Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-17
DISTRICT GOV ERN Or
SOME COMMENT ON THE NEW
PROPOSITIONS.

The exclusive report in The Star last
evening. relative to the proposed change
in the form of the District government.
whereby the District would be controlled
by q governor instead of three Commits
sioners, as at present, caused renewal of
the discussion of the subject, which has
been going on quietly for number OF years
among members of Congress, District OFF,
cIals and citizens of Washington. The im-
preston seemed to be that perhaps the
change will not be attempted at the pres
. ent session of Congress, butSit is the opin-
ion of many persons who have given at
tention to- the proposition that movement
for the change Is certainly coming, and
within short time, proba bly, at the next
session of Congress-
The Stars report of the proposition occa-
stoned considerable comment on the mat
ter at the District building today. Com
nissioners Macfarland and Biddle declined
to discuss the proposition for publication,
and also declined to indicate their attitude
toward the proposition. 1t is understood,
however, that Commissioner Henry l.. West
favors the proposition to give the District
government under one man, instead of a
three-headed form of government, at
present. 1t is believed by Mr. West so it
is understood, that a form of government
with one man at the head would be more
desirable than the present three-cornered
arrangement, because it. would accomplish
results, be more direct and businesslike in
it's operations. and would cut off great
many yards ofyofficial tape.
One member of the District official family
today stated to "a reporter for The Star
that the one-man form of government is
the logical form, and is bound to come
sooner or later The United States" this
official said, -+'has a president, the various
states have governors, the cities have
mayors, all large corporations have presi-
dent, and the District certainly should
have a governor
The opinion was also advanced that the
District of Columbia is of sufficient i'm
portance as a community to permit of Its
official head being designated by the d1gnl-
fled title of governor. At present, 1t is de-
clared, the District government is COM
posed of three little governments. which
revolve around the three Commissioners.
One member of Congress said today, in
speaking of the desirability of inaugurating
the proposed change in form of govern
ment, that the delay sometimes incident
Congress to the Commissioners would be
obvjated if there were only one official
charged with the duty of reporting on the
measure. Several incidents were mentioned
wherein delay had been experienced in get
ting reports on bills. owing to the disagree
ment of members of the board of Commits
sioners and the time necessary for them to
get together on report.
An official of the District government eX-
pressed the opinion that by the adoption of
the change in form of government reported
in The Star yesterday the work of the mu-
nicipality would be conducted with greater
uniformity, that the business would be dis
patched with greater rapidity, and that
more compact organization of the District
service could be effected