Evening star., 1961-03-05
Action on Amendment by 81 States
Is Considered Likely This Spring
Continued From First Page

Continued From First Page
a motion to refer the bill back
to committee Tuesday, when
House debate is scheduled. OPP
ponents are making hay with
an argument that the amend
ment is the first step Of the
camel edging his way into the
tent" according to Mr.. Kemp.
They fear efforts Of Washing
tonianA to elect Senators, Rep
reSentatives and a local govern
ment would follow.
The amendment would allow
Washington residents only to
vote for President and Vice
President. Many of its strongest
supporters in the Capital city
are opposed to local elections.
Florida Situation
Florida's Gov. C. Ferris Bry-
ant will give his Legislature the
notice Of congressional passage
Of the amendment on April 4,
opening day. The amendment
has had little publicity in Flor
ida and lawmakers said it was
impossible at this time to fore
cast prospects of ratification.
The amendment has been in
troduced in Texas, and awaits
committee hearings.
Elsewhere in the Nation, re-
ports were encouraging beyond
local expectations. Each State
is handling the measure on its
own initiative and in its own
way. however. Lawmakers warn
ed that the amendment might
run into any of the unpredic-
table pitfalls of the legislativeI
process.
The amendment was ratified
by Indiana and North Dakota
on Friday. and earlier by Alas
ka, California, Colorado, Della
ware, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine,
Maryland. Massachusetts,, Min
neSota, Montana, Nevada, New
Jersey, New Mexico, New York,
Pennsylvania, Oregon, South
Dakota. Utah, Washington,
West Virginia, Wisconsin and
Wyoming.
At The Stars request, the
Associated Press interviewed
legislative leaders in remaining
State capitals where the
amendment is pending. Here
are the State-by-State results.
l. ARIZONA-A House vote
may be called Wednesday, on
the Senate-cleared amendment.
Backers, including such pow
erful lawmakers as Senate
President Clarence Carpenter
and Senate Floor Leader Harold
Giss, remain hopeful. Two
House committees have re-
leased 1t. Three still are hold
ing it.
House leaders indicated the
measure probably might be
caught up in the flood of bills
passed in the late stages of
the session. Adjournment date
is March 13, but leaders ex-
pect the session will last until
at least March Is and possibly |
longer.
2. CONNECTTCUT-A House
vote is scheduled for Thursday.
Suspension Of the rules is likely
to clear the way for Tuesday
Or Wednesday action. The
Senate has not considered the
bill. Ratification is expected.
3. ILLINOIS - Legislative
hackers predict speedy" ap-
proval. The House committee
has recommended adoption Of
a resolution sponsored by
Representative George Dunno
Of Chicago. Democratic ma
jority leader. The sponsoring
senator. George Drach, Spring.
field Republican, said he an
ticipated no blockade to its
adoption" in two weeks. "It |
seems ridiculous to think nli-
nois wouldn't adopt it," he
added.
4. KANSAS The Senate |
unanimously approved Friday,
on the motion Of Senator Glee
Smith, chairman Of the Judici-
ary Committee. The measure
probably will go to the House
State Affairs Committee,
headed by Representative Jess
Taylor, veteran Republican
from Tribune and former
Speaker. Representative Charles
Arthur Of Manhattan, leader
Of the Republican majority,
said he knew Of no opposition
in the House. II am absolutely
confident Of ratification" Sena-
tor Smith said.
5. MICHIGAN-The resolu-
ton probably will be reported
out Of House committee this