Evening star., 1951-10-21
DecentraIiziinq
And Home Rule
Bills Delayed
Stoy on Calendar;
Record Spending
For D. G. Voted
By Harold B, Rooers


the second session a number of
bills including controversial meas
ures for Washington home rule,
and decentralization of Federal
Government workers.
A new all-time high for city ex-
penditures, about $144 million,
was enacted. according to an esti-
mate last night by District Budget
Officer Walter L. Fowler.
Chairman Mcmillan of the
House District Committee piloted
the last purely local bill through
its final step in Congress yester-
day morning when he got the
House to pass and send to the
White House a 10 per cent pay
raise for police, firemen. teachers
and per diem workers.
Civil Defense Fund Voted.
The last action of Congress
affecting the District was appro-
priation late yesterday of $275, 900
for District civil defense, a sum
much smaller than requested by
the District Commissioners. The
fund was in a supplemental bill
carrying large funds for federal
agencies.
Funds for many capital outlays,
including schools, the East Capitol
Street Bridge. highways and
sewers were appropriated, bring
ing the total for these improve
ments up to about s1s million. Mr.
Fowler said.
In addition. Congress authorized
during the last few days salary
increases for virtually every Dis
trict government employe, in
cluding classified workers.
The pay boosts will cost about
$6 million, Mr.. Fowler estimated.
but can be paid as soon as the
paper work can be done, without
waiting for Congressal appropri-
atlons. Funds are on hand to
meet these expenses now, and
should enable payment OF the
raises. including back pay to July
!, before Christmas. he said.
Increases Limited.
Per diem workers for the Dis
trict. National Capital Parks, and
the White House grounds were
authorized increases not greater
than those prevailing for similar
work in the District.
After long hearings by special
crime subcommittee of the House
District Committee, the so-called
Davis bill with some 80 crime
curbing provisions passed the
House.
The Senate District Committee
held days hearing on the Davis
bill then held it up for future con-
sideration when the Senate ap-
proved a $25.000, four month in
vestigation of crime and alleged
corruption here. A special Senate
District crime subcommittee
finally found a counsel to direct
the investigation. The way now
Is cleared for a crime probe dur
ing the recess with hearings ex-I
pected in January.
Bills Stay Alive.
Many pieces of helpful legisla-
ton were enacted in the session.
for District agencies and people
But bills which failed of enact
ment will remain alive when the
second session opens in January
Most controversial, perhaps, is.
the bill for Washington home rule.
This proposal for limited form
of self-government here was dis
cussed briefly on the Senate floor
yesterday afternoon.
Pending on the Senate calendar
the measure is expected to come
up again for debate and a vote.
Senate Majority Leader McFar-
land indicated he would make
way for action on the measure
next year.
The home rule bill Is cham
pioned by Chairman Nicely of the
Senate District Committee, who
referred to it last night in a Bit
ter speech attacking the Senate
for wasting SO much time in talk
He predicted the bill could have
been passed if the Senate had de-
voted more time to work instead
of speeches.
Johnston Was Ready.
Senator Mcfarland indicated he
, might have called the home rule
bill up for action, but he knew
that Senator Johnston. Democrat,
of South Carolina. foe of home
rule was ready with some "re-
marks" AS a matter of fact, the
South Carolinian was ready to-
f1libuster the home rule bill at
length.
Senator Johnston has served
notice he is ready to fight any
motion in the next session to call
the bill up.
The bill, reported favorably by
the Senate District Committee,
would provide for a mayor ap-
pointed by the President, an
elected city council. an elected
school board, and a non-voting
House delegate.
The bill for decentralization of
$4,000 Federal workers out of the
Washington metropolitan area to
some place at least $50 miles dis
tant from the White House was
passed by the Senate and sent to
the House, where 1t remains on
the calendar.
Beck Issue Undecided.
Another controversy which goes
into the next session is over the
Presidents nomination of his old
friend. Earl Wayne Beck. colored,
of Kansas City, to be Recorder of
Deeds here.
The Senate District Committee
to which nomination was referred,
refused to approve Mr.. Beck.
The perennial row over daylight
saving was solved for one year
only and will come up again early
next year, because Congress re-
fused to grant the city heads per-
yoonapt ai1thnrity m MT n fpfo