The Washington times., 1906-05-05
CITIZENS SCORE
COMMISSIONERS
Say Authorities Railroad
Legislation.
DO NOT CONSULT PEOPLE
Point to New Fire Escape Law as
Evil Effect Of Such a
Method.
Do NOT CONSULT PEOPLE

Two important resolutions were adopt
ed at the regular monthly meeting OF
the Citizens Northwest Suburban Asso-
dation last night at Masonic Hall, Ten
leytown. The first resolution dealt with
the proposed change in the manner Of
appointing members OF the Board Of
Education, and protested against taking
this power from the District Commits
sioners and placing IL IN the hands of
the judges of the District courts.
This resolution was offered by Col. j.
l. Tate and seconded by l. ?. Shoe
maker. Prof. W. G. Ireland, principal
OF the Tenleytown public schools, warm
ly advocated the adoption Of the reso-
luton, as did c. G. Lancaster, presi-
dent of the Citizens Association.
President Lancaster spoke unsparingiy
of those who bad induced the House
District Committee to report the bill
changing our school system. He called
the people who had appeared before the
committee 'cranks and meddlers." He
urged that the members call on the Sen
ate committee and tell the committee
what they wanted,
Second. z solution.
Just after the adoption OF the Tate
Of several members by Offering a resoIu-
ton which severely criticised the Dis
trict Commissioners for initiating legis-
latioa without first letting the citizens
know anything about the measures
drafted by the Commissioners and sent
to Congress 10 be enacted into law.
The resolution protested against the
unwise practice OF the Commissioners of
- 90 IN.
ing bills TO Congress without giving the
citizens affected thereby a right TO. be
heard" A lively debate followed the
reading OF the resolution. Mr.. Shoe
maker put UP a strong argument In sup
port Ot his resolution and was ably sec
onded by Dr. Chapel, who said the
Commissioners were not appointed 20
legislate for the citizens, but rather to
enforce the laws.
Tho Initiative should come from the
people OF the District. he said, and the
Commissioners should not recommend
the passage OF any law that was not in
dorsed by the people. The Commission
ers should be prohibited by law from
recommending legislation without first
hearing from the people. Colonel Tate.
s. McCOmas Hawkins. and Secretary
Tate spoke in opposition TO the resolu-
tion. taking the position that il was an
unfair criticism OF the Commissioners.
Fire Escape Law.
President Lancaster urged its adoption
and said some such legislation was
necessary. He referred 10 the railroad
ing through the Office OF the Commits
sioners' and the two Houses Of Congress
of tho hre-escape law" and other meas
urss Of which. Il the citizens had been
heard. the result would have been dlf-
ferent
T. L. Schmidt hade an impsssioned
talk Of about five minutes In which he
spoke his mind about the fire escape law
and the sanitary law. He Is a tax
payer. he said. but he had no rights
In the District However. when he called
on the Commissioners to protest against
any Of their regulations he spoke right
OUT he did not bow before them for
they were public servants, and he helped
pay their salaries His remarks were
loudly applauded. With a modification
Of language the resolution was agreed
20.
A letter from the Capitol Heights CitI-
zens' Association. indorsing the Hefiin
Jim Crow bill was read. and was fol-
lowed by a resolution offered by Presi-
dent Lancaster in6orsing the bill for
the District OF Columbia. The letter
and the resolution brought about a par
liamentary wrangle which culmina ted
in laying the matter on the table 10 be
called up at the next meeting, the first
Friday in June.
"a resolution asking the Commissioners
10 bring about q uniform telephone rate
for subscribers who live in the suburbs
was adopted.