The Washington times., 1917-09-11
Is Washington Really a
Model City?
Representative Of Virginia Has Some Interesting Things
Say About Home Rule In the Distriet-Ihe Next
Commissioner and His Qualifications
By AVIp.LAwRENCE.


ngtOn What he says therefore, about the District Of Co
lumbia may well be taken to represent the view Of all new
comershe outside world But Mr. Reed is not unfamiliar
with legislation He is yro in government He is new
Representative from West Virginia, but ne has had long
experience in public affairs BE president of the West
Virginia Editorial Association, State SENATOR secretary
of state Of West Virginia and at time regent OF West
Virginia University When man OF such training expresses
his views ON the question Of municipal government,
pecaly when he has been given place on the House Dis
rict Affairs Committee, it is well worth while to study his
utterances and call attention to them.
'I want to hear from the who live in Washington
and know conditions" says Mr.. Reed in spirit of fair
ness recognizing his unfamiarty with local stua
tons but at the time he enunciates principle that
every American citizen outside of Washington would heart
lily indorse if the matter were presented to him. The
principle contained in this observation by Mr. Reed:
"It seems to me that Washington ought to be per-
mtted to have voice in its own government I be-
eve that at least the people should be allowed to elect
Representayes in Congress IN proportion to the pOPa
ought to be entitled to much consideration as one Of
the Territories"
Mr. Reed has put into a single paragraph in the in
ervew which he gave to The Times the essence OF the
fight that is being made for home rule in the District of Co
luba Everybody agreed indeed, that the people
should have some voice in their own goyernmnt It Is
firmly imbedded in thinking that when an outsider
Washington the very first thing he says with
spect conditions here is that the people ought to have
some voice in their government ANY other system in
accord with the spirit Of American democracy.
And when Congressman Reed says that 'at least the
District Of Columbia ought to be entitled to much
sderaon the Territories he expresses the minimum that
the people of Washington demand The difficulty thus far
pushing the fight for universal suffrage In the District
has that the maximum and minimum wishes of various
units Of the population too often confused When the
citizens associations and other representative bodies take
the question Of municipal government representation IN
Congress- and kindred matters at their meetings during the
winter months effort should be made to agree upon
general program representing the average will Of the peo
nla No tn q
once though it would be equally unwse to relax efforts to
accomplish ultimately the reform that will make people who
live here and pay taxes the real masters of themselves
In the meantime, the words of Congressman Reed on
another phase of the question apt that they should be
impressed upon the authorities who do govern Says Mr.
Reed:
"The city of Washington, instead of being place
to try out experiments that different States afraid
to try out the best ideas in legislation regard
ing the franchises privileges education etc., ought to
be model for the entire country Washington ought to
set pace for the nation"
This means that the city of Washington ought to have
the best telephone service the best street service and
lowest fares the cheapest electric light and gas rates.
the cheapest taxcab rates. the best school buildings the
most efficient police and fire protection, playground and
bathing facilities unexceed technical and industrial high
schools and other improvements Of progressive character
that American cities have developed.
Can it really be said that Washington is model city
simply because is beautiful city Of clean streesi A
pearances often deceivng A good-lookng we'll
dressed man is not always successful To determine
whether city is model whether it is superior to others
Of equal population, inquiry must be made into all the
dtons under which the peope-men women and children
live Can it be said in truth that Washington is the best
governed city in the country when thinks of only few
Of the things mentioned abovestreet and other pub
lie utitiesf !
The District Commissioners must make up budget
and their recommendations to Congress for legislation
The Commissioner should be who has been study
ing municipal problems that he may aid Commissioner
Louis Brownow in his animporant tasks The District is
fortunate In having of Mr.. Brownlow's ability in
charge of the government just He fully deserves the
many compliments that have been directed to him recently
for his management of the ctys business affairs practically
What the President should do is to give Mr.
Brownlow early possible colleague who will work
with him constructive program for the
District
Many names have been mentioned for the Commissioner
ship. The Administration is said to be anxious to appoint
Democrat Other Administrations have appointed Repub-
cans, to be But in seeking Democrat who has been
q of fba