Evening star., 1948-02-11
Home Rule Changes
Urged at Hearings
Studied by Staff
By Don S. Worren

House-Senate Home Rule Sub
committee today began study of
possible revisions in the District
charter bill, with the thought
the 151-page measure may reach
the House floor early next
month.
Indications are that some of the
many changes recommended in the
eight days of intensive hearings,
ended yesterday, might be written
into the measure. There was no an
nouncement of what these might
be. They will be subject to future
committee action.
As the hearings closed Chairman
Auchincloss of the House Home
Rule Subcommittee issued a state
ment saying:
There is no doubt in my mind
from the testimony that a vast
majority of the people living in
the District are in favor of this bill.
Estimates Support.
Opponents of the measure, by
the most generous estimate, would
represent not more than $4,000 per-
sons, while those who appeared in
favor of the measure, either as it
is written or with some amend
ments, would represent approx
mately 100000 people.
Mrs. j. Borden Hartman, former
Minister to Norway, took the stanc
to say: II want to make 1t plair
at once that after IS years resi-
dence in the District I am fed ur
with taxation without representa-
tion, and that I am in favor of full
suffrage for the District.
IT only hope that this home rule
measure now proposed will not slow
down those who are working for an
eventual change in the Constitution
However, as I am fully convinced
that another form of government
than the present one is imperative
for the District, and as the pend
ing measure seems the best bill that
we can get for the moment, I am
for it. I am only sorry that it does
not go farther"
Opposed by Legion.
At the opposite pole, the legisla-
tive committee of the District De-
partment of the American Legion
was reported by its chairman, Je-
rome B. Mckee, to be opposed to
the bill in toto.
He declared the pending bill would
not give the District "home rule
protested that the people who now
want to play politics" were not
on hand when the Bates-Cain Fis-
cal Joint Committee considered the
last city tax bill and found many
faults in the city suffrage plan.
| He protested that the plan woule
give the council blank check" tt
spend District tax funds and sale
it would give the council-appointeo
city manager more power than evel
had been vested in the District
Commissioners.
Praising the engineer divisions o1
the District, now headed by ar
Army Corps of Engineers officer. Mr.
Mckee said: "Our water supply
originates many miles away in ar
adjoining State. Who would protec
the original streams, the source o.
supply down through the distribu
ton in the event of germ war
Imagine the responsibility of th'
city officials to combat bacteriolog
ical warfare or sabotage"
States Polled on Dual Voting.
On the dual suffrage plan to per
NIT persons resident here for a yea
to vote, although they also CLAIM
legal domicile in the States, sur
yey of the attitude Of State official
was made by the committees staff
DR.. George B. Galloway and Clar
ence M. Pierce. They reported that
out of Al replies received from th'
Governors of their legal aides. 8
were favorable, indicating no chal
lenge to the voters franchise bacl
home for voting for District Of
ficials. Eight were unfavorable ant
two replies left doubt.
Clifford H. Newell. past presiden
of the Federation of Citizens Asso
Citations, testifying for the Arkansa
Avenue Citizens Association, sup
ported the city suffrage plan. Unde
committee questions, he said HI
would be willing to have his take
increased If he felt he had part IL
the decisions as to tax and spend
ing.
A statement by George w. Absher
president of the Hillcrest Citizens
Association, supported the bill II
principle.