The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-07-09
OUR FIRST BALLOT
By DAVID LAWRENCE.

Oliver P Newman qualities as officer in the train
ing at Fort Myerand there every to believe
he whs resignation Commissioner of the District Of
Columbia will be rendered to President Wilson To fill the
expected vacancy the Federation of Citizens Associations has
proposed that election be held in the District of Columbia
Naturally the result would not bind the President legal
authority for such election exists but the vote would be
the nature of civic recommendation which ought to have
much weight with Mr. Wilson
The citizens associations if they combine in favor Of
the pan will have opportunity not only to bring about
the selection of Commissioner who shall always have the
interests of the District at heart but impress upon Con-
gress the fitness of the people of Washington to exercise
suffrage in home rule well in the choice of representa-
tves for the national legislature
In choosing Messrs. Newman Sddons, and Brownlow,
the President showed real interest in the welfare of the
District because theirs has been progressive admnstra
ton. But while Mr.. Wilson fortunate in getting the
services of Mr. Newman for example, who had long been
resident of the District he will be confronted with very
difficult task in picking efficient in the
way The fuss that raised Mr.. Newman's resi-
dence in the District need not be rehashed Let it
suffice say that of those who fought him gave the
President at any rate the impression that they feared Mr.
Newmans intention give the District an administration
free from favoritism.
But the controversy did emphasize desire on the part
of many people to have Commissioner Of
the District who had lived in Washington for long
period of years Some of the Presidents friends have
argued that the District Commissioners after all city
managers and that efficient municipal government is being
obtained everywhere by importing blood from other cities
for the management of city governments Germany has de-
veloped this system with remarkable
Yet, there good why the people of the Dis
rt of Columbia should not be permitted to pass upon that
question they wish to employ city manager to ask
the War Department to designate officers to for
srucon and sanitation problems that is strictly speaking
the business of the people.
So the proposed choice of Commissioner informal
election would to be step forward But large
sponsiby rests upon those behind the PLAN 1t must be
election with OnlV candidates.
these of such pronounced opposition to the Administration
to make it embarrassing for the President to appoint any
of them. Every brought forward should be persona
grata to President Wilson This would not be essential
the people of the District already possessed the legal right
of suffrage but in the present circumstances than
expedent the people of the District make Of the
election real contest nominating who having spe-
cia interests to subserve will give themselves whole
hearedy to the city of Washington it will be proof that
the residents of this community know how to the ballot
integently 1t will be effective argument for suffrage
as can be made.