The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-04-06
CITY'S CONTROL
is DISCUSSED
Federation Of Citizens Asso-
Citations Divided As to Needs
of the District.
PRAISE FOR MR.. CLAYTON
All Kinds Of Remedies Suggested to
Cure the Existing Evils
Here.

That every story mas two sides was
demonstrated last night at the regular
monthly meeting of the Federation of
Citizens Associations, in the Chamber
of Commerce rooms, during the discus
sion of a change in government in the
District and the right of franchise.
Some warm arguments were made on
the question of the proposed change in
the form of the District government
Less. interest was shown in the discus
sion of the franchise question. Most of
the delegates appeared content to leave
well enough alone. and were apparently
unwilling to shoulder the entire tax as
sessment of the District for the privil-
eye of voting.
The arguments against any change in
the present form OF government were
made by c. c. Lancaster, Of the North
west Suburban Citizens Association, and
Snowden Ashford, delegate from the In
stitute of Architects. Those In favor
nicipality were led by e. w. Oyster. Of
the Petworth Citizens Association, and
]. B. Crawford, of the Connecticut Ave-
nue. Citizens Association.
The federation was divided into three
distinct classes on the question. There
were those who favored no change be-
ing made in the present form of govern
ment; those favoring the restoration OF
a municipality, and those favoring some
minor changes in the present form.
Almost every delegate present sub
mitted plans for changes in the present
form, seeking to remedy alleged exist
ing evils in the District governments
After a lengthy discussion. the fedora
ton postponed final action until the next
meeting special committee, consist
ing of Floyd E. Davis, of the Southeast
Citizens Association; G. c. Lancaster,
Northwest Surburan Citizens Associa-
ton; w. w. Cromwell. of the Petworth
Citizens Association; Snowden Ashford.
delegate from the Institute of Architects.
and j. B. Crawford, of the Connecti-
cut Avenue Citizens Association, was
appointed to make thorough investi-
cation and report at the next meeting.
Privileges For Commissioners.
FLOYD f. Davis, Of the Southeast
Citizens Association. proposed plan OF
government providing that the District
Commissioners have the right to speak on
the floor OF the House and Senate on
matters affecting the District, and to
appear before committees of either house.
The plan also provides that an amount
equal to the annual revenues OF the
District shall be appropriated annually
by Congress and turned over to the
District Commissioners for disbursement.
II is not proposed to change the number
of Commissioners, but it provides that
the Engineer Commissioner and one
civilian Commissioner who shall be the
president of the Board Of Commissioners
be elected by the people.
9. c. Lancaster and Snowden Ashford
declared the people We're not willing to
assume the entire taxation burden of
the District merely for the right to vote
and that Congress would never consent
10 giving UP jurisdiction of the District
for less price.
William NICK. Clayton. in a spirited
defense of the present form of govern
nent, declared that much of the ap-
parent dissatisfaction with the existing
government was more imaginary than
real. He declared that he believed one
reason for the present unrest was due
TO the fact that often the Engineer Com
missioner did not confine his energies
to his own department. but dominated
over the other Commissioners. Mr. Clay
ton declared himself in Savor of re-
stricting the Engineer Commissioner
authority to his own department.
resolution extending the declarations
gratitude and appreciation to Mr. Clay
ton for his untiring efforts in behalf
of the public utilities bill was unan-
imously adopted.