Evening star., 1961-06-22
Reeves to Drive for Home Rule
When He Becomes Commissioner

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night he would like to work
himself out of a job.
Mr.. Reeves meant that, as
Commissioner, he will seek to
win congressional clearance for
an elected rather than an ap-
pointed government in the
Capital.
Mr.. Reeves, A, is an ex-
perienced and respected cam
paigner. He has served on
campaign staffS of five presi-
Dental candidates - President
Kennedy, Senators Humphrey
and Kefauver, United Nations
Ambassador Stevenson and for
mer New York Gov. Hartman.
What I would hope to do is
work myself out of a job" he
said in his home at 1894 New
Hampshire avenue NV.
But until I have a chance
to talk to my colleagues on the
board. wouldn't want to go at
this individually" ne said when
asked about the approach to
attaining an elected govern
ment in the District.
On the form the local gov
ernment should take, Mr..
Reeves said the other Commits
Sioners and the administration
would have ideas on the mat
ter that he would like to go
over before making any deci-
sions.
Opposed Territorial Rule
AS for the Eisenhower plan
of a territorial form of gov
ernment, Mr.. Reeves said. LAS
a private citizen of the Dis
trict 1 was against this plan.
But, of course. as a Commis-
sioner. these other two con-
siderations (the administration
and the other two Commits
sioners) are important.
Mr.. Reeves said his ultimate
goal is the achievement of home
rule. But he added that the
tactics and the strategy of
attaining this are matters on
which Il would want to con-
suit with the people who have
worked on this matter. I would
respect their judgment"
AS a man going from the
White House to the District
Building. Mr.. Reeves thinks
the liaison between the two
offices is adequate. There
should be a close relationship,
but think my appointment as
well as that of Mr.. Tobriner
would reflect a good working
arrangement. We would not
need a special emiSsary. We
can deal with the problems"
Z AS the first Negro ever to be
appointed to the Board of Com
mlSsionerS, Mr.. Reeves thinks
his experience and associations
with his race will be of great
value in dealing with the
health, education and welfare
problems of the city, the area
OF activity he probably will be
in charge of. But he stressed
that as a member of the
Board of Commissioners of the
District of Columbia. just as
with the Democratic National
Committee, I will represent all
the people.
1T might he that as a Negro,
considering the population (54
per cent Negro I would have
more experience in that area.
than a white man would put
as a Commissioner I will repre-
sent all the people of the
District"
AS to relations with the House
District Committee, Mr.. Reeves
said: Il have to admit that my
personal relations with the
committee have been limited,
but l intend to approach the
committee as I hope they will
approach me. We both have
our jobs to do. I hope they
won't be influenced by any,
thing other than the fact that
I am a District Commissioner"
Stresses Financing
When looking at the myriad
of problems that beset the Dis
trlct, Mr.. Reeves traces them to
common headwater: financ-
ing.
The Commissioners have the
administrative responsibility,
but not the legislative respon-
sibility. The Congressman andi
Senators have a responsibility
to their constituents and they
have this additional RESPONSE
bility to the people of the Dis
trict. This isn't fair to their
constituents or to the people
of the District. To the people
to whom this Washington is
home, this is an additional
problem and this is the problem
of the District Commissioners.
For me this is a challenge,
as I'm sure it is for Mr.. To-
briner and Gen. Clarke. We will
have to work toward what may
be a satisfactory answer"
Mr.. Reeves salary as a Com
missioner would be $4,000 a
year.
Hearings before the Senate
District Committee are expect
ed to be set within days after
Mr.. Reeves formal nomination
reaches Capitol Hill. He is to
succeed Robert E. Mclaughlin,
whose term expires June 30.
Mr.. Reeves and his wife, DR..
Elizabeth w. Reeves, a member
of the D. c. Teachers College
faculty, have two children,
Deborah, 8, and Daniel, 6.
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