The Washington herald., 1909-06-18

William Howard Taft. President Of the
United States. is now an honorary mem
Der Of the Chamber Of Commerce. His
name was proposed last night at meet
ing OF the directors for that honor, and
he was unanimously elected
A committee composed Of President
William F. GUIDE, Robert n. Harper.
William E. shannon. p T. Gormly, end
George Stuart was appointed 10 visit
President Taft and inform him of his
election.
At the meeting Of the special commit
tee Of the Chamber. which immeditely
followed that Of the directors, charged
with an investigation into the proposed
changes in the form of the District gov
ernment. an Illuminating discussion OF
the subject was had. James B. Reynolds,
who several months ago made a report
TO President Roosevelt. and recommended
a change from the three Commissioners
10 one-man rule. was heard in advocacy
OF that proposition. Opposed TO him
was Henry Z. Davis, who strongly de-
Tended the present form. and spoke for
an hour eloQuently defending the COM
mission system and pointing out why
II was the only government that would
work well for the Federal City.
Meeting Largely Attended.
A large gathering OF the members OF
the committee and Of the members OF the
Chamber greeted the speakers and lis
tened intently to all that both had 10
say. It is doubtful whether ever so much
has been well said in criticism OF and in
favor Of the existing condition Of things
in the District OF Columbia
II may be said in this connection that
while the committee Of the Chamber Of
Commerce is charged by that body with
Investigating the subject and making a
report to the Chamber next fall. the com
mittee Is not advocating a change. but is
seeking facts regarding the situation.
which viii be considered. and some OF
which Will be embodied IN the report 70
The Chamber.
At last nights meeting Ernest A. Dan
lei. chairman. presided He introduced
Mr.. J. 3. Reynolds.
1Ir. Reynolds Defines Position.
Mr.. Reynolds prefaced his address by
describing the manner in which he was
commissioned by President Roosevelt 10
make an investigation into municipal
conditions in Washington, quoting, in
part, Mr.. Roosevelts letter Of instruc-
tons Mr.. Reynolds disclaimed any pur-
pose 10 criticise the District Commls-
siOners. as such. and explained that his
recommendations were aimed at the sys-
tenn and not at any persons holding Of
fee under t.
Mr.. Reynolds address. being founded
upon his report 20 the President, consist
ed In the statement Of six propositions,
their explanation and amplifcation. The
first point taken up was the extension
Of the merit system IN the appointment
OF officers and their retention in service
and promotion solely on the ground OF
merit
Mr.. Reynolds described 70 what extent
this IS already practiced. and the general
good results which have followed the
adoption OF the principle OF true civil
service reform.
Would Create a Governor.
The second and most interesting rec
ommendation was the substitution Of a
single executive for three, such execu-
tive to be known as the governor Of the
District Of Columbia, and to receive a
salary Of not less than $1,000 Upon this
subject Mr.. Reynolds said:
Under the present system. as under
stand II, the three Commissioners while
IN theory equally responsible for the en-
ef-
tice partially divide direct responsibility
IN their conduct Of the various depart
ments OF bureaus, but they decide eonec-
lively all important questions OF general
policy.
This system has two fundamental de-
fects. Authority is divided and action is
thereby inevitably delayed. Responsible.
fly IS divided, hence accountability is un-
certain. Such division Of executive au-
thOrity is opposed TO the first canon OF
business efficiency. Division Of responsi-
bility IS equally contrary 10 the principle
Of the definite accountability OF public Of
fcials
NO other complaint was so frequently
made 10 me by citizens OF the District
as that Of their difficulty in locating Of
fetal authority and responsibility ia re-
spect 10 specific action. And I should
hasten TO add that the criticism was rare
" Of the Commissioners individually, but
Of the system. Such a situation IS. I sub
nit, highly unsatisfactory. 1t should not
be possible TO evade responsibility. II
SHOULD not be necessary TO deny il. OF.
ficial authority should be clearly located
defined, and limited,
1T is true that in many villages and
towns in the United States this system
OF administration exists. but not in any
city. so far as I am aware, containing a
population Of over 10000. Its adoption for
Washington IN 1874 seems 10 me to sug-
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