The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1909-02-06
WASHINGTON LETTER
feosclaI cOrrsspondsncAl

District form Of government AS eY-
erxbody probably well knows. AFFAIRS
are administered now by a commission
OF three men appointed BY the presi-
dent. one OF whom must be an army
engineer. Those opposing the present
form of government argue that IL lacks
In concentration and efficiency, tnat
uublic matters are delayed by reason
Of having three heads and that tne
whole plan Is inherently weak ana mas
long been outgrown by the city.
There Is undoubtedly a growing
oplnion that d concentration OF au-
thority IN the District government
wouId simplify the municipal situation
and produce better results. The COM
mission plan has its good features. II
has long been held up as model
ideally suited to the needs OF the Dis
trict of Columbia, where suffrage Is
denied.
Favor Single Head.
Many substantial citizens and large
taxpayers are convinced that a one
headed government would work more
smoothly and satisfactorily. This is
no new conviction on their part. 1t
has been emphasized by recent exhi-
billions Of division In the present tri-
umvirate, It il true, but the advisable
ity OF concentrated authority has APP
pealed to them for years.
These citizens, however, who honest
" believe IN the wisdom Of a change
for the public good, see great danger
IN going before congress and asking
for a change at this time. II by sim
ME act one commissioner or governor
could be substituted for the triumvi-
rate they would urge It earnestly and
heartily.
Fear Unrestricted Suffrage.
But they fear the proposition would
mean the opening up OF the whole
question Of the relations between the
District and federal government with
q possible alteration Of the organic act
and perchance the granting Of unre-
stricted suffrage.
Better suffer the Ills we have, they
argue, than invite us we know not
of, especially as the fls we now have
though vexatious. impose no heavy
burdens and involve no maladminis'
tration. In other words, they are re
Iuctant to take the chance OF Jumping
from the frying pan into the fire.
II the present form OF government
makes for discord, which is freely ad
mitted, It has, at any rate, not resulted
In graft and corruption Of affairs here
often clumsy and slow and unsatis
factory, nevertheless has been almos
uniformly free from scandal, save II
minor places. The integrity Of the
commissioners themselves he's nevel
been brought into question.
To Plant Thousands Of Trees.
There will be more and better tree
lining the streets Of Washington b.
next spring than ever before II thu
plans Of the division Of trees and park
ing Of the District government are ma
terialized.
The officials are busily engaged II
planting trees throughout the city
both In the residential and bushes
sections, and it Is expected that, II tn
weather viii permit, the department
VIII place In the ground more trees o
all varieties this fan than have bee
planted during any one season in TWEEN
/ ty-hye years.
From District Nurseries.
The nurseries OF the District govern
ment at the foot Of e street southeas
and In Georgia avenue win supply tn
trees to be used In identifying tn
city. OF the 2,1O0 to be set out, Eur
pean sycamores, elms, Norway NAPLES
sugar naples, pin. oaks, gingkos an
Iindens will be In the majority.
During the summer the requests Q
residents for trees to be placed
: front Of their homes were CAREFUL
considered, and whenever IT was f0un
, advisable to grant the requests WORT
men were sent to these locations an
! excavations made. These excavation
are seven feet long, three and q hal
feet wide and four feet deep.
These were filed with rich earth {
the time they were dug. They are no
; ready for the reception Of the trees.
Preparing For Inauguration.
Already Washington Is agitated ov'
the inaugural ceremonies and the in
: tiation Of William h. Taft into the o
Zee Of president March 4.
( Commissioner Mcfarland has So
e gested that a departure be MAD
8 from the time honored custom
8. holding the inaugural bail In the pc
sion ONCE. he believes It should
q held In the new National museu
/ building. which viii be finished In 9
probability by March 4.
Schools Of Lons Ago.
The public schools in the District
Columbia were established In $50
Thomas Jefferson, president Of 4
United States, being the first presidel
Of the board. In those early days tv
|. kinds Of pupils attended the school
those who paid for instruction Al
those who did not Nothing cou
have been devised to promote ella
distinction more effectively than 50
a system. The civil war changed