Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-18
MESSAGE FALLS FLAT.
Congress Fails to Enthuse
Over One-Man Rule.
NO ACTION THIS SESSION
Several Reasons Why Presidents
Advice Is Coldly Received.
NOT IN THE MOOD FOR IT
Some Senators Not Even Aware
Change in District Government
Has Been Recommended.
NO ACTION THIS SESSION
NOT IN THE MOOD FOR IT

There's not a chance that the Presi-
dents recommendation that the three Dis
trict Commissioners be replaced by sin
gle governor will go through at the pres
ent session of Congress. There's very
little probability even that the question
will be given serious consideration by this
Congress. And, if the truth must be
known. there's mighty little chance that
this or the next Congress will pay any
attention whatever to the message. in so
far as it treats of change in the local
government.
1t is not at all hard to find out that
this is the situation at the Capitol. AS
matter of fact Congress is in no mood
at this time to pay respectful attention to
what the President may have to say on
any subject. That's one reason for the
condition of affairs with respect to the
message of yesterday transmitting the
Reynolds report and approving of it. The
other reason is that the idea of one
man power, when the one man is to be
appointed by the President, doesn't APP
peal to senators and representatives on
its merits
Now. if the proposition were that a
governor be elected by the people. there
would be a good deal of support for it,
provided it should ever come to the front
which wouldn't be likely for some time
But the Presidents ideas on the subject
and those of Mr.. Reynolds are regarded at
the Capitol as being directly opposed to
the local self-government proposition. A
bill granting suffrage to the District on
local matters would by no means have
perfectly plain sailing. but it would most
assuredly encounter much fairer weather
and more favorable winds than the pres
ent proposition for greater centralization
of power in the executive.
Little Interest in Message.
1t is an interesting fact that with the
exception of a few members of the Dis
trict committee Of both branches the SEN
ators and representatives don't know what
was in the message sent by the President
yesterday. and are taking no trouble to
find out. Several members of the Sen
ate District committee, when asked yes
terday afternoon for their opinion on
the message. didn't even know that there
was such a thing. although it had just
been read in the Senate chamber.
This doesn't mean at all that the Dis
trict committees are not interested in local
matters. nor that Congress is not.
rule. when they are brought to its at
tention. The local street railway ques-
tions, gas, LIQUOR and school LEGISLATION.
general proposition, are all occupying tle
mind of Congress. But the national leg
islators are not at this time looking to
the President for advice.
Senator Gallnger. chairman of the Dis
trict committee of the upper branch and
the man who has more to say about what
shall be done in the District than any
other. has read both the Reynolds report
and the message very carefully. but he is
not willing to express opinion before
hearing the evidence in the case. He is
an exception 20 the general rule. Mr..
Gallnger never let's anything concerning
the District slip by without looking into
it.
Mr.. Gallinger Non-Committal.
MY position he said this morning ''is
really a judicial one. and l do not feel
that l should give my ideas on the sub
ject. when / might have to change them
after hearings have been held
He was willing. however. to say this:
II believe that the proposition to inn
prove conditions in the District socioIogic-
ally, as recommended by the President
and in the Reynolds report. should be
considered apart from the governmental
proposition. / believe they will be when
the time comes. They are not related. as
matter of fact.
Mr.. Galliuger has long been interested
in cleaning up the Capital city. and
stands In favor of any measure that will
accomplish any good along that line. lie
doesn't think Washington is especially in
need of being cleaned up''--that is to
say. that it is worse off in this respect
than other cities-but he wants to see it
as nearly perfect IL is possible to make
it.