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payment to the District, which
would result in a payment Of
about $40 million. "he House
this week voted q $50 million
Federal payment.
II believe that enactment Of
the proposed legislation will
again vest in in the residents
of the District the fundamental
right of self-government and
will offer the Nations Capital
City the opportunity for more
effective governmental organi-
zation and management" the
President wrote. Il hope there
fore that early hearings can be
held and that favorable action
will be taken by the Congress
on this important legislation"
Two Year Terms
The mayor and councilmen
would take over expanded
functions of the three e-member
Board of Commissioners, Gre
ated by Congress in 1878.
Presidentially appointed COM
missioners carry out directives
of Congress.
The proposed council would
pass laws for the city, subject
to veto by the mayor. Council
members would draw $4,000 in
salary annually except for the
chairman, to be paid $4,000.
Their term of office would be
two years.
President Kennedy asked for
a mayor to serve a four-year
term on an annual salary OF
$40, 1000. The mayor is charged
by the bill with the RESPONSE
bility for administering fiscal
affairs. He may appoint and re-
move employees, who would be
protected by a District civil
service system,
Local citizens could recall the
mayor by petition signed by at
least Is per cent of voters and
a majority voting on the re-
call question.
Major features of the bill are
detailed like this:
The Federal Payment-A for
mula of aid to the general
fund Is figured on % taxes
lost to the District on Federal
property, CO taxes lost to the
District on property exempted
by special congressional acts
other than the general tax
exemption law of 1912, go
taxes lost to the District on
personal property of the Fed
eral Government, exclusive of
art and museum pieces and
libraries. and "a a ratio of
corporation and unincorporated
business taxes related to the
comparative number of private
and Federal employees.
Borr0wing-The Distric t
could issue bonds to borrow
money up to IL per cent of a
10-year average assessed value
of property subject to District
taxes.
Bond issues must be ap-
proved by the voters. But the
council. without that approval,
can borrow up to one-sixth of
the debt limit.
Abolished Agencies - Wiped
out besides the Board of Com
missioners would be the Board
of Education, Zoning Commits
sion, Public Utilities Commits
sion, Redevelopment Land
Agency. Armory Board and the
National Capital Housing Au-
thority. Functions Of these
agencies would be transferred
to the council or to the mayor.
Municipal Courts - Judges
would be appointed by the
council. Members also would
determine the organization Of
the courts and fix the qualifi-
cations. tenures and salaries Of
judges. The bill would give
the council, for example, power
to reorganize Juvenile Court.
a task on WHICH Congress has
worked unsuccessfully for nearly
five years.
Observation-Disclosures of the
Board of Elections would be
appointed by the mayor, with
the consent of the council,
after the expiration of the in
cumbents' terms.
The city would be divided