Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-08-08

force a fioor vote, 2l9 sigma
lures are required.
After Southern Congressman
attacked the Multer petition
limit of one hour on debate,
other home rule supporters
began seeking House sentiment
on a new petition stretching
debate to two days. This group,
led by Representative Udall,
Democrat of Arizona, hopes to
meet Monday to decide whether
to file a new petition.
Mr.. Abernethy insisted that
his amendments went to the
substance of the legislation,
rather than to tactics involved
in House action.
you can't tell me that an
83-page bill cannot be improved
by amendment" he said.
Foley Questioned
He made his surprise sug-
geStion as he was questioning
Representative Foley, Demo-
crat of Maryland, before an
audience of about so at Dis
trict subcommittee hearings.
Mr.. Foley had been discussing
city financing under home rule
with acting subcommittee
Chairman Matthews, Democrat
of Florida.
Washington has m a de
reasonable progress without
debt" the Mississippi Repre-
sentative maintained.
Until last year, law barred
the District Commissioners
from borrowing money for pub
lie works. Congress authorized
last session borrowing from the
Federal Treasury, and the first
loan to be received by the Dis
trict under this authorization
was granted in the budget for
the current fiscal year.
Before the present form of
government in the District was
established in 1878, Congress
allowed an old territorial gov
eminent to float bonds. A
public works board sunk the
city into debt to raise money
for needed Capital improve
ments. Congress then pro-
hibited borrowing.
Financing Problem
Representative Matthews,
presiding at the hearing, said
one of the biggest problems
posed by home rule was finan-
cial.
Citizens of this city have
uper-privileges in the area of
Federal aid. Can they at the
same time expect to have
super-voting privileges?" he
asked.
He said he believed the Fed
eral Government should APP
propriate more than the an
nual $25 million Federal pay
ment granted by Congress this
year.
yet, if the people of the
District feel like they have frus-
trations with Federal financing
now, I think they'll feel more
frustrated with home rule" he
said.
will District citizens be
willing to assume spending now
shouldered by the Federal Gov
eminent for parks and play
grounds in the area?" he asked
Mr.. Foley, who was testifying
in favor of the territorial bill,
which he co-sponsored.
Cost Problem Conceded
Mr.. Foley conceded that ap-
portionment of Federal and
District costs would continue to
be difficult.
But self-government will
result in increased RESPONSE
bilities of citizens" he said. II
would predict that the cost of
municipal facilities to District
citizens would increase and the
cost to the Federal Government
decrease under home rule.
He indicated that appro-
pirate protection of Federal
aid could be gained through
separate legislation fixing a
formula for the Federal share.
Representative Harmon.
Democrat of Indiana, said he
would like to sponsor legisla-
ton to retrocede the District
back to Maryland. Mr.. Foley
said he would have to oppose
retrocession because he could
hear mo clamor from the
people for that solution"
Besides, retrocesSion would
leave in a Federal area Federal
institutions such as Soldiers
Home and st. Elizabeths Hospi-
tai. Residents there st'l would
be diSenfranchiSed, Mr.. Foley
pointed out.
Opposition witnesses have
been called to the next subcom-
mittee hearing at 10 am. Au-
gust IA.