The Washington herald., 1911-05-14

The Federation of Citizens AS
sociations has requested the District
Commissioners to establish a new
system in matters relating to pro-
posed legislation. The publication
of all bills introduced in Congress
and a public hearing upon each
measure is asked.
PUBLIC IS NOT HEARD.
| 1t is pointed out that recently no less
| than forty-two bills were introduced in
the House of Representatives in one
day upon the request of the District
Commissioners. and yet. according to
the statement made. no opportunity was
given to the citizens to express approval
or disapproval Of the proposed laws. As
is generally known. the present Board
of Commissioners has abandoned almost
| entirely the practice of public hearings,
so that the citizens are not afforded op-
portunity to present their views The
position of the Commissioners is that
they have not the time to devote to these
public hearings. but there is unquestion-
ably sentiment in favor Of their re-
sumption.
The letter from the federation Is sign
ed by w Nick. Clayton. the president,
and is of enough general interest to
warrant its publication in full, as fol-
lows:
Details of Legislntion Concealed.
At a recent meeting of the Federation
of Citizens Associations. a matter was
brought up and discussed Of present and
continuing interest to every taxpayer
and resident of the District.
All legislation affecting the District
has its inception in Congress. and bills
are introduced
First. Upon the initiative OF men,
ber of Congress.
Second. Upon the request OF the Com
missioners OF the District.
Third. Upon the request of some citf-
zen or association of citizens
The only notice now given to the gen.
eral public of the subject-matter Of the
proposed legislation is the simple noting
of the number and title of the bill in the
Congressional Record, and sometimes
very casual notice in the public press
when the subject appears to the editor
to be of sufficient Importance.
Almost always the tenor and purport
Of the bill remains a closed book to the
great mass of taxpayers and residents
until II becomes a law, and II Is sought
to enforce the provisions OF the same,
often to the great surprise and conster-
nation of those whose personal and
property rights have been seriously af-
fected.
The taxpayer has lost his day in court
through no fault of his own.
Some Specimen Bills.
A few days ago Representative John
son. chairman of thhe House District
Committee, introduced in the House. at
the request of the Commissioners, some
forty-two bills. How much Information
is conveyed by the following notice:
by Mr.. Johnson. of Kentucky Cby re-
quest of the Commissioners of the Dis
trict of Columbia): A bill Oh. r. s612) to
amend an act to regulate plumbing and
gas fitting in the District of Columbia,
approved June IS, 1895; to the Commit.
tee on the District of Columbia
"A bill Oh. r. SSlD to authorize the
bia to suspend and revoke certain
licenses and permits.
"A bill GH: R. ss2D to amend an act
amend an act entitled IAN act in rela-
ton to taxes and tax sales in the Dis
2s lS9SI S;,, y, se,m >, ,n, o.. 49,.
Of Congress. approved April %. 1904. au-
thorizing the laying of water mains and
service sewers in the District of Column
.
and for other purposes.
"A bill Oh. r. Ss30 to amend sections
$50 and 6s6 of the Code of Law for the
District of Columbia.
struction of buildings along alleyways
In the District of Columbia and for
other purposes.
The foregoing are selected at random
from the bills introduced. No addition
al information is afforded by the city
papers, other than that quoted from the
Congressional Record. yet some OF these
forty-two bills proposed to radically
affect millions of dollars worth of prop. |
erty.
Public Hearings Suggested.
Publicity is the watchword Of the |
hour. and the Commissioners are Nanx-
ious to afford. at all times, the widest |
information upon all matters affecting |
the district. and most desirous Of en-
all taxpayers and residents of the city |
upon legislation necessary to the up
building of the Nations Capital. I take |
it that they are equally anxious to ap- |
upon every matter OF District legisla-
tion pending before Congress, and that /
having ascertained as near as may be |
that majority of the citizens are op-
posed to any measure, that they will |
then oppose that measure as strongly |
as they approve a bill indorsed by the 4
nearly unanimous voice of the taxpayers
of the District.
To the end that the fullest informa-
ton may be brought home to every tax
payer of proposed legislation and that
ample opportunity be afforded to ap-
prove or oppose any and every bill Of
fered in Congress before the same is
reported by either committee to their re-
spective Houses, we offer the following
to your honorable body as
the sense of the federation:
4
That Congress be asked to authorize
the Commissioners to publish in the
press of the city from time to time the
full text of every bill introduced in Con-
gress affecting the District of Column
bia.
That each advertisement of the bill
contain a notice fixing a certain time forl
a hearing on the same by the Commis-
sioners.
That no measure be acted upon by
either Committee of Congress until the
Commissioners first report whether. In
their opinion. the majority OF the tax
payers and residents of the District ap-l
prove or disapprove the same
Permit me to suggest that the COM
mission form Of government In the Dis.
trict OF Columbia will be on trial for