Evening star., 1953-01-12
Reactions Vary
On Cases Plan
For DC. Rule
Prentiss, CumuIier
Favor More Time
For Reorganization
BY Harold B. Rogers

By Harold B. Rogers
Mixed reaction developed to-
day as legislators and city off,
cials began study of the seven
point legislative program for
the District government pro-
posed by Chairman-designate
Case of the Senate District
Committee.
Aiming at eventual home rule
for Washington, the program
recommends increase of the
Board Of Commissioners from
three to five members, election
of non-voting delegate in the
House and of the Citizens Ad-
visory Council.
Other aims include more
power for the District Commis-
sioners, initiative and referen-
dunn procedures, and a city
primary law for election of dele
gates to party conventions.
Two of the District Commis-
sioners raised questions about
increasing the board to five
members.
Opposes Minority Designation.
Engineer Commissioner Louis
W. Prentiss said he had not
had time to study the program
in all details. But he believes
the Commissioners should not
be designated to represent any
minority group. "They should be
for all the people," he explained.
This was in reference to the
Case suggestion that the two
extra Commissioners should
make way for appointment Of a
woman and a Negro.
The Citizens Advisory Council
and public hearings. Gen. Prem
tiss said, now already give the
Commissioners a cross section
of Washington residents views,
representative of the city as a
whole.
Furthermore, he pointed out
that it would not be advisable
to have the advisory council
elected and the Commissioners
appointed. This would mix up
two different systems, he OBJ
served. giving each group a diff
ferent set of responsibilities-as
elective and appointive officials.
Sees Winning of Elections.
Gen. Prentiss doubted if any
city in the United States could
elect to their councils the cali
ber of citizens now on the Dis
trict advisory council. Some Of
the most influential and desir-
able members of the council here,
he predicted. would not run for
elective Office. They are serv-
ing from a purely patriotic and
public service standpoint, he said.
AS a matter of fact three COM
missioners, ne believed, are ade-
quate in number to do the job.
A representative from the Dis
trict in Congress, the Engineer
Commissioner said would be
"highly desirable"
But to begin a series of legis-
lative changes in the District
Government now while the mu-
nicipality is in the midst of its
current reorganization would not
be timely, he asserted. Any
more changes now would not be
desirable.
Camalier FavOrs Plan.
Commissioner Renah F. Cam
alier said that ''in the main" he
favored the general Case plan as
q long-range aim, but he found
fault with some details.
"While I do not object to an
increase in the number of Com
missioners," he commented,
consideration should be given
instead to giving the two civilian
Commissioners additional assist
ants. This would obviate the
necessity of increasing members
of the policy making board"
The Engineer Commissioner
already has two Army officers as
executive assistants, Mr.. CANA
lier pointed out. Some thought
should be given to establishing
the new offices of two assistants
to each of the other two Com
missioners. This would help
them in necessary studies of
budgets and in handling their
administrative responsibilities"
Before many more changes are
made in the city government,
Mr.. Camalier observed, the
municipality should be given the
opportunity to settle down un-
der the current reorganization
program now under way.
1.-THE city government has been
f1oundering," he declared, "but
we are trying to improve it with
reorganization"
Few Comment on Hill.
Commissioner F. Joseph Dono-
hue, who long has been a cham
pion of home rule here, was not
available for comment.
On Capitol Hill few legisla-
tors had been able to make a
complete study of the Case pro-
posal, and withheld comment.
Senator Hunt, Democrat, Of
Wyoming complimented Senator
Case for taking such an interest
in the District and predicted he
would be of great service"
The legislator, who may not be
on the new Senate District Com
mittee, added, however, he would
want to hear from the District
Commissioners and other off,
cials in the city government.
eff you are going to have home
rule" he declared. ''in my opin-
i'm vol1 ShoIl1d on all the wov