The Washington times., 1916-02-01
CHANCE NOMINATION
GETS COMMITTEEO.K.
Commissioner Newman and
Others Before District Com
mittee on Library Bill.
CONTINUED from First Page.)

NSOhNAANNN AANAA AAeN abNsy
the johnson bill to broaden the powers
of the Juvenile Court.
Chief attention was given to the Com
missioners proposal to assume full
jurisdiction of the Public Library. Com
missioner Newman, appearing for the
board, argued that inasmuch as the
Commissioners are responsible for the
appropriations for the Library, and they
Ia. - name the board of trustees, the
powers of the Commissioners over the
10 brary board should be complete.
Opposing this view was Theodore W..
tees, who argued that the present sys-
tenn is working admirably. and should
not be changed, Under this system,
Mr.. Noyes said, the Commissioners
name the trustees and the trustees
name teh librarian, who has executive
control over the library and Is respon-
sible to the trustees.
Congressman Wheeler asked Commits
sioner Newman why theer should be
a change in regard to the library.
Since the Commissioners have the
responsibility, they should also be giben
accompanying authority" said Mr.
Newman.
Commissioner Newman went over
many of the arguments advanced two
weeks ago when the Commissioners
appeared before the Lloyd subcommit-
tee in favor OF their bill to take over
complete control OF the public school
system. The same arguments he said
applied to the library as to the school
system.
in attendance a. the hearing to answer
any questions relating to the practical
MANAGEMENT of the library.
Congressman Lloyd asked Commis-
sioner Newman If 1t would not be well
to authorize the president to name the
officials and employees of the library
II would doubt the ACCESSIBILITY OF
such a change." said Mr.. Newman.
Mr.. Lloyd said he had made the sug-
gestlon, merely to emphasize the fact
that nobody knows the library needs
better thon those actively concerned in
its management.
Congressman Wheeler suggested that
the board of trustees would be Use
less body under the proposed change.
Congressman Pinkham asked II munich
pal activities ought not to be encourage
because of the fact that residents or
Washington have little participation in
their government, and such boards are
advisable.
Commissioner Newman argued that
members on a board of this kind 10 a
poor substitute for real participation
in government. The present board of
trustees lis less effective that II 1t had
less detail of administration to attend
to and more time to formulate poll
cies."
Congressman Lloyd observed that
members Of the board of trustees are
working in the public interest absolute
ly and deserve great credit, even more
credit than paid commissioners deserve.
Trade Board Opposed.
In addition to appearing as president
OF the board of trustees Mr.. Noyes also
voiced the sentiment of the Board OF
Trade in opposition to the change in the
present library system. The board re-
Gently went on record as opposed to the
4 .A.,.G -. l.. ~
the Reenral scheme for centralized
authority in the Commissioners over all
municipal administrative affairs.
Congressman Page was heard in ad-
VocaGy of his bill that would allow
pawn brokers and note brokers to
charge 2 per cent per month on loans
instead of l per cent. The Page bill
however, has a provision that would
break up the practice of negotiating for
loans in the District of Columbia, and
then obtaining such loans at the Vir-
ginia Offices of pawnbrokers who were
driven from Washington by the pei
cent law.
Mr.. Page told the District Commit.
tee he believed per cent rate was
fair to the lenders and the borrowers
| While before the committee Mr.. Page
incidentally urged the report of his bill
to have an annual license charged
against automobiles and an abolish the
present personal tax on machines.
The District Committee heard brief
| arguments by Judge j. w. Latimer of
the Juvenile Court in support of the
| Johnson bill broadening the powers
of the court and making 1t more rep
| resentative as a children's court for
the adjudication of all matters con-
cerniRg children. Judge Latimer was
| accompanied by Miss Julia Lathrop,
chief OF the Federal Children's Bu-
| Teau.
Under the Juvenile Court bill the
! House of Detention would be placed
under Jurisdiction of the court in
stead of the Police Department and
! the court would become also an
equity court not devoting itself espe-
cially to criminal charges filed
| against children.