Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-10
REYNOLDS VIEW
NOT POPULAR
Residents of District Object to
Change in Government.
EXPRESSION OF OPINION
Interviews With Senators, Representa-
tives and Others.
SOME SUGGESTIONS APPROVED
Majority Of People Satisfied With
Present System, But Want Rep
resentation in Congress.
Interviews With Senators, Representa-
tives and Others.
SOME SUGGESTIONS APPROVED

The consensus of opinion as given
in a number of interviews today
with senator's, representatives in
Congress and citizens prominent in
District affairs, is adverse to the
changes in the government of the
District of Columbia, as proposed in
the Reynolds report, submitted to
President Roosevelt and given out
for publication at the White House
yesterday. These interviews OBJ
tanned by The Star show conclu-
sively that the people are against
the changes in the local form of gov
eminent presented by Mr.. Reynolds.
II there is any important sentiment in
favor Of the recommendation OF Mr.. Rey-
nolds for the appointment of a governor
Of the District of Columbia to exercise the
authority now vested in the three Commits
sioners it is not to be discovered by talk
ing with senator's, representatives, officials
or citizens. The most common comment
heard on Mr.. Reynolds and his plan for a
District government is: What is the
necessity for such change and what is
to be gained by IT."
Senator Cullom. who has taken a great
interest In the District during his long
term In Congress, shook his head when
seen by Star reporter today, and declared
that unless 1t could be shown that there
was need for change in the present form
of government for the District he could
see no reason in bringing 1t about.
III 1t can be shown that some things can
be improved or that there are abuses to be
corrected, 1t would be well to take up the
matter of the administration of the Dis
trict. But when we do that we should have
a definite idea of what Is to be corrected
Changes might be made. but they should be
directed to specific things.
$50 far al can see we are getting along
very well with our District government. II
seems to be a simple form OF government
and Is working all right. So far as am
concerned | would have to be persuaded Of
some good to be accomplished before I
would vote for q change"
Senator Cullom's experience as legisla-
tor for the District of Columbia goes back
many years. 1t was he who introduced In
the House of Representatives a bill to give
the District territorial form Of govern
ment, which took form eventually in the
administration Of Gov. Shepherd. It was
was passed. but another introduced at about
the same time. From that time to this
Senator Cullom has watched developments
in the District with great interest.
misrepresentation Babcock's Views.
Mr. ]. w. Babcock, who for twelve years
was chairman of the House committee on
the District Of Columbia and thoroughly
conversant with all phases of District af
fairs, read the Reynolds report with inter-
est, but does not agree with all Of Mr..
Reynolds recommendations. In the first
place he does not see the necessity for
change In the system of government and
does not think there Is cause or even de-
mand for reform
Il think Congress will be slow to make
change in the present SYSTEM" said Mr..
Babcock to a Star man today. until some
good reasons are advanced in support of
such q proposition. 1t Is my Impression
that the general sentiment in Congress-,
among those who are informed on and take
an interest in the subject, is that Washing
ton is one of the best-governed cities. II not
indeed the best-governed in the country.
who is demanding reform and upon
what allegations is the demand based?
There is no graft In the city administra-
ton, but on the contrary there Is the most
scrupulous honesty in the expenditure of
the taxpayers money. II Congress appro-
pirates 500 for public work we know that
we will get q hundred dollars worth OF
labor and material. In some other cities
the public would only get a percentage OF
it, depending upon the city and the system
IN vogue.
Believes Congress Is Satisfied.
Representative Hull of Iowa. chairman
of the committee on military affairs. who
has been in Congress sixteen years and
has always manifested keen sympathy with
nd
capital, said today:
II do not think Congress will act favor
ablv on Mr.. Reynolds Recommendations
for a change. What is the necessity? The
city is we'll governed at present and the
system Is working admirably. 1t IS
clean and efficient government, free from
scandal and the peoples money is expend-
ed effectively as well as honestly.
"As- for Mr.. Reynolds suggestion for
Capitalization of power IN one man. we are
trying to get away from that very tnfng
in nv home town Of Des Moines. We will
have an election In June to determine
whether there shall be board OF commits
sioners OF five persons to exercise the
powers now vested IN the mayor. Under
that plan the mayor will only be one of
the number. and responsibilities and duties
will be divided.
II think washington Is 9. model of mu-
nicipal government, and believe that Con-
1ress Is satisfied with the existing system
i Difference Not MANIFEST s.
..After ali. what Is the essential differ
ence between Mr. Reynolds suggestion and
the. system now In operation? As far az /
can see It Hes mainly In the proposition to
create one executive head The duties he
would require o. different departments are
now being fuldlied by bureaus. and he
would only elevate the heads OF those bu-
reaus to the rank Of commissioners, with
Increased salaries and, consequently. added
burdens upon the taxpayer
After going to one extreme. in the CEN
trahxati0n OF all executive power In an in.
dtvidual, he goes as far in the other direc-
ton by Recommending q board OF 100 citi-
sens to have some vague kind Of super
vision. or suggestive Jurisdiction Well. you
have your citizens associations now and
your Board OF Trade.
Summing up Mr. Reynolds report I can
not ind that hes has discovered any condf-
tons demanding reform: he only proposes
q change. and I do not believe Congress
will adopt his suggestion for change with
out good reasons advanced.
n ffon IN Coy, crnan sFa uAorad $