Evening star., 1911-06-04
Answer Was a Surprise.

The answer OF the Commissioners
was a surprise to the federation heads.
according to views expressed by them
yesterday. The reasons advanced by
the District officials for not adopting
the federation's suggestions were char
acterized by several members Of that
body as not constituting in their en-
tirety a serious objection to the pro-
posal.
The declaration of the Commissioners
that while they seek to arrive at con-
clusions In reasonable accord with pub
lie opinion, they are not prepared to ad-
init that 1t Is a part of their duty to
base their reports to Congress. respecting
either measures which they suggest or
measures which are referred to them FOL
report, upon the approval or disapproval
OF majority of the taxpayers or resi-
dents OF the District" is pointed TO by of
ficers of the federation as proof that the
Commissioners may not be strictly re-
garded as the mouthpiece OF the disfran-
chised citizens Of the District and, that
they should not be so considered by men,
bers of Congress.
The cost of publishing the text of all
bills introduced in relation to the DIS
trict and the time that would be con-
sumed in conducting hearing on eacii,
together with the difficulty OF ascertain
ing what would be the opinion OF the ma
jority Of residents In regard to any par
ticular measure, were the principal rea-
sons advanced by the Commissioners In
turning down the application of the fed
Grafton.
Meeting these objections. President
William Mex. Clayton of the federation
last night declared that. in his opinion,
conduct hearings, inasmuch as 1t was
reasonable to suppose residents would
not ask to be heard on all bills. He
said that the cost of publishing the bills
should not stand in the way since the
taxpayers are desirous that they should
be published and are putting up the
money for it, and, finally. that II no
other method could be employed Tor as
certaining public opinion the Commits
sioners, at least. could report to Con-
gress any material opposition developed
with respect to any measure.
Opinion of Mr.. McGrath.
j. G. McGrath, president Of the Park
View Citizens Association and a mem
Der Of the federation, together with other
members. took practically the same stand
as President Clayton.
I'VE should know something about the
| legislation that we may be called upon tt
maintain through the payment of taxes,
said Mr. McGrath. THE Commissioners
| should not stand in the way of the pub
lication of bills relating to the District
| since the taxpayers want them published
/ and certainly should be entitled to tina
| much
| President Clayton declared that HI
hoped it would yet be possible for th'
| federation and the Commissioners 10 co
| operate in the matter The federation
| however, he stated, will make every ell
| fort to have it's suggestions carried out
as the various associations affiliated Will
| the central body are strongly In favor o
| the undertaking and doubtless VIII be II
favor of petitioning Congress as fina
| resort A..
| Just when the special meeting of TIT
| federation will be held has not been DE
| cided, but there will be a conference
,,s ofiiciaIs probably this week. when ar
| raneements for the meeting Will be made