Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-18
bill AFFECTS LICENSES
COMMISSIONERS SEEK POWER
TO RAISE STANDARD.
Proposed Measure Provides for Sus.
pension in Cases Of Dere-
LECTION Of Duty.

Mechanics, chauffeurs. plumbers and
others who ply a trade or follow a call
ing which requires q license or permit
had better be careful or they may have
their licenses revoked. because the Com
missioners have sent to Senator Gallinger
the draft OF a. bill which empowers the
city fathers to make licensees walk a
chalk line or lose the right to do business.
What the bill proposes Is to keep the
licensed mechanics, chaufeurs. etc. at
the degree OF sobriety and expert fitness
to make a living out OF the public which
is set by the good men OF the various
craft. 1t is the opinion q the Commits
sioners that the majority OF licensed me-
chanics and licensed followers of all
trades will hail this measure with joy.
It is intended to keep the meier do
wells out Of the business and gives a
good mechanics license q steadier value
than ever. 4,
By the terms of the bill the Commits
sioners will have the power to fix the
period Of suspension and also to limit the
time Of licenses and permits and renew
ais. This authority Is to be granted In
addition to other legal remedies by way
of prosecution which the Commissioners
have at their disposal at present.
Commissioners Give Reasons.
The reasons why the Commissioners feel
they should have power to revoke licenses,
as contained IN their letter to Senator
Gallinger, are as follows:
1T has frequently been found by the
Commissioners that it is difficult to get
the necessary evidence for conviction in
the courts Of persons who violate the
terms of their licenses or permits. and yet
the Commissioners have knowledge that
the laws and regulations are frequently
and persistently violated by certain IL
censees and permittees.
THE courts have held in the case Of
plumbers that persons once licensed can
not have their licenses suspended or re-
voked where any other form Of punish
ment is provided by law. This limitation
seriously affects the object sought In
requiring licenses to be ohtained-that Is.
the proper regulation Of the work done
by the licensees to secure honest and
faithful work. II Is the endeavcr Of the
Commissioners before granting license
which requires an examination as a,
condition precedent to see. that the can,
didate has knowledge Of the laws and
regulations governing the trade or bust
ness for which a license is required. and
also to see that he is proper character
CT person to be licensed.
May Be Untrustworthy.
at may afterward develop. however.
that while the applicant has the neces-
sary technical education to comply with
the laws and regulations. his character
is such that he cannot be trusted to COM
ply with these laws and regulations, es-
pecially in the case Of plumbing and gas
fitting. where a portion Of the work done
can be covered up before it is inspected.
knowing that their licenses cannot be sus-
pended or revoked by the Commissioners.
the regulations are violated and the rem
edies provided for by prosecution are
found insufficient to cover the case.
Some of the offenses committed are
not and cannot well be. covered by law
or regulation. and yet they are such as
to warrant a persistent offender being de-
barred from continuing to carry on