Evening star., 1948-02-08

a minority opinion of the board on
the charter measure, but stressed
that the boards committee did
recommend approval OF the bill with
amendments"
DR.. Laurence F. Schmeckebier,
student Of government organization
and a former member Of the Brook
ings Institution. who Is the author
of an earlier plan for District re-
organization, called the Auchincloss-
Ball measure good BILL
Federal Members Urged.
1t would be advisable, he said, to
have Federal Government represen-
tation on the District council-a
suggestion disapproved by later wit
nesses. DR.. Schmeckebier also re-
commended that members Of the
Public Utilities Commission be ap-
pointed, as now, by the President
instead of by mayor.
The former Brookings expert ac-
cepted the idea of including in the
bill a formula fixing the size OF
the Federal payment to the National
Capital but urged that 1t be changed
to calculate the Federal share on
the basis of 100 per cent, instead OF
s7.5 per cent, application OF the
District tax rate to appraised values
of the Federal holdings here. Also,
he suggested the value of foreign
embassies and legations be included
ayoono Federal valuations,
He recommended against placing
exoficio Government officials on the
Zoning Advisory Board and urged
higher pay for the proposed three
member Board of Tax Appeals.
AS a witness for the washington
Housing Association, he urged that
the National Capital Housing Au-
thority be continued as separate
and independent national agency
since its operations extend beyond
the boundaries of the District and
the program for meeting the hous-
ing needs here will be metropolitan
in nature"
NCHA Would Stay Separate.
The pending measure would leave
the NCHA as a separate agency but
would place it under the revamped
city government.
DR.. Schmeckebier said he was
glad to note that that the measure
continues without change the Bu-
reau of Public Health Engineering,
District Health Department and
leaves the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission as a
separate agency. The bill, however,
would transfer land acquisition work
of the commission to the city.
Miss Bernice M. Lee took the
spotlight yesterday when she teStl-
fed that the Young Democrats of
the District, which she represented
had voted UNANIMOUSLY in favor of
the charter measure. She got praise
from the committee and applause
from the audience.
Said Chairman Auchincloss Ca Re-
publican), 1--WE thank you very
much-we wish the Republicans
would show up as Well-1 always
knew there were some good Demo-
Gratis around here"
Manbeck Gives Approval.
Not to be outdone, Representative
Deane, Democrat. of North Carolina
said I'VE want to show our colors"
and lauded the vital interest shown
by the good ladies of the District. "
A spokesman for labor added his
approval of the bill Jesse B. Man
beck, former president of the Co
lumbia Typographical Union, and
also secretary of the Central Suf-
frage Conference, who appeared also
as secretary of the District Society
of the Sons of the American Revo-
| luton, said:
1T is my opinion that the pas
sage of the. Auchincloss bill would
be in full accord with the principles
and objectives Of the founding IA
thers of our country and would in
no wise be a violation of the =
Constitution or any of its amend
ments."
Briefs of views of other witnesses
include the following:
William H. Benhof, president
Anacostia Citizens Association: For
the bill. Some high officials. op-
| posing it, seem to be fearful OF