The Washington times., 1910-06-24
Chamber of Commerce Com
mittee to Suggest Means
of Reform.
BUSINESS MEN FEEL
CHANGE is NEEDED
Former Commissioner West Advo-
Gates Enlarging Powers of Dis
trict Government AS Remedy.

Additional criticism was heard today
from citizens Of the District and mem
| bers Of Congress concerning the man
ner in which District legislation has
been side tracked during the present
session. And other suggestions have
been made as 70 a way out Of legis-
lative difficulty.
indicating the Interest felt in the
matter. A LeftwicE Sinclair. has de-
cided TO call meeting Of the law and
/ order committee OF IN" Chamber OF
Commerce 70 devise, # possible, some
plan by which the Diccriy. can get the
bis needed passe The fact that
more than thirty important measures
We're not considered in the House this
session, has convinced members Of the
( Chamber Of Commerce that a change
III the system is needed, II Washington
II 70 make the civic Improvement she
desires.
The Times editorial commenting upon
the ofScOuragIng state Of affairs has
I caused wide comment in business cir
CleS ana the gravity OF the legislative
s;CJatOn has aroused WashingtOniaus
I as never before When bulls like the
EaS measures. the teachers retirement
I bill, the policemen retirement bill. the
loan shark bill. and otners OF al
most as great Importance fail OF pas
sage because the House is unwilling
70 give the District it's day" il is
I freely admitted by those studying the
/ question that a change is imperative.
Former Commissioners Views.
Former Commissioner Henry L. West
! declares that the best way out is an
( enlargement OF the powers OF thu
I Commissioner
q have studied the problem for
u go.
10 talk Of a representative in Con-
gress. for that requires suffrage and
q constitutional amendment, which We
cannot obtain.
This legislation question. however,
Z can DC settled by q slight enlarge
ment OF the powers or the Commits
hloneIs-lE other words, give thsrn
authority 10 leglslaLe over a number
OK small matters, such as are dis
posed o. by the mayors and city couu-
CHS OF other cities They already have
the right TO make police and heaIth
I regulations. / would extend that au-
monty 10 cover everything except
three classes Of legislation:
That dealing with finances
I .LLat dealing with public property.
mat dealing with public service
corporations
These matters. Of larger moment
must be handled by Congress. There
I Is no earthly reason why Congress
, should bother with the smaller things.
consuming much time and talking 10
I death District days.
For instance, in reading The Times
editorial. / ind numerous bills that
nave failed Of passage covering mar
| Iers which the Commissioners alone
should have handled.
Purely Police Matters.
The Commissioners, without going 10
Congress, should have had the rfrbr N
TX the amount 70 be charged by loan
companies: 70 regulate the purchase
sale OF gift Of dangerous weapons 10
provide for the removal OF snow and
ice from the sidewalks; 70 regulate the
/ production Of milk and cream and ice
cream; 20 provide for lighting vehicles.
the better registration OF births. and 80
on down the list All thesz are reguIa-
tive police matters whic! CONGRESS
should not take up time In considering
Let Congress take care Of the bigger
/ things and give the Commissioners
slight additional authority & nd this will
90 further than Delegate upon the
floor. II viii put an end 20 this cues
[ ton Of unpassed District legislation.
which is revived each year when Con
greSS fails or refuses to give the Dis
+ trict more Of its time
Frequently whole days have been
wasted through the session IN debate
upon some small bill that might have
/ been put into effect within an hour or
so had the Commissioners been given
/ the authority. No one has ever att cked
[ the honesty OF ability CT the District
Commissioners since the Inauguration
| OF the commission syst n. Why. then
should Congress concern itse,C with
minor police and health regulations
when more important legislation should
demand its attention.
Treated Outrageously.
4 Captain James F. Oyster OF the Cham
/ Der Of Commerce and Board OF Trade.
/ said:
THE treatment accorded District mat
/ tiers during the present session OF Con-
gross borders upon the outrageous. The
people Of the United States viii not be
! grudge any money spent upon the Ma
tional Capital. nor any legislation passed
for It's benefit. The Capital belongs to
the entire nation. That It's affairs
should be left entirely in the hands OF
men who have their own sections TO
/ look after and that we have no repre-
/ sentative OF our own is very sad state
/ OF affairs.
/ I am opposed TO suffrage for the
/ District. but I am in hearty accord with
any feasible plan that will enable US 10
/ get legislation through. Year in and
year out the District Is being showed
I aside and, as pointed out by The Times
: the record Of bills not acted upon at
/ this session is formidable creatine a
situation that is disgTaCeful."
/ Edwin A Newman, Democratic ma
/ tional committeeman for the District.
said:
J There IS no doubt that the situation
/ is a serious one. The District bills haze
once more been side tracked. and MANY
l of them were Of vital Importance TO the
suffrage for the District and for repre-
! sentation upon the floor Of Cougrt IS.
/ This is the only way that I see to yet
our demands"