Hon. JOSEPH D. TYDINGs, Jr., U.S. SENATE, Washington, D.C., January 29, 1969. Chairman, Committee on the District of Columbia, DEAR JOE: Because I have to be out of town at the time of the Walter Washington hearing before your Committee, I'd be very grateful if the attached letter could be read into the record at the appropriate time in the proceedings. Thanks ever so much for your kind cooperation. Sincerely, EDWARD W. BROOKE U.S. SENATE, Hon. JOSEPH D. TYDINGS, Jr., Washington, D.C., January 29, 1969. Chairman, Committee on the District of Columbia, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Last year, I had the honor of testifying at the Committee's hearing on behalf of my esteemed friend Walter E. Washington when President Johnson sent his nomination to the Senate as the first Commissioner of the District of Columbia. Only the necessity for my being in Massachusetts prevents my appearing in person again to endorse wholeheartedly and with enthusiasm Commissioner Washington's renomination to the same high post by President Nixon. I hope you will allow me to say briefly for the record, Mr. Chairman, that I hope this nomination will have unanimous Committee and Senate approval. Although perhaps not technically a "Mayor," Walter Washington, in the brief time he's held one of the most demanding municipal posts in the country, has proven himself a real Mayor in every sense of the word. In times of unprecedented stress, he has been calm and strong. To those in need, he has repeatedly shown that city government can be human and humane. He has lent an understanding ear to those in trouble, and at the same time I think he has left no doubt that he will not tolerate those who want to make trouble. His grasp of complicated and often perplexing municipal problems has been sure, his administrative skills unquestioned, and his quiet but staunch determination to give the City of Washington the very best that is in him has been a source of inspiration to his associates and his constituency. In my judgment, Walter Washington is as well qualified to continue serving the people of Washington as any man I know. I predict for him even greater success in the term ahead and I wish for him complete fulfillment of each and every one of his aspirations. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for giving me this valued opportunity to express my very high regard for Mayor Washington. Sincerely yours, EDWARD W. BROOKE. The CHAIRMAN. Senator Spong, do you have anything you wish to add? Senator SPONG. I am going to be asking the Mayor a few questions, Mr. Chairman. I would like to congratulate him at this time upon his reappointment, and say what pleasure it was for me during the 90th Congress to work with him, and assure him that I intend to continue to work with him, and look forward to it. The CHAIRMAN. Senator Eagleton. Senator EAGLETON. I will ask the Mayor a couple of questions, Mr. Chairman, at the appropriate time. But, in the spirit of unanimity, I express laudatory sentiments toward the Mayor himself. The CHAIRMAN. Senator Mathias. Senator MATHIAS. Mr. Chairman, first of all, I would like to congratulate my senior colleague for assuming the chair of the District Committee in its first public meeting, and it is, of course, a great pleasure to welcome an old friend, Walter Washington, back again. He had an outstanding career long before he came to be the District Commissioner. His progress in what certainly is one of the most difficult jobs of public service in the entire world has been a matter for congratulations. It has been a process that I have watched with a great deal of interest as having been one who helped frame the reorganization plan in the first place. I am well aware of all of the tremendous difficulties that are involved in carrying out the duties of the District Commissionerthe Mayor-under the limitations that are placed upon him, where he has so much responsibility and so little power. It has taken great restraint and great tact to operate under these conditions. These are some limitations that I hope will, in the fullness of time, be removed. Meanwhile Commissioner Washington has certainly rendered a very signal public service, and one for which we are all very grateful. The comparative calm of Inauguration Day gives us some index to his success. I do have just one complaint, Mayor Washington, that I was asked to pass along to you today. My two sons, who are 7 and 9 years old, are complaining about the lack of snow in the District this winter and they have skates, and they have sleds, and have not been able to use them. But let me say that for myself, and I suspect for all of those who travel the District streets, this is probably going to go down as one of the greatest accomplishments of your administration. Commissioner WASHINGTON. Thank you, sir. I would like to take credit, but I think I had better share it with the Almighty. The CHAIRMAN. Mayor Washington, do you have any statement which you would like to make? Commissioner WASHINGTON. None at this time. I would like to make a brief point at the end, except to say, Mr. Chairman, I think at this point that it is gratifying to me to be able to receive at this point the laudatory statements and statements of commendation that the members of this committee have sent or offered verbally. I think that it is a point of satisfaction that the work which our Government, and in which I particularly have tried to render, that it, at least, has been seen and observed and analyzed for what it is worth. Because, this is perhaps this has been-the most turbulent year we have had, and against great odds we have tried to forge ahead at the same time always keeping in mind the hope that we can build for the Nation's Capital a model city. I would believe that the words coming from the members of this committee are most satisfying to me, but far more to the citizens of this great city who would feel that the Congress and, particularly, this committee, serves in a partnership role. I think this is as it should be. We certainly look ahead for the opportunity to work together. We have serious problems. Up to now I know of no problem that has caused me to either default or turn back. I look forward to the day when this city can be truthfully the model that we all want it, and I just want to express my appreciation for the commendations. The CHAIRMAN. Mayor Washington, I see we have a number of witnesses who wish to be heard. I think in order to expedite the hearings, I will ask you to leave the table and we will hear the witnesses, and then call you back at the end. We are glad to welcome you to this hearing, Mr. McArdle. STATEMENT OF WALTER F. MCARDLE, PRESIDENT, METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON URBAN COALITION Mr. MCARDLE. Thank you very much, Senator. Mr. Chairman and members of the Senate District Committee, my name is Walter F. McArdle. I am the president of the McArdle Printing Co., and, among other duties in the community, I am president of the Metropolitan Washington Urban Coalition. Although I have known our distinguished Mayor for a long time, I have come to know him well only during the past year, when I have been privileged to work with him closely on matters of mutual civic concern. As I have observed Walter E. Washington, I have admired him. I admire him especially for the sound, wise, firm leadership he provided our community during periods of grave crises. The Metropolitan Washington Urban Coalition was formed last March-only 3 weeks before the assassination of Dr. King, 3 weeks before the devastating civil disorders that followed his death. Dr. King died Thursday evening, April 4. By the following afternoon, the situation in Washington had become very serious. On Saturday, the Mayor summoned to his office 30 leaders of the coalition and asked us to assist him in meeting the emergency needs of the community. I am proud of the way the coalition responded. Committees were organized, and within a week the community had made available 1.25 million pounds of food, 800 housing units, 1,000 jobs and $147,000 in cash for other emergency needs. The response proved the validity of the coalition concept. My point here today, however, is that this experience provided clear proof of the unique leadership abilities of our Mayor. I would like to make several observations. I do so with complete confidence and without reservation. First, few men understand this community, its complex problems and resources, as completely as Walter E. Washington. Secondly, this man's dedication to this community is such that he has made a habit of working 20 hours a day. Thirdly, Walter E. Washington has demonstrated a talent that is crucial to success in his position. He has been able to gain the confidence of, and mobilize the talents and energies of, all segments of this community-the rich and the poor, business and labor, black and white, liberals and conservatives. More than that, he has established an excellent working relationship with suburban jurisdictions. Because of his demonstrated mastery of the position of Mayor, which calls for understanding, administrative ability, diplomacy, and a great capacity for leadership, I strongly recommend that the U.S. Senate confirm the President's nomination of the Honorable Walter E. Washington as the Mayor of the government of the District of Columbia. Thank you. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Mr. McArdle. Senator MATHIAS. I thank Mr. McArdle not only for being here today but for his urban coalition efforts. The CHAIRMAN. We know of the work you have done with your urban coalition, and we commend you for all the work you have done. Mr. MCARDLE. Thank you very much. The CHAIRMAN. Miss Flaxie Pinkett, Chairman of the District of Columbia Health and Welfare Council. We are delighted to welcome you. STATEMENT OF MISS FLAXIE M. PINKETT, CHAIRMAN, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HEALTH AND WELFARE COUNCIL Miss PINKETT. Mr. Chairman and members of the Senate Committee on the District of Columbia, I am Flaxie M. Pinkett, Chairman of the District of Columbia Health and Welfare Council. The Health and Welfare Council endorses and supports the nomination of Walter E. Washington to continue as the Mayor-Commissioner of the District of Columbia. We, who have known him for many years as a volunteer and as Commissioner of the District of Columbia, and who have worked with him to achieve difficult tasks, are convinced that Walter Washington has the qualities and the dedication to provide our city with the leadership needed in the office of the Commissioner of the District of Columbia. The Health and Welfare Council, a voluntary association of citizen and social welfare agencies, has had a long and valued past experience with Commissioner Walter E. Washington. Through Health and Welfare Council he has in the past served all of the people of this city and of this metropolitan region. The leadership he gave on a voluntary basis, working with other volunteers in many vital Health and Welfare Council projects, reflects, we believe, his broad appreciation that community progress demands a strong government, balanced with dynamic private and voluntary action. More than 100 voluntary agencies which are members of the Health and Welfare Council and the thousands of people they serve, have felt the constructive impact of his mature judgment, his sense of commitment, and readiness to work hard to carry it out, his loyalty to this community, his sensitive understanding of people's needs, his intelligent grasp of complex community problems, his creative approach to new solutions, his forthright determination to face issues squarely, and his clear and well-organized followthrough to achieve agreed-upon action. Through his association with the Health and Welfare Council, Commissioner Washington met with and inspired other citizen volunteers from all segments of our community. He passed his know-how on to others. He persuaded, he convinced, he changed people's minds and attitudes, he brought unity where there was division, he urged action where there was inertia, and he gave of himself. On September 20, 1967, before the Senate Committee on the District of Columbia, Health and Welfare Council gave its endorsement of Walter E. Washington as Commissioner of the District of Columbia. On December 4, 1968, Health and Welfare Council again endorsed Commissioner Washington to continue in that role of Commissioner. Our faith in Commissioner Washington and our respect for his ability and his capacity has been deepened during his term as Commissioner of Washington, D.C. He has demonstrated his respect for and ability to pull together all segments of our community. The Health and Welfare Council and its member voluntary agencies worked closely with him during the April civil disorders, the poor peoples' campaign, and in all phases of program coordination in the city. We believe we have a partnership with him which is valuable because of the linkage he has formed with the voluntary agencies, the community, and the private sector. The year has been difficult for us all, but the leadership and cooperation of Walter Washington has enabled the community to move forward positively and constructively. We believe that the continued leadership of Commissioner Washington will enable our city to achieve unity, progress, and to move toward solving the problems of our urban crisis. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you very much, Miss Pinkett. Any questions? Senator SPONG. I have none. Senator EAGLETON. No questions. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you very much for being with us. Mr. Carl Shipley, I understand, is ill. Mr. Rufus Peckham, secretary of the District of Columbia Republican Committee. Is Mr. Peckham here? (No response.) The CHAIRMAN. Dr. Charles L. Warren, executive director, Council of Churches of Greater Washington. Dr. Warren, I think in order to save the Mayor's time with the balance of our witnesses, I am going to incorporate each statement in the record as though read, and ask each of the witnesses, if they would, to summarize their statements in 1 minute, so that we can get the confirmation here concluded as rapidly as possible. Dr. Warren. STATEMENT OF REV. DR. CHARLES L. WARREN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OF GREATER WASHINGTON Dr. WARREN. Mr. Chairman, I am happy to summarize my statement because it is less than 3 minutes anyway. Honorable sirs of the Senate District Committee, I am Charles L. Warren, executive director of the Council of Churches of Greater Washington. The religious community of the District of Columbia and environs, of which the Council of Churches of Greater Washington is pleased to be a part, considers this opportunity to endorse Mayor Walter E. |