Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-06-02
Home Rule Bill
HearingsCa||ed,
Prospects Dark
Committee Members
Doubt House Action
At This Session
By Don S. Warren

Committee indicated today there
was only a slim chance that the
Washington home rule bill could
be sent to the House for action
at this session.
Hearings on the Senate-passed
bill for an elected and reorganized
city government here, and on
similar bills have been ordered by
District Chairman Mcmillan. But
it appeared this was in no wise
a guarantee that House action
could be taken before the con-
gressional recess.
Advocates said they would make
every effort to get a final answer
this session, but some conceded
it was more likely that the deci-
sion would be pushed over until
next years session Of the 81st
Congress.
Alternatives Weighed.
Proponents were faced with
this prospect:
If too many advocates testify
at the promised hearings. or talk
too long, it would delay action;
but If few or none testify this
might be taken to mean the city
suffrage bill had no real support.
Anyway, there will be some
delay before hearings are started
by the Judiciary Subcommittee of
the District group. Chairman Nc
MILAN said the subcommittee will
not start until after 1t had -leld
hearings first on bills for addi-
tional District judges and in
creases in their pay. While these
sessions may be begun promptly.
this problem would serve as a
showdown on home rule work.
Mr.. Mcmillan. Democrat, OF
South Carolina, however, has not
ruled out" action at this session,
He told reporters it might be pos
sible under some circumstances
for the city suffrage bill to be
sent soon to the House. Insisting
there was no desire to dodge" the
home-rule issue. he put 1t like
this:
mo one can predict how long
these (horne rule) hearings will
last. That will depend on how
many people desire to be heard
when the hearings are held" An
other consideration, he said. would
be how long the witnesses testi-
fed.
Backed in Principle.
Informal checks of House Com.
mittee member sentiment indicat-
ed that a little over half of the
Is members favored the genera.
idea" of Washington home rule
Some of those expressing sympathy
to the idea specified they were not
committed to any plan. A few OF
these. in fact, have voted against
city suffrage in the past when par
ticular issues came to a decision
That House Committee approval
would be an uphill battle also was
indicated from a study Of the
judiciary Subcommittee mem.
bership. Three of the seven mem.
bers are definitely opposed to any
bill such as passed by the Senate
One opposed a similar bill last
year; another is sympathetic
but doubtful, and only two are
known proponents - Representa-.
tives Auchincloss Of New Jersey
and Allen of California. both mem
bers of the group that last veal
drafted the Auchincloss home-rule
bill. This was recommended by
the District Committee. but failed
Of action In the House.
Willing for House Test.
One of the brighter spots in the
picture was that some District
committeeman who had doubts
about home rule or even were in
clined to oppose it said they were
willing to send the bill to the
House to let it devide the issue.
Chairman Harris of the judiciary
Subcommittee: II don't know how
Congress can delegate any OF its
exclusive legislative powers over
the District. as provided in the
Constitution, to any other agency"
Representative Bates, Repub-
lican, of Massachusetts,: ut would
be pretty difficult to say to any
man that he ought not to have the
right to vote on schools. police,
fire, health and welfare services
that so deeply affect him and his
family" He added that final
determination of District finances
should be kept in Congress.
Representative Buchanan, Dem
ocrat, Of Pennsylvania: I'm for
home rule and will join in any
move to get action by the full
committee.
Abernethy Against Bill.
Representative Abernethy. DEM
ocrat, of Mississippi: I'm against
the bill, first and all the way
through"
Representative Wadsworth. Re-
publican, of New York: II am glad
to see home rule on its way. !
supported it last year. I think it
will be reported by the House
Committee. I think House action
could be taken at this session.
Representative league, Democrat,
OF Texas: This is the capital of
the whole country-I want to
make darn sure it stays that way"
Representative Allen, Repub-
ucan, of California: I'm rather
optimistic. I think House action
possible this year. The District
government ought to have a sense
OF responsibility to its own people
Think that viii make for better
government. even with the local
politics that would develop"
Fayors House Decision.
Representative Jones, Demo
cSst. of Alabama said he wanted