Evening star., 1911-06-06
Commissioners Take No Stand
on District Election Bill.
MEASURE RETURNED TODAY
Subject for the Better Judgment of
Congress-. Is Answer.
PROTEST IN ONE INSTANCE
Heads of Local Government Object
to Residents Bearing Expense Of
Holding Primaries.

The District Commissioners returned to
the Senate today the bill providing for
the holding of primary nominating cleo
tions in the District Of Columbia without
recording themselves as being either for
or against the measure.
Except to protest against the provision
in the bill that the expense of holding
the elections be charged to the District
government. the Commissioners state
that in their opinion advisibility as to
the enactment of the measure is sub
ject for the better judgment of Con-
gress.'
The bill was introduced in the Senate
May II by Senator Bristow. and provides
for primary nominating election in the
District of Columbia. at which the quail
fed electors of the said District shall
have the opportunity to vote for their
first and second choice among those
aspiring to be candidates OF their respec-
tive political parties for President and
Vice President of the United States, TO
elect their party delegates to their ma
tional conventions and to elect their ma
| tional committeeman
Attitude Of Commissioners.
The attitude Of the Commissioners. as
explained in a letter forwarded to Sem
ator Gallinger, chairman of the Senate
committee on the District OF Columbia, is
as follows:
''The Commissioners are not prepared
to make suggestions with respect to the
general policy of the proposed legisla-
| ton. as Congress by its act of June 30.
of Columbia Of the privilege of voting
| on public questions for reasons of which
the Commissioners are not advised and
of whose present force they are unaware.
THE specific object Of the bill seems TO
be one Of national rather than local
concern. and the advisability of its en-
actment subject for the better judgment
| of Congress. The Commissioners are
| lacking In the necessary data and ex-
perience upon which to base q recon-
mendation as to the policy Of the bill,
with confidence that it would be a re-
| liable guide to your committee: but the
provision in the bill which proposes TO
lcharge the revenues of the District with
the expense of it's operation IL 1t should
| become law appears to them to contem-
plate the imposition OF a burden upon
| the District taxpayers which they should
not be called upon to bear.
District to Bear Expense.
Senator Bristow's bill contains eighty
two sections, providing for all details
| connected with the nOlOlnG OF q pfIHihIy y
election. The sections objected to by the
Commissioners are 81 and So. which direct
the Commissioners to allow So q day as
compensation to the several Judges and
clerks Of elections. and also to provide
for all the actual necessary expenses
incurred under the act.
| The bill provides that ninety days pre-
ceding q primary election the Commits
sioners shall set off and establish election
precincts in the District. 1t makes un-
lawful the selling Of intoxicating liquors
on the days elections are held and pro-
vides penalties for misconduct at the
polls.
| The section governing qualification OF
voters provides that all male citizens OF
| the United States of the age OF twenty
one years or over and those who shall
have declared their intentions to become
| citizens one year next preceding any
primary election. and who shall have
been actual bona fide residents of the
District for at least one year preceding
the day on which an election Is held
shall be held legally qualified electors.
Regulations governing election notices
CHALLENGES Of voters, administering of the
| oath of judges and clerks. spelling and
reissuing Of blanks and other features
connected with conduct at and manage
ment of the polls are provided for in the
| bill.