The Washington times., 1908-12-17
Roosevelt Sends a Special
Message on District to
Congress.
WANTS SPECIAL
HOUSING BOARD
Suggestions Are Based on Report
Mdae By James Bronson Reyn-
oldS on the Local Situation.

The substitution of a governor in
place of the three Commissioners;
the establishment of District lnunici-
pal departments in place Of the eX-
iSting bureaus, and the creation of
new department to be known as
that Of Housing and Labor, are three
recommendations embodied in a
special message sent to Congress
this morning by President Roose-
velt
The President bases his message
upon the report of James Bronson
Reynolds, who investigated the Dis
triCt Government, spending several
months in this work and in refer
ence to this report, which was made
public several months ago, he says:
81 ask your careful consideration of
the entire report; Mr.. Reynolds has
rendered a great and diSintereSted
serice, for which our heartieSt thanks
are due him."
To Fight Disease.
The President says that particularly
is the creation of a department of
housing desired, since such a depart
ment could undoubtedly render great
service in conquering disease I'm the
Capital lie says that there would be
increased efficiency in a single head,
and recommends that the department
Of education be co-ordinated with the
other city departments.
The message in full follows:
To the Senate and House Of Represen-
tatives.
The rapid increase Of population in
the National Capital within recent years
has greatly altered social conditions.
necessitating changes in the machinery
of its administration. Greater efficiency
and a better provision for the protec-
ton Of both the industrial and depend
ent class are required
Recognizing these needs. I have had
a special report made to me on the af-
fairs Of the District Of Columbia, which
I transmit herewith. / cordially ap-
prove the recommendations in the re-
port for: the substitution Of a single
head or governor in place OF three Com
missioners; the establishment Of Dis
trict and municipal departments in
place OF existing bureaus: and the crea-
tion Of a new department to be known
as that OF housing and labor. I ask
your careful consideration of the entire
report; Mr.. Reynolds has rendered a
great and disinterested service for which
our heartiest thanks are due him.
To Increase Efficiency.
A single executive head would in
crease efficiency. determine response
billty, and eliminate delays and incer-
tainties under the present system; mu-
nicipaI departments headed by commits
sioners to be appointed by the gov
ernor would yield the same advantage
In the proposed scheme OF reorgani-
zation. the department OF education
should be co-ordinated with other city
departments.
l especially urge that the proposed
department Of housing and labor be
established. Poverty, disease, and
crime are largely due to defects Of so
cial conditions and surroundings. The
need Of improved sanitary inspection
Of dwellings, rear alleys. and small
shacks tsuch as, unhappily. still exist
IN Washington, and of stores. work
shops. and factories should not be left
10 subordinate bureau chiefs, but should
be brought under the direct control of
a competent head OF the above named
department
An equally important public Tespon-
sibnity is the protection Of the inde-
pendent industrial class which neither
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