Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-07-23

LIONS VI money winch they think the D1s-
trict needs. and they must execute the
laws and expend appropriations which Con-
gress has made, or NAV make, judiciously
and judicially. They are the only official
representatives Of the District before Con-
gress, and Congress treats them accord
ingly. Congress not only welcomes their
recommendations In their annual report and
at other times, but invites their advice, for
Haly referring to them for comment every
important measure affecting the District
and usually adopting the views of the Com
missioners. -
The committees Of Congress dealing with
District ~. tar anairs invite the Commissioners
to sit with them in private conferences in
which the fate of District measures Is de-
termlned. AS the business of Congress
grows with the growth of the country and
t "a. business OF the District increases with
It's growth, Congress relies more and more
upon the advice of the Commissioners in
the exercise of its constitutional legislative
authority over the District. part Of this
Gautnority 1T has formally given to the
commissioners In the power to make and
ENFORCE all reasonable regulations for the
public safety. health and comfort, although
the penalties depend upon the action of
ane courts. very few executive govern
ments nave this broad legislative power.
President McKinley's Friendliness.
Beyond appointing the Commissioners,
the Judges and a few other officers the
President Of the United States has no OFF,
Columbia. The United States Supreme
Court has expressly held that the District
government is not part Of the national gov
eminent, and this is why the President has
not been able to extend the civil service
rules over the District government. But
every PRESIDENT has taken a personal In
terest IN the District, and the present Pres
the District, is especially friendly to the
District In every way, and has done more
for 1T than any other President since Wash
Grant
Division of Work.
In the regular administration Of the af-
fairs Of the District the Commissioners
have for convenience. divided their work
into three divisions, each comprising as
many departments as one Commissioner
can carefully supervise. changes being made
from time to time as conditions require.
Under this plan each Commissioner di-
reefs certain departments and reports upon
them to the others, all important questions
being settled by the three Commissioners
In board meetings, which are held as often
as may be necessary. Public hearings are
given by the full board whenever citizens
desire, or whenever the Commissioners de-
sire the views Of citizens. The official list
OF District government affairs shows over
ninety matters, large and small, distributed
among the three Commissioners The En-
gineer Commissioner naturally supervises
all the engineering work, including all
matters as to buildings and other cor
structions, sidewalks, pavements. parkings,
street and steam railways, and also the
important water department.. All duties
not otherwise assigned fall to the president
Of the board. who is chosen by his asso-
ciates at the beginning of each admins
tration. In addition, the president Of the
board Is expected to represent it on many
official occasions and especially in making
addresses of welcome to guests Of the
District.
1.-The great and constantly increasing
business OF the District government keeps
the Commissioners continually busy, rot
only at their offices in the District build
ing, or on their inspection tours through
out the District, but at times also at their
homes and. Of course. when Congress is ii.
session at the Capitol.
Callers, Including Office Seekers.
AN important duty, which takes half
their time, is receiving callers, bringing
advice, complaints, applications for office
and requests of many kinds. Much Of this
time is profitably spent, for the Commits
sioners, knowing that the District is and
ought to be governed by public opinion,
welcome all suggestions from citizens. They
desire and maintain close and friendly re-
lations with all organizations Of citizens
aiming to improve the District, and they
endeavor in every possible way to learn
the public will. But much Of the time
tdheL ny dppllCdHtS employ IeHt
the District is practically wasted. since
applications in writing answer every pur-
pose. The Commissioners have absolute
power Of appointment to all offices under
the District government, except the few
filled by the appointment of the President
and those under the board of education,
whose members are appointed by the Com
missioners. They have not been able to
get the civil service act extended over the
District offices, notwithstanding repeated
efforts which will be kept up. But they
have maintained a merit system OF ap-
pointment and promotion. They naturally
want the best they can get in making
appointments and they try to maintain
a high standard. Good men are always
kept, and there are few vacancies at any
time, and none at most times. When va
cancies occur all appropriate applications
are carefully considered and the best ap
plicants are appointed. From 100 to 800
persons call on the Commissioners person
ally every day, as a rule. besides many
more who are content to transact their
business through the secretary, or some
other official On some days an even larger
number call on the Commissioners. On an
average half of them come to ask for
offices for themselves or their friends. At
times it is difficult for the Commissioners
to attend to more important business be-
cause of the calls OF Office seekers. who
in most cases cannot hope for anything
but sympathy