SEC. 4. (a) For purposes of the election of Commissioners the District of Columbia shall be divided into seven wards, following the lines of census tracts established by the United States Census Bureau for purposes of the Sixteenth Decennial Census, as follows:

(b) Ward 1 shall consist of census tracts numbered 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 88, 89, 90, and 91.

(c) Ward 2 shall consist of census tracts numbered 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, and 96.

(d) Ward 3 shall consist of census tracts numbered 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, and 62.

(e) Ward 4 shall consist of census tracts numbered 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 58, 59, 60, 61, and 86.

(f) Ward 5 shall consist of census tracts numbered 22, 23, 24, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 87, 92, 93, 94, and 95.

(g) Ward 6 shall consist of census tracts numbered 17, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 36, 37, 43, and 44.

(h) Ward 7 shall consist of census tracts numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 18.

(i) One Commissioner shall be elected from each of the seven wards herein provided for.

(k) Commissioners shall be elected for terms of two years. Elections shall be held on the first Monday in May of each second year following the approval of this Act, except that the first election following approval of this Act shall be held on a date to be fixed by the Election Commission hereinafter provided for in section 5 of this Act.

(m) The Commissioners shall take office on the 1st day of July following their election.

(n) No person shall be eligible for election as a Commissioner of the District of Columbia under the provisions of this Act who shall not have attained the age of twenty-five years, and who shall not have been at the time of his election for three years a bona fide resident of the District of Columbia, and for at least one year domiciled within the ward from which he is elected: No person not a citizen of the Uhited States shall hold office as a Commissioner.

(p) Candidates for election as Commissioners shall be nominated by petition; and any candidate who shall have filed with the recorder of deeds of the Distrct of Columbia, at least two weeks before the date set for the election, a petition setting forth his candidacy, approved by at least one thousand bona fide residents of the ward from which he seeks election, eligible to qualify as voters under provisions of this Act, shall be entitled to have his name appear on the 'ballot.

(q) Any candidate for the office of Commissioner who receives a majority of all the votes cast in his ward in any given election shall be deemed to have been elected. If no candidate shall receive a majority of all votes cast in any given ward, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall participate in a run-off election to be held four weeks following the original election; and the candidate then receiving the largest number of votes shall be deemed to be elected.

(r) Any citizen of the District of Columbia who shall have declared his intention to vote by registering, in accordance with the provisions made by the Election Commission hereinafter provided for in section 5 of this Act shall be eligible to vote in any election for Commissioners. For purposes of this Act, a citizen of the District of Columbia shall be any person who has attained the age of twenty-one, who is a citizen of the United States, and who has been for at least one year a bona fide resident of the District of Columbia. In any election for Commissioners, no person shall be entitled to vote more than once, nor in any ward other than the ward in which such person is domiciled at the time of the election.

SEC. 5. (a) Provision for registering of voters and for the conduct of elections for Commissioners shall be made by an Election Commission to consist of the Assessor of the District of Columbia, the Corporation Counsel of the District of Columbia, and the Director of the Bureau of the Census of the United States Department of Commerce. Members of this commission shall serve without additional compensation. All expenses in connection with the registration of voters and the conduct of elections, as herein provided, including necessary clerical help for the Election Commission and the cost of necessary stationery and other supplies for the Election Commission, shall be borne by the District of Columbia.

(b) It shall be the duty of the Election Commission to make such provision, for the first election following the approval of this Act, as shall permit candidates chosen at such election to qualify and take office on the 1st day of July next following approval of this Act; and for this purpose the Election Commission is authorized to fix dates for registration and for the conduct of such election, which may be other than the dates regularly fixed by this Act.

SEC. 6. (a) The City Manager of the District of Columbia, who shall be a citizen of the United States, shall be appointed by majority action of the Commissioners, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate of the United States: Provided, That during any period in which the position of City Manager of the District of Columbia shall be vacant, including the period beginning on the 1st day of July next following approval of this act and ending when a city manager shall have been appointed in accordance with the provisions of this act and shall have assumed office, the Corporation Counsel of the District of Columbia shall serve as acting city manager, with all of the powers, rights, privileges, and duties hereby vested in or imposed upon the City Manager of the District of Columbia.

(b) The City Manager of the District of Columbia shall receive compensation at the rate of $20,000 per annum.

(c) The City Manager of the District of Columbia shall be appointed for a term of six years, subject to removal for misconduct, after public hearing, by concurrence of any five Commissioners.

(d) A City Manager of the District of Columbia shall be eligible for reappointment to successive terms without limitation, subject to the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 7. The Commissioners of the District of Columbia shall have no power to authorize any appropriation of Federal funds; nor to alter, amend, or repeal any provision of this Act or of any other Act of the Congress; nor to make any provisions changing the compensation of Commissioners of the District of Columbia or the terms and conditions governing the election of such Commissioners, as herein provided; nor to pass, approve, issue, or promulgate any legislation, ordinances, rules, or regulations contrary to the provisions of any Act of Congress then in force, or concerning any matters not affecting exclusively the District of Columbia.

SEC. 8. (a) Subject to the restrictions set forth in section 7, the Commissioners of the District of Columbia shall have the power, by majority vote, to pass, approve, issue, or promulgate legislation, ordinances, rules, and regulations concerning any matters affecting the District of Columbia: Provided, That except under authority heretofore granted by the Congress and by this Act transferred to the Commissioners, no law, ordinance, rule, or regulation promulgated by the Commissioners shall become effective otherwise than as provided in section 9 of this Act.

(b) Each Commissioner shall be paid, during his term in office, compensation at the rate of $8,000 per annum.

(c) Each Commissioner shall be entitled to clerical assistance to cost not more than $5,000 per annum, including the salary of a secretary at not more than $3,600 per annum, and shall be furnished with necessary stationery and office supplies not to exceed a cost of $300 per annum and with necessary postage not to exceed $300 per annum.

(d) The compensation of Commissioners, the compensation of persons appointed by any Commissioner to provide clerical assistance in accordance with the provisions of this section, and the cost of the stationery and office supplies and the postage furnished to Commissioners in accordance with provisions of this section, shall be paid out of the general fund of the District of Columbia. SEC. 9. (a) Legislation, ordinances, rules, or regulations promulgated by the Commissioners under authority heretofore granted by the Congress, and by this Act transferred to the Commissioners, shall become effective in accordance with the provisions of the respective Acts of Congress granting such authority; any other law, ordinance, rule, or regulation promulgated by the Commissioners shall become effective in the alternative as follows:

(1) When approved in writing by the respective chairmen of the Committee on the District of Columbia for the United States Senate and the Committee on the District of Columbia for the United States House of Representatives; or (2) As hereinafter provided, when not disapproved by either the chairman of the Committee on the District of Columbia for the United States Senate or the chairman of the Committee on the District of Columbia for the United States

House of Representatives, within fifteen days after transmittal of an attested copy to such chairmen; or

(3) When approved by concurrent resolution of the two Houses of the Congress of the United States, or when a concurrent resolution providing for disapproval shall have failed of passage by vote of both Houses of Congress.

(b) Within twenty-four hours of its approval by the Commissioners, each and every law, ordinance, rule, or regulation promulgated by the Commissioners shall be transmitted in duplicate to the respective chairmen of the Committee on the District of Columbia for the United States Senate and the Committee on the District of Columbia for the United States House of Representatives: Provided, That as to any law, ordinance, rule, or regulation promulgated by the Commissioners during a recess of the Congress, transmittal shall be made within twenty-four hours after the Congress again convenes, and such transmittal shall be deemed compliance with the provisions of the Act. It shall be the duty of each such chairman, in his official capacity and in accordance with the wishes of his committee, to act upon each such law, ordinance, rule, or regulation, in the alternative, as follows:

(1) By approving in writing; or

(2) By reporting to his House of Congress a concurrent resolution providing for disapproval by the Congress, and notifying the Commissioners that such a resolution has been introduced, such notice to constitute disapproval under section 9 (a) (2) of this Act.

(c) If within fifteen days after its transmittal to the chairmen of the House and Senate District Committees as herein provided any law, ordinance, rule, or regulation approved by the Commissioners shall not have been acted upon as required by subparagraph (b) of this section, such ordinance, law, rule, or regulation shall become effective in accordance with its terms, subject to subsequent repeal or amendment by Act of Congress.

SEC. 10. Any law, ordinance, rule, or regulation desired to be proposed by any Member of either House of Congress for enactment or promulgation by the Commissioners shall be promptly transmitted to the Commissioners, at the request of such Member, by the chairman of the Committee on the District of Columbia for that House of Congress in which such Member has his seat, and when so transmitted shall be considered and voted upon by the Commissioners on a date not later than the second regular meeting of the Commissioners following such transmittal. If the Commissioners thereupon decline to approve, enact, or promulgate any such law, ordinance, rule, or regulation so transmitted, notice of such declination shall be given by the Commissioners within twenty-four hours to the District Committee chairman through whom such proposed law, ordinance, rule, or regulation was transmitted to the Commissioners.

[S. 1527, 78th Cong., 1st sess.]

A BILL To establish a District of Columbia Charter Commission

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That there is hereby established a District of Columbia Charter Commission (hereinafter referred to as the "Commission") to be composed of one member appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, one member appointed by the chairman of the Committee on the District of Columbia of the Senate, and one member appointed by the chairman of the Committee on the District of Columbia of the House of Representatives. No person shall be eligible for appointment as a member of the Commission who shall not have been a resident of the District of Columbia for a period of at least five years next preceding the date of his appointment. The member appointed by the President shall act as Chairman of the Commission. A vacancy in the Commission shall not affect the power of the remaining members to execute the functions of the Commission, and shall be filled in the same manner as the original selection. Members of the Commission shall be paid compensation at the rate of $ per annum. The Commission shall have the power to employ and fix the compensation of such clerks and other employees, to accept such voluntary and uncompensated services, and to make such expenditures as may be necessary for carrying out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 2. The Commission is authorized and directed to prepare and submit to the Congress its recommendations for a form of municipal government not inconsistent with the provisions of article I, section 8, clause 17 of the Constitution of

the United States, which will, in its opinion, best serve the needs and requirements of the District of Columbia. The Commission shall also prepare and submit to the Congress a proposed charter for the District of Columbia designed to provide the form of municipal government so recommended. The Commission is authorized and directed to receive and consider suggestions as to the substance and form of such proposed charter submitted to it by or on behalf of any resident or group of residents of the District of Columbia or by or on behalf of any citizens' association or other civic organization composed of residents of the District of Columbia. SEC. 3. The Commission shall submit its recommendations and proposed charter to the Congress not later than months after the members of the Commission have taken office, and shall cease to exist days after the date of submission of such recommendations and proposed charter. No charter proposed pursuant to this Act shall have any force or effect unless enacted into law by the Congress. SEC. 4. here are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums, not to exceed $ as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

[S. J. Res. 87, 78th Cong., 1st sess.]

JOINT RESOLUTION To provide means of enabling residents of the District of Columbia to express their preference for a form of municipal government

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the chairman of the Committee on the District of Columbia of the Senate and the chairman of the Committee on the District of Columbia of the House of Representatives are authorized and directed jointly to appoint a supervisor of élections for the District of Columbia (hereinafter referred to as the "supervisor"). The supervisor shall perform the functions hereinafter prescribed and shall be paid compensation at the rate of $ per annum. The supervisor shall have the power to employ and fix the compensation of such clerks and other employees, to accept voluntary and uncompensated services, and to make such expenditures as may be necessary for carrying out the provisions of this joint resolution.

SEC. 2. The supervisor is authorized and directed to provide for holding an election as hereinafter provided for the purpose of affording to residents of the District of Columbia an opportunity to indicate their preference for a form of municipal government for the District of Columbia. Such election shall be held on a date, to be designated by the supervisor, which shall be not less than months or more than months after the date of enactment of this joint

resolution.

SEC. 3. For the purposes of such election, the supervisor shall invite all citizens' associations and similar civic organizations in the District of Columbia to submit to him proposed charters for the District of Columbia. The supervisor shall make such proposed charters available for public inspection, and shall prepare digests thereof for publication and distribution to interested persons. The supervisor is authorized to submit any questions concerning the constitutionality of any such proposal to the chief justice of the District Court of the United States for the District of Columbia and his decision with respect thereto shall be final for the purposes of this joint resolution.

SEC. 4. At least thirty days prior to the date fixed for the election under section 2, the supervisor shall by order designate the voting place for each election precinct, which place shall be selected with a view to the convenience of the voters in such precinct, and shall select the necessary election officials for each election precinct. Such order shall also state the day and date of the election, the hours during which places of voting will be open, and such other information as the supervisor deems desirable.

SEC. 5. The supervisor shall prepare a suitable ballot for such election, which shall provide for the designation by the voter of his first, second, and third choice of the proposed charters. The supervisor shall prepare instructions for voting to be distributed with such ballots. Such instructions shall contain digests of the proposed charters to be voted upon and such other data as the supervisor deems appropriate. The supervisor shall direct and instruct all election officials in their duties, and shall make rules and regulations for the printing and distribution of ballots and instructions, the conduct of elections, the canvass of votes, the delivery of returns, and such other rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this joint resolution.

SEC. 6. The supervisor shall provide suitable election booths, ballot boxes, and other equipment or materials necessary to carry out the provisions of this joint resolution.

SEC. 7. All citizens of the United States twenty-one years of age and over who claim no place of legal residence for voting purposes outside the District of Columbia, and who either (1) pay income or real or personal property taxes in the District of Columbia, or (2) have resided within the District of Columbia continuously for five years, and at the same address for one year, next preceding the date of their registration as provided in section 8, shall be qualified to vote at the election provided for by this joint resolution: Provided, That no person shall be eligible to vote (1) whose name is not on the official register provided for in section 8; (2) who has been convicted of an electoral crime or a felony, unless pardoned; (3) who is living on public charity or who is an inmate of a public charitable institution; or (4) who is an inmate of a public or private institution for the insane, or who has been judicially declared insane.

SEC. 8. The supervisor shall, not later than months after the date of enactment of this joint resolution, provide for the establishing of an official register, and for the registration of persons possessing the qualifications prescribed in section 7, who desire to vote in the election herein provided. Facilities for such registration shall be provided by the supervisor at not to exceed three conveniently located places in the District of Columbia. Such official register shall be closed thirty days prior to the date fixed for such election, and no registration shall thereafter be permitted. For the purposes of this joint resolution, the supervisor shall divide the District of Columbia into numbered voting precincts, each of which shall be composed of compact contiguous territory in which the supervisor estimates that persons who will vote in such election reside. Prior to the date fixed for the election, the supervisor shall provide the election officials in each precinct with a list of the registered voters qualified to vote therein.

SEC. 9. As soon as all returns from such election are received the supervisor shall tabulate such returns, and shall transmit the results thereof to the Congress. No charter proposed pursuant to this joint resolution shall have any force or effect unless enacted into law by the Congress.

SEC. 10. Any person who knowingly misrepresents himself to be qualified to vote under the provisions of section 7, and who thereupon votes or offers to vote in the election provided for by this joint resolution; or who knowingly conceals any material fact or facts which would disqualify him as a voter in such election and who thereupon votes or offers to vote therein; or who, by any means, hinders, delays, or prevents any other person from registering for or voting at such election; or who knowingly personates and votes or attempts to vote in the name of any other person; or who votes more than once in such election; or who, being an election official, violates any duty imposed upon him as such official, or willfully conceals, withholds, alters, destroys, or delays the returns of such election, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500, or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

SEC. 11. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums, not to exceed as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this joint resolution. The CHAIRMAN. For instance, S. 1420 deals with a form, or skeleton form, of home rule for the District. The chairman of the Committee is the author of that bill. S. 1527 deals with establishment of a Charter Commission for the District. Senate Joint Resolution 87 proposes a referendum on the question of local self-government.

None of these bills is presumed by its author to approach perfection. They are merely skeletons of what might be a law that would afford to the people of the District of Columbia, if they saw fit, a way whereby they could govern themselves by their own vote and govern their respective institutions.

The committee has had brought very vividly to its attention, by an investigation made by individual members of the whole committee, at least one institution that demands complete and rigid reformationan institution that deals with the poor and the afflicted. Its present condition is a deplorable one.