Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-06
The District in the Message.

The District in the Message.
President Tafis message to Congress is
this year especially interesting to the peo-
pie of Washington. both in respect to Its
references to the affairs of the executive
departments in which large percentage
of the District people are engaged. and in
its specific recommendations affecting the
municipal affairs. The Presidents intro
ductory words relating to his observations
ON the District are worthy of perpeiuaton
and should result in important legisla
ton az this session:
Washington is the capital of the nation.
and its maintenance as great and beau
tiful city under national control every
lover of his country has much at neart:
and ii should present in every way Il
model In respect to economy of eXpendl-
ture, of sanitation. of tenement reform. of
thorough public instruction, of the proper
regulation of public utilities. of sensible
and extended charities. of the proper care
Of criminals and of youth needing reform,
OF beautiful Fairgrounds and opportunity
for popular recreation and of beautiful
system of parks ! am glad to think that
progress is being made i'm all these direc-
tons, but ! venture to point out certain
specific improvements toward these ends,
which Congress i'll its wisdom might adopt.
Speaking generally. | think there ought
to be more concentration of authority in
respect 10 the accomplishment of some of
these purposes with more economy of
expenditure.
The President recommends concen ra-
ton of authority the public parks in
the District which are now scattered
about i'm various controls Exclusive of
the Soldiers Home and the Washington
hory ba tIa
used as parks comprise over 300 acres.
under ten different controlling officials
bodies. 1t must be agreed, with the Presi-
dent. that this division of jurisdiction is
most unfortunate. and remedial legisla-
ton is decidedly essential.
With reference to the restoration to the
District of the lands lying in Virginia,
originally part of the ten miles square.
the President urges that steps be taken
for the acquisition CT the land lying
along the Potomac river extending from
the railroad bridge to the old District
line. He indicates that assurances have
been given that the state OF Virginia will
not object to such a transfer of territory
to the federal Jurisdiction Unmis:akable
advantages would accrue from such an
extension of the Districts boundaries.
The question of supervision over the
public utilities of the District has lately
been under serious consideration on the
part of the citizens and also in Congress-
The President urges that the Commits
sioners be intrusted with this supervisory
authority. now in part vested in the inter
state commerce commission, which body
urges that it be relieved from duty it has
no time properly to discharge and which
does not belong to ii. Whether the Com
missioners are named for this responsible
ity or some supplementary utilities COM
mission be formed. there is urgent need
here now Of immediate and effective
control over the privately managed serv-
ices which directly affect the welfare OF
the people.
The Presidents recommendations with
reference TO the school system are based
upon statistics which indicate that public
instruction is especially expensive here
lie urges that complete control over the
schools of the capital be restored to the
District Commissioners. The Star has re-
peatedly protested against the separation
Of this authority from the central mu-
nicipal government and heartily COM
mends the Presidents recommendation to
ever, whether good would follow from
the designation of a board of visitors.
without any real authority, to be named
oy the District Supreme Court or by the
PRESIDENT, to make recommendations to
the Commissioners and to the supeIin-
1endent OF education, the latter being
appointed by and responsible to the Com
missioners. Such a body, lacking author
lty. and owing no responsibility to the
officials of ultimate power, would prob
ably only cause confusion and friction.
II is gratifying to note the Presidents
warm Endorsement of the project for the
transformation OF certain interior courts
and congested alley-streets into recreation
grounds, with Willow Tree alley as the
initial item in this program. Nothing now
contemplated in the way of local public
improvement is more distinctly calculated
10 conserve the health and moral welfare
OF the community, and il Is TO be hoped
that Congress will respond promptly to
the recommendation.
The President gives his indor sement 10
the plan for a readjustment of the Dis
trict's finances, embodied in the so-called
Judson bill. now pending before Congress
plish many good results and enable the
District to go forward systematically
In its development and expansion without
causing undue stringency in the current
maintenance of the municipal depart-
msnts.
Ii As to be hoped that the PRESIDENTS
close study of District affairs, evidenced
by his painstaking references and recon-
mendations. will result in a determined
effort on the part OF those in Congress
who are specifically charged with local
legislation to obtain results even at this
short session now opening. Park con-
centration, school reform. financial ad-
justment, territorial extension, public
utilities control and alley reclamation
constitute a program which need not in
volve long delays II Congress is sincere in
its wish to make the District of Column
bia the truly model municipality which
American pride desires 1t to be.
number of New Year resolutions ma y