Evening star., 1948-05-25
Authors Fight for Bill.

ative Harris OF Arkansas and Mr..
Aoernethy, all Democrats. They
were aided by Representative Col
mer, Democrat, Of Mississippi,
who insisted that a quick way to
dispose of the bill at this late date
in this session would be to defeat
the rule, This suggestion was
promptly rejected by Rules Com
mittee Chairman Allen. who insisted
the House be given a chance to vote
on the issue.
When Mr.. Harris and Mr. Aber-
nethy made violent attacks on the
bill, before the test vote on adop-
tion Of the rule, Chairman Dirksen
rose to its defense.
Cites Cost and Effort.
Leaving the center OF the well,
where he had the voice amplifica-
ton system. he marched up and
down before the rows of seated Rep
resentatives to shout: 1T would be
a piece OF sheer stupidity to throw
away $4,000 and a year OF work. y
He referred to the amount OF House
funds spent on the bill and the
time the District Committee had
devoted to its preparation.
He told the House that, by its
own resolution. it had not only d.
rected the District Committee to
make an investigation of the Dis
trict Government, but also had dl-
rected 1t to report its recommends
tions.
To throw all this out Of the
window" even before the jury
(meaning the House, had chance
to hear the case, as proposed by Mr..
Harris, he charged. would be silly,
folly and stupidity of the grossest
order"
Turning to history Of Colonial
days, Mr.. Dirksen recalled there
was Roger Sherman who viewed
the proposed Constitution and cried,
TT won't work. 1t won't work"
Madison Quoted.
Thank God" Mr.. Dirksen add
ed. "the people CONCERNED didn't
follow Roger, Sherman. And here
today we want a little democracy in
our Nations Capital in keeping with
the concepts of the Constitution"
He described local suffrage for the
District as unfinished business un-
der the Constitution" and quoted
Madison in his Federalist papers as
saying in the National Capital there
would be a local government de
rived from their own suffrage"
He answered opponents argu-
ments that an early form Of local
self government got the District so
heavily in debt that it had to be
rescued by the United States. Mr..
Dirksen specified that this resulted
from the dereliction of the presiden-
TALLY appointed Governor. BOSS"
Shepherd.
AS chairman of the Board of Pub
lie Works, Governor Shepherd Or
dered Improvements that got the
District out of the mud but into
debt. he explained.
Chairman AuchincloSs, who took
the floor twice to defend the limited
local suffrage plan, fatty challenged
statements that the District had the
best city government in the country.
He contended the present setup lis
about as confused and as mixed-up
a conglomeration Of bureaus and
agencies as can be found anywhere"
Notes Room for improvement.
Mr.. Auchincloss, veteran men,
ber of Congress with experience in
both business and politics in the
New York area, declined to pass
Judgment as to whether Washing
tons administration was relatively
free of graft or dishonesty" but as
serted his subcommittee study
showed there was great room for
improvement" in the Districts ad-
ministrative form.
Referring to the history OF many
other studies Of the city govern
ment here, he said these have dem
onstrated the present system is
cumbersome, complicated and con-
fused"
He contended that majority OF
District residents want local SUI
frage, consistent with the constltu-
tional requirements, giving Congress
final authority. Exceeding care was
taken in preparation of a bill, he
explained, with preliminary hearings
beginning June 80 of last year, when
96 witnesses testified, and with many
l. lot
Mr.. Mcmillan said the "so-called
home bill would do nothing but
create confusion in Washington. y
He charged there is certain
crowd here in Washington who
would like to take over the reins OF
the Federal Government"
IT know who wants this type OF
legislation in Washington" he as
serted. II regret that they have
gone this far"
Praises Present Form.
He praised the present appointive
commission form Of government,
saying no city in the United States
is getting along as we'll as the Dis
trict.'
Mr.. Harris, who raised the race
issue in his fight against the BILL
quoted from a statement written
by DR.. George B. Galloway. staff
director of the Home Rule Subcom-
mittee, saying that the proposed
dual voting" provision was intend
ed to "maximize the white element
in the District electorate and pro-
vide double check against
minority rule.
Mr.. Harris argued the measure
was not home-rule bill, but was
a "dual-rule bill" since 1t would
permit persons resident here for q
year and otherwise qualified, In
cluding members e1f Congress. to
vote in municipal elections here. al
tsouet they also maintained voting