Evening star., 1953-07-02
Quick Approval Seen
In Senate Group for
D. T.. Home Rule Bill
By Don S. Warren

A drive Tor enactment OF a
Washington home rule bill, spon-
sored by 80 members Of the
Senate, now is getting underway
with good prospects of speedy
approval by the Senate District
Committee.
The Senate is expected to pass
the bill, but how soon seems to
depend, first, on finding big
enough hole in the adjournment
log jam of business. and second,
on how much debate will come
from two declared critics-Sen-
ator Morse, Independent of
Oregon, and Senator Johnston,
Democrat, of South Carolina.
The bill for an elected form of
city government was given an
enthusiastic boost last night by
most of Is witnesses before the
judiciary Subcommittee of the
Senate District Committee.
Some Sharp OppOSltlOn.
Sharp opposition was voiced by
three witnesses, including Edward
F. Colladay, speaking for the
Washington Board of Trade.
Also, several proponents agreed
with Senator Morse in opposing
the provision of the bill that the
mayor be a Presidential ap-
pointee instead of subject to
election.
Senator Morse interrupted
testimony several times to ask
the staff of the District Com
mittee gather data on various
questions and this was ordered.
Staff officials said, however, they
thought this could be obtained
through the Library of Congress
within a day or two.
Senator Barrett, Republican, of
Wyoming. subcommittee chair
man. said he thought his group
would be ready to report the bill
in a matter of days, even after
acting on a number of proposed
amendments.
II am sure the bill will be ap-
proved by the full committee"
he said. 'I hope there will be
quick Senate approval. but that
may depend on finding some lag
in the present pressure of busi-
ness. 1t might have to be held
over until next year.
But, at any rate, I am sure
there is no chance of approval by
the House at this session of Con-
greSs." he concluded.
Chairman Case of the Senate
DiSctrict Committee, leading
sponsor of the pending bill,
opened the arguments for it by
saying the Supreme Court deci-
sion in the Thompson Restaurant
case had upheld the position he
and others had taken that Con-
gress could delegate law-making
powers to a municipal govern
ment here.
Samuel Spencer, chairman Of
the Board of commissioners, said
a majority of his board favored
enactment. Brig. Gen. Louis
Prentiss, the Engineer Commits
Sioner. being an officer of the
Army Engineer Corps, Mr.. Spen-
Ger said. withheld an opinion be-
cause the question was purely
political.
Wants Adequate Payment.
Mr.. Spencer. however. said he
believed the bill should include
a declaration for an adequate
Federal payment toward District
expenses. It's omission from the
bill. he said. was a serious lack"
since the proposed city council,
without it. would be handicapped
in planning city finances.
On this point Senator Case
said some members of the Sen
ate had told him they could not
vote for the suffrage bill if it
provided any kind of a formula
fixing the size of the Federal
share. One earlier home rule bill
did provide for such a formula.
Mr.. Colladay said the Board of
Trade directors had renewed
their traditional stand that the
District can achieve no real self
government without voting rep
resentation in Congress.
He renewed the trade body'S
view that the local suffrage bill
should be enacted only if
amendment to provide it shall
not go into effect until a con-
stitutional amendment is ratified
giving the District voting repre-
sentation in keeping with its
population. in Congress.
Il am firmly of the opinion"
he said, that now, with the
whole country aroused, this is