The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-08-27
Consult the People, Mr.. President
By DAVID LAWRENCE.
Why Not . Man Of Large Caliber For Commissions
Of ColumbiaI

There than $4,000 people In the District II
Columbia today Many employed by the United States
Government and, therefore, Mr. President, it may have
seemed to you that the Federal authorities should have the
sole right to govern them without reference to their own
wishes But not all the people who live in Washington ars
employees of the Government great proportion not
For the sake of that proportion for the others wha
though they employees Of the Government must
thees pay exorbant rates electric light company
fares to go sometimes single mile the roeys telephone
rates that higher comparatively than cities of similar
sze and must submit to wretched service and
multitude of niustces which the present District Commits
sion unable to remedfor the sake of those American
citizens who making sacrifices today and who want some
voice In their government let the choice of District Com
missioner be above criticism.
National problems absorb your attention tits naturally
difficult for you to know that in this city growing sen
ment for home rule But in the immediate foreground is
something that this week to decdehe selection Of
Commissioner Reports have it that you have long ago
made mind The people of the District hope this
not true for whoever the man. however capable he may be
the eyes of those who have recommended him YOU he
will not have hearty support he might have had could
the selection have way been indicated by the people
It is said that You do not favor suffrage in the District
because the Government is the largest of property
To be sure argument for absolute control of District
affairs that would ignore the Federal Government
enabe to give the Federal Government absolute power
The equities of the Government and the people be deter
mined and harmonized This is the National Capital and
the Federal Government has right to say how its Cap
al shall look But for physical appearance and all those
things which it enormously believed would be lost should
the people of the District elect their officers those
the very things that the people would most want the National
Government to keep its fingers sanitation parks school
construction ETC. Congress- will always make the
laws for the District of Columbia and there need be fear
that the Federal Government will find its interest
eopardized by home rule What the people really want D
control of that part of the city government which directly
affects them such public utilities Congress doesn much
whether the street safe dangerous Prob
ably will do something after it is too late after the already
large number OF accidents reaches climax In an awful
tragedy.
There is Mr.. President, decided feeling of anxiety
about the moot
ton with you but there be any doubt about the principle
that would permit the people in way indicate their
choice voice their approval dsapprova of the Commits
oners to be selected True the nominations must be
frmed by the Senate, but does this afford opportunity
for anything else but cursory inquiry into
and characerf And such controversy inevitably per-
sona and which is obnoxious to the people whole
The Times is not advancing the candidacy of anyone
IT is opposing endeavorng merely to SPEAK for
large number of residents Of the District of Columbia
who would like to have you give much time and attention
the choice of Commissioner for them You would the
selection of food administrator coal administrator For
the two civilian Commissioners combine all the functions Of
state and municipal officers here. They vested with
great powers. They should be big men-not little men
They should be capable citizens preferably of long
residence here but versed In the problems OF government
not secondrate individuals to- whom their small cotere Of
sponsors may be politically obligated and who feel
Of nshp with responsibility to the people OF Washing
ton
Mr. President, why not big for Commissioner
The problems of government here multiplying. People
the District of Columbia get hungry they do In New
York or Chicago They are tired the end of the day. just
they elsewhere They taxes just they do IN
other cities They give their and relatives to the
and navy They subscribe to the Liberty loan they give gem
erousy to the Red Cross Why shouldn't they somehow Be
con suited when matter Of vital Importance to the such
as the District Commissonership comes before youi
1t not late to ask the representative bodies to pre-
sent to you the Of persons who they think qualified
serve them They have hestated because it said You
already had decided the question Perhaps you chosen
oj man But do Won honestly feel that there ia mona
better in the District of Coumba For the best ought be
none good for the people in these days of toll and