Evening star., 1949-07-15
Hays Is GriF|ed
On Home Rule.
By yHouseGroup
Subcommittee Fires
Questions at Him as
He Backs Program
By Don S. Worren


Representative Hays, Democrat,
of Arkansas today appeared be-
fore House subcommittee to ap-
peal for grant of home rule to
the District and ran into a storm
of questions from subcommittee
members.
Mr.. Hays, who recalled that
he had flashed OUT at President
Truman's civil rights program,
said he had found one of
the Presidents recommendations
which he heartily approved. He
said this was the proposal to give
residents of the District voice
in local affairs.
Almost Immediately members
of the Judiciary Subcommittee of
the House District Committee
began firing questions at him.
Taking the lead in this, Repre-
sentative Abernetf1y, Democrat, of
Mississippi argued that no true
or real" home rule could be given
Washington without a change in
the Constitution. and he attacked
the present plans as synthetic
home rule" The proposed city
council, the Mississippian con-
tinued, would consist of straw
men" and would constitute a
proxy council"
Sees More Cost, More Work.
Mr.. Abernethy argued that the
result Of enactment of the Senate
passed Kefauver bill would be
greater expense and with members
and committees of Congress hav-
ing more work to do than they
now have in handling city legis-
lation.
Ten citizen witnesses were
scheduled to testify at the morn
ing session. but after one of them
testified, spokesman for Wash
ington's Public Library. the sub
committee interrupted the pro-
gram to hear Mr.. Hays.
Harry N. Peterson, librarian,
who spoke for himself and Albert
| w. Atwood. president of the Ii
brary Board of Trustees. appealed
to the subcommittee to keep
library control independent of the
| city reorganization under any
home-rule plan.
Support for the home-rule bills
was voiced by various Washington
groups In subsequent testimony.
Representation Stressed.
Opposition also was heard
again, particularly to home rule
without representation in Con-
gress and a vote in presidential
elections. 1t was registered by
the Junior Chamber of Commerce
Paul Matthews, president, re-
ported that a poll of members OF
the Junior Chamber showed that
76 per cent of members replying
to questionnaires voted against
home rule if not accompanied by
national representation. A SIM
liar stand was taken yesterday by
the Board of Trade as the result
of poll it took wherein 80 per
cent said representation should be
a part of any plan.
At the conclusion of today's
two-hour session. Chairman Nc
MILAN of the full District Com
mittee announced another hearing
would be held at 10 am. next
Wednesday. He said he hoped to
conclude the hearings at that
session.
Hays Sees One Basic Question.
Mr.. Hays told the subcommittee
the time had come for the Con-
gress to answer a fundamental
question. He said this was, Are
the people of the District entitled
to a voice IN their local municipal
affairs? He posed this as the
first thing the subcommittee
should answer before it undertakes
to determine details of any home
rule bill.
Until we do answer it." Mr..
Hays said, I'VE will continue to
be plagued eternally with this
issue"
Mr.. Hays agreed, there were
difficulties in determining the me-
chanics of. self government here.
He agreed that, under the Consti-
tuition, full and complete self
government cannot be extended
to the District. but argued this
fact was not fatal" to home-rule
proposals.
There would be symbolic val
|