 1949, the joint COM
mittee would have plenary powers,
to be exercised by majority vote.
Laws" Could Be Repealed.
Any resolution adopted during
this period would have the force of
law until June 80, 1949 (three
months after the first council and
first elected school board took Of
fice), unless repealed by law enacted
oy Congress or by resolution adopt
ed by the Joint Committee, or by
the terms of the resolution 1t
ceased to be in effect at an earlier
date.
The measure would authorize
100000 to finance the work OF the
Joint Committee for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1949. 1t also would
authorize an appropriation OF ST.
000,0 900 for making advances OF
funds to the District to be used in
carrying ut provisions of the act.
Advances would be on vouchers
signed by the District auditor and
the executive officer of the Joint
Committee. They would be repaid
by the District.