The Washington herald., 1909-11-23
COMMITTEE RAPS
REYNOLDS REPORT
Continued from Page One.

Oyster, L. W. Dyre, A. r. Woods, J.
Walter Mitchell. and Evan H. Tucker.
representing the citizens associations Of
the District
The committee deemed il inadvisable 70
enter into any discussion OF the facts and
arguments submitted and contented itself
with making "A brief and succinct state
ment Of its findings II found vigorous
local sentiment favoring unrestricted
suffrage a strong sentiment in favor of
no change at all. and a fast spreading
sentiment I'm favor OF continuing the
present form Of municipal government
with the privilege Of elective representa-
ton in Congress and the Electoral Col
| lege.
Present Methods Faulty.
The committee found, In studying the
| present form OF government. that the
methods in vogue in adopting District
ordinances and in the conduct Of civic af-
and a change in the mode OF municipal
administration. It was thought would be
salutary.
! The committee making the investigation
was composed Of the following members:
Ernest II. Daniel. chairman: Benjamin
/ w. Guy. George r. Walker. Ralph w.
Lee, J. Miller Kenyon, Samuel Ross, Maj.
/ T. Towson Smith. Pereival NJ. Brown,
/ William H. Holloway, George B. Far
| Quhar, Jesse +. POtbury. r Harrison
( Johnson. Frederick c. Handy, Capt
/ James F. Oyster. Col A. c. Randle, and
A. Leftwich Sinclair, member ex omclo.
Findings of the Committee.
After careful study and deliberate CON
sideration Of all the views expressed and
/ data submitted. and as a result or the
| independent Investigation and research
/ by the committee, II has reached certain
| conclusions. which are submitted. as fol-
lows:
FIRST.
! You- committoe believes that the plan az govern
ment recommended by ths Reynolds report "a wrong
1 IN principle and would Prove unsatisfactory and
harmful in practice
Your committee therefore recommends that the
Washington Chamber Of Commsrce placs itssf on
record as strongly opposed % the form 4 govern
ment proposed for the District Of Columbia IN That
report
] Your oonmittcs believes the commission form a
l government Tor the District Of Columbia meets al
The requirements q the District as completely as
/ Your committee believes hat Whatever dizsatisfae
! ton with the present form Of so eminent there
may De. - due % tie prevailing methods Of sd
l mlUistr.tion.
Tho act q cCnTs as amended which created
I the existing form n government. provides for
4 Board Of Commissioners. and. while 10 mode q.
procedure Is prescribed by that act for the trars
/ action Il The public business. the act seems O.
contemplate that the business 81 the Distri-t shall
I be transacted ny the CUunissOnCrs sitting a.
! board. Your Cdmmittrs believes that L the Com
u'issioners would hold daily board sessions open q
! tho public. Tor tho transaction 4 the public bust
ness and act together a board. the questions
arising Tor consideration would b more c1uclitiUusJ
and satisfactorily disposed q than heretofore and
there would he less ground for dissatisfaction o.
the part ~ the citizens with the administration o.
/ municipal Affairs
Moreser 81 Is believed that certain changes shoull
be instituted in the methods Of doing business II
some cf the subordinate branches q the govern
meat, with a view 70 preventing TeIatious delays
THIRD
Your committee recognizes the imp0rrancs u rhs
continued supremacy ~ Fclenl authority In natter
/ PERTAINING % the national government. ard IL be
lievcs that the form n government Tor the Distzlc
| ~ Columbia should b. such as VII enable thu gcu
/ eral government 60 insure % the Executive Cou
grcss tho courts. and the executive Departments o
the government located within the boundaries q thl
District Of Columbia absolute immunity run loca
interference at all tins1.
Your coumittee believes that tho night % a voiO
in making the laws which arc % govern them 81
their concerns AID in selecting the oilers who AZ,
% execute thelr laws and Administer their affair
caanoc 30 tsstly denied forever % snlishtslet
and patriotic PEOPLE.
Your committee believes that sooue- O. later 2
vii he conceded wise and J1st 20 grant 20 the peop
n the District % Columbia an elective REPRESENTA-
ton in Congress and the Electoral College
| IN conclusion. yOuT committee recommends tia
Congress 70 petitioced n authorize tho creation
/ = commission % consist u three persons 90 b ap
pointed hy the President = the United states
three Senators and ihrre Representatives IN Con
Eress. 90 be appointed by their respective bodies
and thres citizens q the District Of Columbia 20 b.
selected by che board o. directors o. tho Wash ingo-
CHAMBER ~ CoumCrCa and the hOGTd Of directors o.
the elective o-7nPTg Of the Washington Board o
Trade and he citizens associations o. the Distric
NJ Columbia should the board 81 trade and th
citizens associations desire 20 participate with ID
chamber 0f CrumerCc In the selection ~ these citf
zsrs this commission % b. charged With the dut
~ investigating the affairs Uf the District az Colum
I hia and SIS government. With power 70 hold hear
iuFs and 90 determine whethe- % is advisable .
S-art % the citiyens - the District Of Colunti
representation tn Coas~rs- and ia Che Electoral Gel
lege and ~ found advisable 20 recommend 20 Con
gress the hest means 70 that end.