You are advised that on Monday evening February 6, the Michigan Park Citizens' Association went on record as endorsing bill H. R. 5968, which provides for the vesting in the Commissioners jurisdiction over all public swimming pools and playgrounds in the District of Columbia. This letter is being written at the request of the president of the Michigan Park Citizens' Association, Mr. Charles S. Faller. For your information, the Michigan Park Citizens' Association has a paid-up membership of 1,000 members, one of the largest citizens' associations in the city. Very truly yours, (Mrs.) MARY K. KANE, Secretary. NORTHEAST COUNCIL OF CITIZENS ASSOCIATIONS, Hon. JOHN MCMILLAN, M. C., Chairman, House District Committee, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. MCMILLAN: This will introduce Mrs. Franklin G. Sartwell, the vice president of the Northeast Council of Citizens' Assc ciations, who has been designated by the president of this organization to represent us at the hearing on March 30 in regard to bill H. R. 5968. You are advised that on February 2, this council went on record unanimously as endorsing this bill, which provides for the vesting in the Commissioners jurisdiction over all public swimming pools and playgrounds in the District of Columbia. The Northeast Council is made up of delegates from the following citizens associations in the District of Columbia: Brentwood Terrace, Brookland, Burroughs, Dahlgren-Terrace, Lincoln Park, Metropolis View, Michigan Park, Minnesota Center, National Gateway, North Capitol Street, River Terrace, and Trinidad. Very truly yours, Mrs. MARY K. KANE, Secretary. STATEMENT OF MRS. FRANKLIN G. SARTWELL, VICE PRESIDENT NORTHEAST COUNCIL OF CITIZENS' ASSOCIATIONS Mr. Abernethy and members of the subcommittee, I am Mrs. Franklin G. Sartwell, vice president of the Northeast Council of Citizens' Associations and I appear here today in support of H. R. 5968 as introduced by Mr. McMillan. This council is made up of 13 citizens' associations in the northeast area of the District of Columbia, one of which is the Metropolis View Citizens' Association, which I also have the privilege of representing here. I shall simply present the statement of Metropolis View Association and ask that it be placed in the record of this hearing. The Northeast Council, as does the Metropolis View Association, favors the McMillan bill. We believe that it is only right and just that the District government should exercise control over that property and those recreation areas purchased with taxes paid by our local residents. The conflict in authority between the Federal Government and the District has gone on too long, already. Nothing is to be gained by the division in authority over these recreation areas, and much can be lost if this division continues. We therefore urge the early passage of this bill and thank you sincerely for your efforts in righting a great injustice to the local taxpayers. STATEMENT PRESENTED BY MRS. FRANKLIN G. SARTWELL, REPRESENTATIVE AT LARGE, METROPOLIS VIEW CITIZENS ASSOCIATION Gentlemen, the Metropolis View Citizens' Association has asked me to inform you that at a recent meeting this organization went on record as favoring the enactment of the McMillan bill, H. R. 5968, to vest in the Commissioners of the District of Columbia control over all public swimming pools, playgrounds, and parks situated in the District of Columbia. The association believes that the passage of this bill will clarify a situation in this community that, over the years, has become very irksome to the taxpayers of the District of Columbia, due to the confusion of jurisdiction between the local government and the Federal Government. We urge the immediate passage of this measure in order that authority over our public recreation areas may be placed in the hands of the representatives of those who have paid for them. Thank you. Mr. ABERNETHY. It is a quarter to 12 and the House will be in session in 15 minutes. I would like for the members to remain for an executive session, please. (Thereupon, the subcommittee went into executive session.) |