Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-04-30
IeHopes
To OK Bill
0nD.C.R Rule
Morse Coils II
A Lost Couse';
Meeting Opens

I
Senate District Committee
Chairman Bible. Democrat Of
Nevada. hoped 10 clear q home
rule bill today. despite a predic-
ton Of Senator Morse, Demo-
crat Of oregon, that the legisla-
ton was a lost cause"
Committeeman we're TO 20
into a $3.50 pm. closed session
locked In a dispute over two
conflicting bills to give the Dis
trict self government.
One sponsored by Senator
Morse calls for an elected
mayor and city council. The,
other drafted by the District
Commissioners with the sane
ton Of the White House would
set UP a territorial government,
with q presidentially appointed
Governor and elected assembly.
Senator Morse made It clear
he was unalterably opposed TO
the administration measure,
mainly because 1t hands the
President double veto power
once by choice OF the Governor.
and again by power to veto acts
Of the assembly affecting Fed
eral interests.
No Home Rule In Bill
There is no home rule in the
administration bill. at ALL" de-
clared Senator Morse. "The
only amendment would &C
cept would be by way Of a sub
stitute."
He saw no chance that the
committee would substitute his
bill. however. He also saw no
chance that the House would
either hold q hearing or con-
slider the administration bill,
which appears to be favored by
the majority Of the Senate unit,
Both Senators Bible and
Clark, Democrat OF Pennsyl.
vania. who heads the District
Judiciary Subcommittee, have
indicated the Morse bill is the
better Of the two home rule
proposals. But they back the
administration bill because
they think 1t has a better
chance Of House passage.
Senator Beall, Republican of
Maryland. another District
committeeman. reiterated his
support Of the administration
bill on the same grounds.
II would be willing to amend
the administration BILL" ne
said. Il want to see legislation
the House might 60 along with
and the House never would 20
for the Morse bill"
Target Of Morse Attack
This was precisely the posi- |
ton that Senator Morse at
tackled most bitterly.
Most Of the opposition to an
elected city council within the
District committee is not on
the merits Of my BILL" Senator
Morse maintained. THE o.
ponents say my bill is better. /
But they say the House won't
pass IL.
Then. they make as assump- |
ton, which / think is false,
that the House will pass the
administration BILL" he added.
Senator Morse said he was
tired Of his committee COL /
leagues and Washington home
rule supporters who told him,
We think you're right, Sena-
tor. but. :"
These buffers" are sacrific-
ing their home rule ideals, he
said, and throwing away sound |
principals Of self-government /
on q faulty assumption OF
House action.
He said he would move at to-
days meeting that the Senate
committee postpone action on
either pending bill until the
House sends a bill to the
Senate.
II Senate committeeman re-
port out the Administration
bill, they will be sending it to
its death in the House, anyway,
according to Senate Morse.
The pessimism Of Senator
Morse, a leading home rule
champion, was regarded as a
significant indication that Con-
gress would ignore self-govern-
ment proposals again this ses-
sion, regardless Of Senate ac-
ton.