Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-19
THE RULE OF THREE.
What is Said of the Decision in the
Glleen Case

The question of the powers that may be ex-
ercised by two Commissioners without the
presence of the third has been a matter of
serious consideration Gt the District building
ever since the absence of Col. Robert left the
business of the District government is practi-
caIly IN the hands OF the two civilian Commits
siOncrs.
Mr. Ross received word today Of Judge
James decision and Immediately procured
copy OF the opinion of Attorney General Brew
ster.
lie said to STAR reporter that he was glad
that the question had been raised SO easily.
The Commissioners. he said, would be careful
to secure The signatures of all three members
or the board to papers involving important
acts of the Commissioners
lie added. with 4 smile. that he thought one
effect of the decl: ion would be to stimulate the
lawyers 20 considerable activity. They will be
searching the records 10 find other cases where
1t appears that two Commissioners had acted
for the board
The two civilian Commissioners have in all
cases. where they are OF the same mind, signed
papers approving or rejecting liquor license
applications.
1t has been understood between them that in
case they should not agree as to the disposal of
an application the papars should be
held Tor Col. Roberts acton. The question
was raised today as TO the legality Of
the rejection of liquor license when it APP
pears that the papers have been considered by
only two Commissioners
Commissioner Ross said to a STAR reporter
that If 1t was held that this was not "a lawful
rejection the crasure OF the record Of rejection
would not give an applicant a right TO sell
liquor.
The original law requires the approval of
the board of police to liquor licenses. When
the present government was established the
commissioners succeeded to the powers of the
board of police well those of other
oihclais. The wording of tho law is indefinite
and does not indicate whether the considera-
tlon or an application by majority and not
iuIl board would be legal. Mr.. Ross was in
some doubt about the case this afternoon
IL was suggested today that there might be
some question raised to the power of two
Commissioners acting without the third to APP
prove vouchers and draw money from the
treasury.
Auditor Petty stated to a STAR reporter that
two signatures only were required in such
cases 10y the Treasury as the organic
law distinctly says that vouchers shall
be approved by the board of Commissioners
or majority of them" In cases of contracts
executed IN behalf Of the District the law re-
quires the unanimous consent OF the Commits
slon,rs. No contacts have been made, the
auditor says, without the three signatures.
NO OTHER REGULATIONS LIKE 1T.
Building Inspector Entwistle said this after
noon TO a STAR reporter when asked what the
effect of Judge James decision would be on
other building regulations, that he did not
think there were airy others that had been
acted OIL by two Commissioners alone. In the
instance before the court. he said. the amend
ment was made while Col. Robert was i'll and
II Was deemed important to approve it at once.