The Washington times., 1917-08-24
The Kind of Commissioner
Washington Wants
Extraordinary Times Call For An Extraordinary Man
District Have Multiplied.
By DAVID LAWRENCE.

Washington isn't permitted to vote for its rulers but Il
least express itself the kind Of Commissioner would
to have Major Newman And every institution in
city, citizen association commercial body ought to make
itself articulate just now.
the District Of Columbia? Plainly extraordinary times should
the selection Of extraordinary For the problems
either amenng its choice of congratulang itself
these turbulent days because the city executives have
has depended upon Decentralization to effective warfare
the communities have had to operate the seve draft law
tration As the war goes on each city viii find that the
municipal government more vital factor in the national
interest than it ever has been in American history
But Washington in the peculiar position of depending
Congress and commission appointed by the President to
claims to be much too busy to cure the ills Of the District
by legislation though the House seems to be able to adjourn
for three days time and the Senate has wasted enough
time that might otherwise have been devoted to social welfare
Legislation in the District twoplaoon system for the fire
universal transfer system government ownership Of pub
lie fact anything that would give the people re-
ington Railway and Electric Company
So the only resort Of the people is after all to their Com
public utilities he should have lived in washington long
enough to understand for example, why street
people sufficiently to put end to such outrageous con
Whoever is chosen to succeed Commissioner Newman
must bring the Board Of Commissioners talent capacity
that will strengthen the city government materially Commits
sioner Brownow has stood the strain well He has been
virtually mayor Of this city while Mr. Newman tried out for
three months at the Officers Training Camp at Fort Myer
But Of Mr. Brownlows energy and Of justice
cannot rule the city alone because the burden too great
Something must give And 1t would be unfortunate
the selection finally made simply meant sort Of assistant to
Commissioner Brownow The latter would be the last man
lin Washington to wish such thing He has the interest Of
the city sufficiently at heart to desire most capable kind Of
coleague-one who will counsel with him. investigate with
him, and even conscentiousy differ with him. There should
effort simply to get of the blend The prob
lens of the District much too big to be entrusted
single individual who will dominate the decisions Of the Dis
trict Commission constantly What needed Independence
and courage.
The future Commissioner should above all feel very in
ense the plight Of the city of Washington in these unusual
times and help not merely to give equitable admnstra-
ion but to stimulate the growth and prosperity the city
itself by encouraging the desire for equal suffrage and de-
voting himself to the upbuding of true civic spirit and
sense Of community life.
The candidates who proclaim themselves on such plat
form will have the hearty support Of the people of Washington
Representative business bodies should appeal to President VIII
not to close his mind the Commissionershp until su
fent opportunity has been given only place before him
the of especially well equipped to fill the vacancy
but for the people of the city of Washington through
the newspapers public addresses what conception
ddate has Of the and duties Of the office There
improperly in announcing what would endeavor to do if
chosen Commissioner and the attention Of the President ought
be directed to these pledges only impress upon his mind
the things that spokemen of the people Of Washington
slider fundamental to their lives in these critical days of trial
and sacrifice.