The Washington times., 1913-03-22
THE DISTRICT GOVERNMENT.

Senate document submitted by Senator Owen
and printed just before the close of the recent
sion of Congress, presents interesting suggestion
of the kind of attention which is being widely given
to problems of the District of Columbia government.
For two years it has been growing increasingly ap-
parent that the time was at hand when serious
thought would be devoted to the adequacy and ef-
fciency of the system under which this city is ad-
minstered 1t is we'll for Washington people to
look this situation in the face. There is going to
be very considerable reorganization of the whole
machine, in the not distant future, unless good af
Grmatve reasons can be presented in favor of con-
tinuance Of the present system.
This is simple statement of fact that is per-
fecty patent to people who have been in touch with
developments and experience both at the legislative
end of District affairs-that is in Congress-and at
the Administrative end, or ends.
1t behooves Washington people, then, to inform
themselves about the possibilities of change. In
what direction does the Administration of this Fed
eral district need improvement? How can it be ef-
fected? Do the people here want baot?-for it is
very likely that before the present national Admins
tration has its course that question will be SUBJ
mtted to the people of the District to decide for
themselves.
Some of the questions that will command atten-
ton during this consideration raised by proposals
set forth in the Senate document to which ausion
has been made. II is signed by w. o. Owen 'for
himself and Others and is resume of the now
well-established commission plan of city govern
ment, adapted to Washington. The specific series
of proposals are thus set forth:
First. There should be concentrated in commission
all of the powers of government legislative executive
and judicial the judicial should become part of the
executive
Second The commission should be elected by a ma
a non-partisan basis.
The people should have the right to demand what
law they prefer to live under and by vote Of the
jority voting a measure, enact it into law. (The
The people should be allowed to retain the right to
say that they wish live under rule regula
ton which the commission wishes to pass and If the
majority elects TO veto any proposed act OF the COM
mission. (The referendum)
The people should be allowed retain the right to
select and if the ajority wishes to elect sue
cessor any Commissioner whenever he becomes in
efficient. obnoxious. corrupt. (The recalD
Third. There should be thorough going corrupt
practices prevention act that would safeguard the cleo
tions and election machinery.
Fourth. National party) organization should be
prohibited District of Columbia elections. The lines
of separation between the national parties not those
which the local interests divide To allow national
pary questions inrude into local affairs is to create
local machine like to that Of 1S711S74 In the District
II would serve separate the intelligent into two fac
tons along the national party lines and thus leave the
balance of power in the hands OF the venal and
IGNORANT they moving first with the and then the
other.
Fifth There should be published a publicity pam
pblet containing any measure initiated rred. with
the reasons for it and the against it author
tsvey stated this publicity pamphlet to be mailed to the
address Of in the District under the frank of
hlir huSiD