than a cooperative endeavor with respect to our School Board, elected or otherwise. This is a unified effort in the whole field of education, both in the schools and in higher education as well, and it must be unified. It must move as a District resource in order to give us the final product. Housing and the whole urban renewal process-I am happy to say, we have now a fairly sizable program going in the housing area. The Model Cities Commission has been elected and is preparing a program for submittal by spring-by April. We have just had the city council act and with the planning commission on Shaw and downtown renewal areas, so we can move ahead expeditiously and appropriately with those areas. We have broken ground at Fort Lincoln, which is our subcity within the city, which will provide not only housing but job opportunities, as well as educational opportunities. In this area of housing there is a substantial breakthrough. Along with that, the Housing Authority is moving within the area of what I would call our turnkey projects to produce faster houses, houses that normally were provided in 4 years, in a one-half-year span. All of these efforts will bear ultimately on relief of tensions and get us closer to the one priority that we have, which is an attack on the cancerous crime problem. That has got to be all-engulfing, that it involves not only increasing our police force. training our police forces, but in many other elements. It means adding to our courts, both general sessions and the district court, as well as our prosecutors. It means studying, which is what we are doing now, the District's own bail agency to see if that can be strengthened and amended. The matter of looking at our correctional system, and looking at it hard in terms of its facility needs and program needs, is one that bears on this problem, as Senator Tydings indicated. Ultimately, all of these efforts, whether they be facilitywise or programwise, will depend upon success, basically, in terms of how we could rally our citizens, what kind of support we can get from the Congress, and what kind of partnership we have with the administration. Mr. Chairman, that was about my statement. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Mr. Washington. You are excused, then. Commissioner WASHINGTON. Thank you. The CHAIRMAN. Miss Thelma Avery. We are delighted to welcome you before this hearing, Miss Avery. STATEMENT OF MISS THELMA AVERY, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION FOR RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP Miss AVERY, Senator Tydings and members of the committee, ladies and gentlemen, and the press, I represent the District of Columbia Association for Responsible Citizenship. I speak to you as one of many rapidly diminishing productive citizens within the District of Columbia whose precarious existence is noticed by our city government only on tax due days, or on occasion when we are vandalized, robbed, burned, maimed, or murdered. I strongly oppose the reappointment of Mayor Washington since I sincerely believe that, based on his administration's past performance, our city will be subjected to a continuing state of criminal anarchy and persecution of law-abiding citizens as has been amply evidenced in our recent past. Our current city government seems incapable in recognizing the elementary fact that civic responsibility is needed and due from all our citizens, which includes our black citizens, regardless of any past inequities which may have been perpetrated against them before a civilized environment can be established within our community for all our citizens. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Miss Avery. Senator Spong. Senator SPONG. No questions. The CHAIRMAN. Senator Mathias. No questions. Thank you, Miss Avery. For the record, Mr. Peckham has arrived with the prepared statement of Carl L. Shipley, the Republican committeeman for the District of Columbia. We will insert the statement in the record. (The prepared statement of Mr. Shipley follows:) PREPARED STATEMENT OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEEMAN CARL L. SHIPLEY As Republican National Committeman for the District of Columbia, I recommend that the Senate District of Columbia Committee favorably report that the Senate should advise and consent to the reappointment by President Nixon of Walter E. Washington to the position of Commissioner for the District of Columbia. Mr. Washington has served in this position since the reorganization of the District of Columbia Government in November, 1967. The reorganization brought a radical change in the structure of government which had existed here since 1878, when Congress established a three-man Board of Commissioners to provide local government for the Nation's Capital. The abolition of the Board of Commissioners and the establishment in its place of a Commissioner or Mayor and City Council, restored the structure to a form similar to the Mayor-City Council structure that Congress provided for the District from 1802 until 1871. Walter Washington's 14 months in office have involved not only the day to day executive responsibilities of administering municipal state, and county functions of government, involved a $700,000,000 budget and 34,000 employees serving about 850.000 citizens, more population than that of 11 states, but has also involved an orderly transfer of functions from the old Board of Commissioners to the new Commissioner-City Council. During the entire last year the District Government, like other local governments throughout this nation and the world, was confronted with civil disturbances and a rising crime rate. We had serious riots in April, 1968, then came Resurrection City, and more riots in June. In addition, 1968 was a presidential year which does not add much to peace of mind in the highly political atmosphere of Washignton and it was also a year in which the 90th Congress was coming to a close. We had local party primaries and the election of delegates to the two great national political parties in May and the Congress gave us an elected School Board which added to the stimulation of local partisanship. And all of these circumstances were overshadowed by the deep sociological problem of a radically shifting race imbalance from white to black in the District of Columbia and particularly in the public school system. Walter Washington's first 14 months on the job have been not only a time to try a man's patience but to try his soul. This same period has seen Mr. Washington caught in the crossfire between white militants and black militants, between suburban interests in more highways and rapid transit and the inner-city interested in a subway and local transportation, between a substantially white police force and a substantially black citizenry. Between those who want a highly publicized war against crime and the business interests who do not want to discourage the tourists and conventioneers who spend $500,000,000 in the District of Columbia every year by too much emphasis on the crime situation. I recite these events because the span of our memory is short in the day to day events here in the Nation's Capital. The record shows that through all of these events Walter Washington has been a model of patience, tolerance, and good humor. He has cast the image of overflowing stability, the man who mastered the measured phrase, a man who practices the art of reserved judgment. He has shown himself to be competent, honest and efficient. He is widely admired and respected by black and white, rich and poor, city and suburb, and he has bipartisan support here in the Congress, where the Constitution has fixed exclusive legislative authority of the District of Columbia. He has made his share of mistakes as do all public officials. These he has cheerfully admitted and has wasted no time in tears or self justification. He gets on with the job. Both the District of Columbia's citizens and the Nation's taxpayers have invested a year in Walter Washington. He has had the experience of on-the-job-training. He is making the reorganized government work. He has demonstrated that he serves the national interest and cannot be pulled off balance by any partisan or narrow group interest. He has shown himself to be an impartial and high minded public servant, refusing to favor any economic interest, any racial group or any political faction. So nearly as I have been able to determine, his decisions and his actions are constantly guided on the basis of the common good. Therefore, I am very pleased to be able to urge upon the Senate District of Columbia Committee that it take speedy action to keep Commissioner Walter E. Washington in the position which he has so ably filled during the past year. The CHAIRMAN. I have a number of telegrams in connection with the hearing, which I will insert in the record. (The telegrams referred to follow :) Senator JOSEPH TYDINGS, Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.: WASHINGTON, D.C., January 30, 1969. District of Columbia Federation Civic Association urges confirmation Mayor Washington. EDWARD J. MCLEAN, President. WASHINGTON, D.C., January 30, 1969. Senate Office Building, Senator JOSEPH TYDINGS, Washington, D.C.: The District of Columbia Congress of Parents and Teachers urges reconfirmation of Walter Washington as Mayor Commissioner. GLORIA K. ROBERTS, President. WASHINGTON, D.C., January 30, 1969. Senator JOSEPH TYDINGS, New Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.: Senator Tydings, the Ministers Alliance of the Cardozo Area wishes to endorse Mayor Walter E. Washington for second term. Rev. ANNIE M. WOODRIDGE, President. WASHINGTON, D.C., January 29, 1969. Senator JOSEPH TYDINGS, New Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.: We of the Business & Professional Association of Far Northeast heartily sup port the early confirmation of Walter E. Washington to succeed himself as Mayor of the District of Columbia. We solicit your help in this matter. Many thanks. ANDREW J. SAMUELS, Executive Secretary. WILLIAM K. COLLINS, D.D.S., President. WASHINGTON, D.C., January 30, 1969. Senator JOSEPH TYDINGS, Chairman, Senate District Committee, Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.: The National Capital Voters Association of Washington, D.C., urges you and your committee to give full support to the nomination of Mayor Walter Washington for the next 4 years. We believe that the record will show that he has managed and guided the affairs of the District of Columbia under the existing circumstances as well as could be expected of any normal individual. We urge his approval and confirmation. Senator JOSEPH TYDINGS, JOHN M. THORNTON, Chairman. WASHINGTON, D.C., January 30, 1969. Senate District Committee, Senate Office Building, The Health and Welfare Council of the National Capitol Area strongly supports Walter E. Washington for reappointment as Mayor Commissioner of the District of Columbia. He has served effectively and we believe his continued leadership is needed for a wholesome city in a thriving metropolitan area. FRANK JONES, M.D., Acting President, Health and Welfare Council of the National Capitol Area. WASHINGTON, D.C., January 29, 1969. Senator JOSEPH TYDINGS, Chairman of the Senate District Committee, Mayor Walter E. Washington has served the District of Columbia and the metropolitan area superbly. We urge a favorable decision on his confirmation. CHARLES NORRIS (For the Northeast Boundary Civic Association). Senator JOSEPH TYDINGS, WASHINGTON, D.C., January 29, 1969. Chairman, Committee on District of Columbia, New Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.: We strongly endorse reappointment of Walter Washington as Mayor Commissioner of the District of Columbia. Rev. and Mrs. WILLIAM STUART NELSON. SILVER SPRING, MD., January 29, 1969. Senator JOSEPH TYDINGS, Senate District Committee, New Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.: We urge District Committee to approve renomination of Mr. Washington as Mayor. ROBERT and SHIRLEY SPIELER. WASHINGTON, D.C., January 29, 1969. CHAIRMAN, SENATE DISTRICT COMMITTEE, Urge rapid confirmation of Mayor Washington, fine Mayor, great man. SHERRY FRIEDMAN. Hon. JOSEPH TYDINGS, WASHINGTON, D.C., January 29, 1969. Chairman, Senate District of Columbia Committee," 1 I respectfully urge confirmation of the Honorable Walter Washington as Mayor of the District of Columbia." HARRY E. POLK, SR., Coordinator For Northeast Human Resources Council. Hon. JOSEPH TYDINGS. WASHINGTON, D.C., January 30, 1969. New Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.: The National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees strongly urge the confirmation of Mr. Walter Washington for a new term as Mayor of the District of Columbia. His past performance under the most difficult conditions has demonstrated his value to this community. ASHBY G. SMITH, President, National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees. Senator JOSEPH TYDINGS, WASHINGTON, D.C., January 30, 1969. Chairman of the Senate District Committee, New Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.: We have been informed that Mayor Walter Washington's reappointment is be ing considered by your committee. The Alpha Omega Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., strongly endorses Mr. Washington to continue as Mayor of Washington, D.C., for the next term. Our group feels his tenure has greatly reduced the possibility of more extreme suffering in our city. We urge your support of his nomination. Senator JOSEPH TYDINGS, ISAAC MCKEE BASILAUS, WASHINGTON, D.C., January 30, 1969. Chairman of Senate District of Columbia Committee, The Model City Commission (first elected body to take office in the District of ́ Columbia) would like to go on record with your committee and the Senate of the United States as endorsing Walter Washington for appointment to a full term as Mayor of the Nation's Capital. WALTHA DANIEL, Chairman of the Model City's Commission. (Subsequent to the hearing the following letter was received:) THE WASHINGTON BAR ASSOCIATION, INC., Senator JOSEPH TYDINGS, Chairman, Senate District of Columbia Committee, DEAR SENATOR TYDINGS: It is my honor to inform you that the Washington Bar Association is pleased to recommend the reappointment of Walter E. Washington as Mayor-Commissioner for the District of Columbia. His unselfish contributions and concern for the citizens of the District of Columbia have formed the basis of a mandate for his reappointment. As a long-time resident of this community in addition to the experiences of the office as evidenceof his capabilities. We commend Walter E. Washington as a man of outstanding qualifications. Very truly yours, JAMES W. COBB, President. |