The Washington times., 1913-09-25
THE STARS SAD SITUATION.

Inc pialntVe protests of the Evening Star, feeby
twinkng through its tears, in the matter Of Assist
ant Assessor Oyster, have become pathetic. The
Star wants to save the District government from
going plumb to smash; it is willing, nay, even
anxious, despite painful rebuffs to show the new
and inexperienced Commissioners all about running
this town. -.
- Assuredly they ought to be glad to accept its
counsel. Has not the Star been running this town
in its mind-for some generations past? Has it
not been claiming credit for everything from the
Capitol dome to the fact that the Potomac passes
this way, for so long time that it really believes
itself? How, o, how, can an upstart Board of Com
missioners now be so unfeelng as to plunge ahead
running the town to suit itself instead of the Star?
And doing it right out in broad daylight, too, in
the view of the whole community, which cannot but
note the confusion and humiliation of our local
journalistic regent Of Providence! 1t is too bad
would be If it we're not so funny.
But the Star sticks manfully to its job of giving
advice and sounding warnings. If anything goes
wrong it's going to be right there with the gadsome
observation that it told us so.
Have the Commissioners asked their Corporation
Counsel if they might remove Kalbfus? If they
might appoint Oyster? If Oyster could legally
qualify? Do they fear to ask him these questions
lest he might forbid them to do the things which
they have fatuousy fixed their purpose?
These are the horrendous questions our con-
temporary is hurting at the District Building; very
bombardment of posers. How deep must oe its grief,
wien, reiteratng for the 'steent time its inquiries
and getting answer, the Star paintively observes:
These questions require answers Yet there is
assurance that they will ever be answered. New
ertheless the Star puts them in the possibly vain
hope that they gain the official attention that
their vital importance deserves.
Can our Commissioners be so flinty of face, so
rocky of heart as not fall for that moving appeal
Just little recognition good gentlemen pray you;
just word of admission that you know are here,
like Horatius, guarding the bridge!
The Star seems to imagine that the Corporation
Counsel runs the town, and that the Commissioners
are required to get his consent to do things. Once
the law The Commissioners are the Commissioners.
The Corporation Counsel holds no veto on their acts
In due time he will appear in court assure the court
and the Star that he thinks Oyster is eligible and per-
form his full part in the premises But the Corpora
ton Counsel isn't the veto power.
Does the esteemed Star send for its lwayer and
ask his consent before it makes move in the man.
agement of ordinary details of its business? Does it'll
think its lawyer stands for omniscience and that
what he says must necessarily be binding?
The Corporation Counsel is just the Districts
lawyer He isn't the Supreme Court, or the Court OF
Appeals. He has dvining rod by which to deter
mine what they will think when case gets before
them His business is to try the case forecast
decisions as man with set of barometrc readings
forecasts the weather.