The Washington times., 1908-12-16
Will Send Special Message to
Congress Based on ReY-
nolds Investigation.
HEAVY PRESSURE
BROUGHT TO BEAR
Not Believed He Favors Other
Changes Than TO Have
Single Executive.

President Roosevelt Will send to Con-
gress. before it adjourns on Saturday
for the holidays. the message he has
prepared. on the form OF government OF
the District Of Columbia. This an
nouncement wass made today.
There has been considerable pressure
from bath sides, on one side 70 induce
the President TO send in the message at
the beginning Of the session. on the
other 70 keep IL back as long as posi-
ble. The people who asked that IL be
held back feared that its delivery would
cOmplicate the efforts 10 pass the gas
legislation. n view Of the prompt and
decisive action Of the House in that
matte, however, Il is felt at the White
House that there Is no serious occasion
for longer delay.
The nesage was written sorne weeks
ago. 1t places the President 5 indorse-
ment on the general proposal OF James
Bronson Reynolds. FOR the abolition OF
the triumvirate executive head Of the
District government. and the substitu-
tion Of a single executive.
Mr.. Reynolds was asked long time
ago 10 make this investigation for the
president. His report goes into the Dis
trfct administration. II is understood. in
a good deal OF detail, pointing out many
specific instances OF the alleged unsatis-
factory working OF the present govern
ment, due 20 he division OF respOusi-
bility. The Reynolds report will be
transmitted. accompanying the Presi-
dents message.
FavOTs a Change.
The President has for long time
inclined 10 the opinion that some
changes In the District government
would improve f. 1t IS understood
that he has not in mind any other
significant change than the substItu-
ton OF the single executive. Mr..
Reynolds report. IL IS stated. does not
recommend franchise, a legislature, or
representation ir Congress.
''he e-Orune O. Congress toward the
proposed reorganization Is REGARDED as
Ikely 10 develop much interest. huf the
expressions Of nearly all the men. Jers
who have been identified closely with
District legislation lead to the couclu-
sion that there viii be no serious ef-
fort 10 pass such legislation.
Are Not Enthusiastic.
Members OF the District committees
have frankly expressed the opinion that
the message viii cause a nine-days
spasr OF interest. AMI :hat then Il will
be forgotten To pass such an impOr-
tant ac- would necessitate a good deal
OF hearing and Investigation. and there
would De almost certain 10 be long dis
cussiOn in both Houses At the short
session, therefore, practically no
chance OF the legislation is believed to
exist. After this session. with a change
OF administration and no pressure for
the change. the chances are that the
movement viii be dropped
At the District Building great interest
mas been taken for a long time in the
contents Of the Reynolds report Ru-
NOR Is that between officials of the
District Government, on one side. and
Mr.. Reynolds on the other. there have
not subsisted uniformly amiable and
agreeable relations, IN connection with
this inquiry. Mr. Reynolds conclusions
nave not been calculated 70 impress the
District Commissioners that he was an
ardent admirer OF their admi Istrario17
methods; while among District officials
the impression that Mr. Revnolds ,,-ss
disposed 10 carp and 10 make a case"
whether he had the evidence or not
has been apparent.