Evening star., 1960-12-25
Success Predicted
For D. c. Suffrage
Bible Confident
His Own Stute
Will Rutify

Chairman Bible of the SEN
ate District Committee yester-
day predicted that the neces-
Sary 38 States will ratify the
constitutional amendment Civ
ing District residents the right
to vote for President and Vice
President.
Senator Bible, Democrat Of
Nevada, predicted that his own
State will ratify the '1ong over
due" franchise for District
residents in the legislative ses-
sion beginning January l6. He
said, on the WTOP-TV pro-
gram, "City Side" that he has
asked the Governor to include
the subject in his message to
the Legislature and is confident
of ratification.
7 Nevada, New York or Oregon
could become the fourth State
to ratify the amendment. Ha-
waii, Massachusetts, and New
Jersey already have ratified.
Three-fourths,. or 3S, of the so
States, must ratify to give
Washington the ballot.
Mr.. Bible. who said he ex-
poets to continue in the next
session of Congress as chair
man Of the Senate District
Committee. also. predicted tax
increases for District residents
within the year. He said he ex-
pected a realistic, if not popu-
lar, revenue measure would
have to be passed providing
liquor and property tax in
creases and an increase from 2
to 3 per cent in the sales tax.
Higher Payment Asked
II am not naive enough to
predict that the District will
receive the full $32 million
Federal payment that is au-
thorized," Senator Bible de-
clared, "but I do plead opti-
mism. The legislators must
realize the needs of this grow
ing metropolitan area. Every
one in the Nation has a stake
in this National Capital of ours.
The $32 million Federal pay
ment is merited."
He declared that Republican,
appointed District Commission
er Robert E. Mclaughlin should
be allowed to serve out his pres
ent term, which expires in June,
to qualify for a pension.
"It is somewhat customary"
said Senator Bible, Ito resign
when there is a change in ad-
ministration, but think 1t is
something that Commissioner
Mclaughlin should resolve
himself"
He pointed out that the term
Of Commissioner Mark Sulli-
van, jr., expires on January 20,
which would give President
elect Kennedy an opportunity
to appoint a new Commissioner
at that time.
Senator Bible said he would
press at the next session OF
Congress for an increase in
the number of judges of Juve-
nile Court.
1T will be one of my first
bills" he said.
Cites Backlog
He cited the backlog of 1900
cases now facing Juvenile Court
Judge Orm w. Ketcham and
called it an appalling figure
that is getting worse at a rate
of 100 cases a month.
Asked about the four-year
impaSse in the House District
subcommittee headed by Rep
reSentative Davis, Democrat Of
Georgia, on measures for in
creasing the number of Juve-
nile Court judges, Senator Bible
cited some figures. He said 80
per cent Of juvenile delinquents
here are Negroes and added:
1T seems to me it would be
a good thing to appoint a Negro
to be a Juvenile Court judge"
The fact that there are many
Negroes in judicial and other
high positions proves that this
should be no stumbling block
to appointment of a Negro to
the Juvenile Court bench, Sem
ator Bible said. He added that
he expects quick hearings on
the next judgeship bill and
conferences with the House to
help solve the problem. Sena-
tor Bible said he believes there
will be some help from the
White House in the next ad-
ministration.