Evening star., 1948-04-11

democratic and efdcient city gov
ernment which is long overdue.
In addition, he said, 1t would pro-
vide a means of relieving Congress
OF its petty District business" while
still retaining ultimate congressional
authority.
The plan, he concluded. should
commend itself both to Congress and
the people of the District.
Only Representative Mcmillan
Democrat, of South Carolina refused
to sign the subcomittee plan. join
ing with Chairman Auchincloss
New Jersey Republican, in sponsor
ing the measure, were Representa-
tives Allen of California, McGarvey
of Pennsylvania and Homer r.
Jones Of Washington, Republicans;
and Deane of North Carolina and
Robert E. Jones Of Alabama.
Mr.. Deane said the bill was pat
termed after the best systems in
operation elsewhere and was pre-
sented with considerable satisfac-
tion.' He said he hoped those who
may object to one or two features
would not let these blind them to
the main purpose. to restore de-
mocracy to the Nations Capital and
provide the machinery for an effi-
cient local government" He added
that provision is made for easy
amendment of the charter and asked
that it's original terms be given
the test of time.
Allen Issues Statement.
MIR. Allen, In separate statement
also stressed that the redrafted bill
would make good beginning pos.
sible" and relieve Congress of some
of its government burdens
Changes may be required to adjust
it to new circumstances, he added
and the measure provides machinery
for amending the charter, including
use of the initiative by District
voters.
Senator Holland, Democrat, ol
Florida, had some doubts as to the
need for the District delegate anG
the charter referendum but sale
ne would support the measure with
Or without these features.
The proposed District delegate in
the House would have no vote there
but would serve as an official city
spokesmen and would carry much
of the load of District work for the
proposed Joint Congressional Com
mittee on the District.
Chairman Auchincloss recalled
that the District had a delegate
from 1871 to 1874 and that further
precedent was found in the present
delegates from Alaska and Hawaii
Such a delegate he said his sub.
committee believed would prove q
valuable addition" and materially
relieve the workload on Congress.
Would Be Spokesman.
"He would be familiar with Dis
trict problems and act as its spokes-
man on Capitol Hill. He coulC
introduce resolutions on District
legislative progress. 1t would bs
his task to receive petitions, con.
slider grievances and otherwise care
for District residents-thus freeing
other members OF Congress from
such burdens. As a member of thu
Joint District Committee, he woule
be very useful in giving other com.
mitteemen the District viewpoint.
Speaking Of the proposed chartel
referendum, Chairman Auchinclos
said this vote would resolve fo
all time the doubt as to whethel
the District wanted home rule
Submission of the charter to tn,
District voters, he added, would Civ,
the proposed new city government
sanction it could not have other
wise" and would obviate the charg,
that Congress was imposing a nev
form Of government against tn,
will of the people"
Other Changes Listed.
Among the many changes pro
posed in the final draft are those to
l. Establish the District librarie
as separate department under tn,
city manager, with a director ane
an advisory board, instead of a.
ia division under the elected schoo
board. Library officials had urget
that it be retained as at >presen
a separate organization under al
appointed board of trustees.
2. Place the present Highway De
partment under the proposed ney
Public Works Department, insteae
of leaving it as a separate unit, a
recently planned. This was don,
because its work Is closely related
to that of other engineering divi
sions, though it had been though
this would make the Public Work
Department too large.
3. Leave control and operation o
the Washington Aqueduct, the sup
ply and publication of the District
water supply, with the Army Engin