Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-10

ment as proposed by Mr. Reynolds, though
do believe In the extension of the civil
service rules to the District. as the Com
missioners have already frequently recon-
mended. One change. or rather an add
ton. to our government that we want, Is q
representative or representatives in Con
gress. We have az good people here al
there are anywhere else in the country
and we want to be governed by our owr
people. and the idea of importing the
mayors of other cities to be governors OF
Washington is extremely distasteful.
THE Chamber Of Commerce, which has
that is proposed for the citizens commit
tee Of one hundred"
Objects to Importations.
William F. GUIDE, acting secretary of the
Chamber Of Commerce: Representation
in Congress would be preferable to any
other change. The most serious defect in
the report. as see it, is the recommended
ton that foreign talent be imported to
rule over US. Such action Is uncalled for,
unjust and un-American. I do not wish
to be understood as an advocate of cheap
government, but I see no necessity for
paying an executive department $4,000
when we are thoroughly satisfied and, in
deed, very well served by the three Com
nissioners whose compensation aggregates
$4,000"
Some Suggestions Good.
Thomas w. Smith, president of the East
Washington Citizens Association: Some
OF the suggestions are well enough in their
way, but they do not go to the root of
the question, as hoped the Reynolds re-
port would do. BY all means the Com
missioners should be left. though the Dis
trtct should be given representation in one
or both houses Of Congress. The plan for
committee OF one hundred citizens con-
templates body too cumbersome to ac-
complish desired results. Fifteen members
OF such committee would offer immense
possibilities for good. They could be
elected from subdistricts of the District Of
Columbia: could serve without compensa-
ton or with very small per diem, and.
holding meetings in September, they could
prepare budgets to bring the public needs
directly to the attention of Congress"
Regards Change as Unwise.
DR.. G. Lloyd Magruder of the milk COM
mission Since its establishment. nearly
thirty years age, the present form of gov
eminent has given almost universal salts
faction, and believe q change would be
very unwise. The, proposition to replace
the three Commissioners, who draw IS. 600
each peg, annum. with an executive to cost
x4o.OOO each year, seems Unnecessary And
] am not In favor Of the principle of Inn
porting executives, which would be a total
abolition of home rule as We have it to-
day."
Favors Capitalization,
Generally speaking said Mr.. John b.
Larner, II am thoroughly in accord with
the plan which has been suggested by Mr..
Reynolds, which contemplates a change in
the form Of government for the District of
Columbia. I have for many years favored
centralizing the responsibility for the gov
eminent OF this District in one man. A
form of government similar to that which
we have here, In my judgment, in any large
city In this country would crumble in
very short time. The fact that the govern
Inent of the United States is behind this
District Ii very largely responsible for its
success. believe we have at the present
time as good a government as any city in
the world. 1t is free from all modern forms
OF corruption. but believe that 1t would
be more satisfactory If the responsibility
was conferred in one man.
The District Of Columbia Is a large cor
poration. larger than any commercial,
manufacturing or railroad enterprise within
its limits. There is no reason why mu-
nicipal corporation should not have Its
responsibility centered in one man as are
all business corporations. No one would
ever think of the Pennsylvania railroad or
any other large concern being headed by
three or more persons. The responsibility
Is always conferred in one man. the Presi-
dent.
LAS said before have no fault to find
~
believe the plan for the Capitalization OF
responsibility suggested by Mr.. Reynolds
would be a good thing" sHe.s9
One Man Rather Than Board
w. ". Cox, president, Of the Second
National Bank: - :
las matter Of administration, there is
no doubt OF the advantage in having one
man rather than a board, but whether the
plan advocated Is feasible for the District
o. Columbia is another matter. Concerning
the proposition to have a citizens COMMIT
tee of one hundred, would say the same
functions can easily ana safely be left to
the Board of Trade and the Chamber Of
Commerce.
II was sorry to see Mr.. Reynolds omit
Of the public school question,
because it might have been Illuminating, in
view Of his previous study Of the educa-
tienal problems OF the District. On the
whole. however, the report contained many
good features which may well offer food for
thought"
Present Government Satisfactory.
Charles J. Bell, second vice president Of
the Chamber Of Commerce: 81 can only
say that the present form of government
has been, and still continues to be, entirely
What we do need is a suf-
ficient annual appropriation by Congress to
carry out the growing needs Of growing
city. Many OF the recommendations made
by Mr.. Reynolds are good, but they are SIM
ply Celebrations Of the ideas heretofore ad-
vanced by the Commissioners, and only
money is need to carry them out"
Opposed to Any Change.
Said Mr.. Charles G.. Glover: IT am UNI
qualiaedly opposed to any change In the
form Of the District government. When
once start is made in that direction
there Is no telling where 1t will end. We
have gotten along very well for over a
quarter of a century with our city affairs
and for one believe in letting well enough
alone"
Mr.. J. II. Ralston's Views.
Mr.. J. H. Ralston Of Ralston & Siddons
says:
"As to certain of the recommendations
made by Mr.. Reynolds there is little criti-
cism to be made-for instance, to the sug-
gestion that the provisions Of the civil
service law should cover all minor Offices
In the District of Columbia. The want of
D provision Of this kind Is distinct evil,
only by the exercise of good judg-
far as they are permitted to ex-
ercise ton the part of the District Com
missioners. With the other recommends
tons I cannot find myself in such hearty
accord. II our ideal government Is an au-
tocrattc one, and to be handed down from
D superior to those of an inferior. class, Mr..
Reynolds plan is to be commended, have