Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-03-22
TEzE CONIEzsSkONETtS AND THE
PUBLIC.
Are the Proceedings Of the District Gov.
eTni::cNt Accessible
WHAT TIE COMMISSIONERS SAY.

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONERS
OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
To the Editor of THE EVENING STAR:
The commissioners, acknowledging the good
motives inspiring your editorial advice OF the 18th
instant think proper to say that it is very largely
based upon miSapprehenSion OF the facts
You say "the Commissioners Office and records
nave been open TO the public until within year or
tWo That Is true. and 1t is equally true that they
have so remained to the present time Indeed
reporters so constantly attend the executive Office
that citizens are usually compelled TO confer upon
BUSINESS in their presence. They have access TO the
records. and even to the daily coTreSpOndence
unless 1t be to communications with certain depart
hi.ntS of the government or Congressional COM
miltees that have specially requested that cor
rtSnondence with them should not be given to the
SiGilc. so far as the commissioners are concerned
the whole world is free to know their every act,
decision and COMMUNICATION This has been true
ever Gay during the administration of the present
commissioners You say 'the press and public
are excluded from consultations OF the Commits
Slo@c:s with delegations Of citizens This
Is true only when the delegations request the
exclusion. as they sometimes DO. As to Board
meetings. Ii is only because the Commissioners find
1T necessary TO deliberate upon matters OF public
record before arriving ut Intelligent decision in
a case submitted for their action: that executive
sessions OF tie Board with closed doors are held,
ana having arrived at a decision they never hest
tate to divIigeit. Experience has proven the wis
uo ii not necessity, of this, not only for Commits
S"iier- but for courts. jurieS. directors OF corpora
uoiis legislative committees and cabinets. The
commissioners are advised that this has been
the UNIFORM custom OF this Office during the past
Ten years This much of truth forms the basis of
your charge Of SecrcSy. and ground for editorial
a'tNlcc That the OBJ legations need not all be
size. Will you allow the Commissioners to make an
exchange of the courtesy OF giving advice?
ne commissioners are cndeaVOTing to secure
better police regulations. and better system Of
taxation by Congressional enactment. Will you
not aid I'm this work with your powerful Influence
Many people are trying toeStab,Sh claims against
me District because in the march of Improvement
the grade Of streets has been changed These
clalinS us'lSt aimed by law, and unusual in other
cities, arc being pushed by men Of strong Influence
AMI threaten OlnyOye he District I'm large Increase
or dtht, or tn absorb for years the revenue Chat
alouIu De devoted to public improvements. viii
You not. for the sake OF improvements SD much
needed, come 10 the aid or the Commissioners and
heip protect the District treasury These are but
Il ieM OF the many Important matters that should
c!iilenSe the interest and earnest attention OF all
good citizens.
The Commissioners cannot but view with rerret
not on Their personal account but out OF regard for
tne success OF their efforts promote the interests
Oh The District that there should be any bias on the
part Oh any portion OF the press OF the city against
either the method or conduct OF the District govern
mtnt, eliminating In unjust ahle attacks Tn
warranted attacks whether holding uD the police
force OF the District criminal or incompetent or
Stlgilatzlng the citizens unusually addicted to
IN vice Oh lntenptrance and its executive auth
lies as regardless OF the interests entrusted to their
management, are all preiuicidl to the interests of
t!e community. III any q al OF these charges are
true, accountability should at once be visited upOn
t, o1endlng parties. II not true, their invention
ana assertion bv the Dress can ONLY result in hold
lng up the National Capital to the peonlt of the
country as place To De avoided rather than re-
sorted 10.
Very respectfully, J. b. EDNoEps
j. X. WEST.
G.. J. LYDECKER,
~ commissioners ID. C..
Washington, March 81, fS>i.