Evening star., 1951-08-31
Truman Urging Fails
To Guarantee Senate
Action on Home Rule
D. LAR Ran
By Harold B. Rogers

Whether home rule leg1SlaClon
for Washington will come up for
action on the Senate floor before
this session of Congress adjournS
remained uncertain today.
President Truman called again
yesterday for passage Of legisla-
ton giving residents of this city
a vote in management Of their
own affairs. He told a press con-
ference he had been fighting for
such legislation for II years and
hopes the city gets it.
He was answering a question
about the new compromise plan
awaiting action on the Senate
floor, after being reported by the
Senate District Committee.
Majority Leader Mcfarland, in
formed of the Presidents state
ment, said he has promised re-
Ipeatedly to bring the measure up
for action early as possible.
Timing Unpredictable.
In view of the heavy pressure
on the Senate program to pass
must" legislation, he declared it
is impossible to predict when the
bill might be called.
He has promised to sandwich in
the home rule bill between the
must" legislation. The Senate
now is debating the foreign aid
bill and expects next to take up
either the long-pending. House.
passed, but much amended. tax
bill and the big ST billion appro-
priation bill. Target for adjourn
ment of Congress has been fixed
Iby Senator Mcfarland as Octo-
ber l.
Proponents of the legislation
reacted quickly to the Presidents
statement, but opponents appar-
emily, remained determined tc
fight the legislation.
Senator Kefauver. Democrat, OF
Tennessee, former chairman OF the
Senate Crime Investigating Com
mittee. said he has been interested
lin. and has worked for, home rule
ever since he has been in Congress
first in the House and now in the
Senate.
In Both Party Platforms.
Expressing qualification that the
President, has come out again II
favor of home rule. Senator Ke'
Ifauver said he hopes the President
personally will urge Senate leaders
to get the measure definitely II
the program for Senate action be-
fore adjournment of this session
Platforms of both the Demo
cratic and Republican Parties
Senator Kefauver pointed out
have indorsed home rule fol
Washington.
I'VE should now go ahead anc
get something DONE" he declared
Senator Case, Republican, Of
South Dakota, ranking Republi.
can on the Senate District Com
mlttee a co-sponsor of the new
home rule bill now pending on the
Senate floor, said he was glad tt
hear of Mr.. Truman's pronounce.
ment at his news conference.
IF the President will tell hi'
leaders in the Senate to put il
on the must list, it ought to gel
prompt consideration" he as
serted.
Several Southern Democrats
however, are ready to make q
strong fight against the bill. Sen
ator Johnston, Democrat, of South
Carolina has said he is prepared
to speak at length in an attack
on the measure.
ElIender Blocked Consideration.
Senator Ellender. Democrat, OF
Louisiana earlier this week OBJ
jected to consideration of the
home rule bill during a call OF
the Senate calendar, and the
measure was blocked by his single
objection.
The pending legislation is 9
compromise between an earlier
form of home rule legislation fol
Washington, passed by the Senate
but pigeonholed by the House Dis.
Itrict Committee in the 81st Con.
gress.
The present measure provide!
flor an elected non-voting delegate
In the House, a Mayor appointed
by the President and confirmed
by the Senate, an elected city
council of Is members, and az
elected school board.
The city council would be EN-.
powered to act on city ordinances
approve an annual budget ane
levy taxes, with all its acts sub.
ject to the overriding power o.
Congress, which has Constitutions
Authority over Washington as tn,
seat of the Federal Government.