The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1920-09-24

ment. Miss Boardman was at the
head Of the American Red Cross So
ciety for many years. and her fame
has not been increased by the fact
that she has been designated as a
Commissioner of the District. The
appointment is, however, a fine rec
ognition of Miss Boardman's sex. ali
OF whom outside the District of Col
umbia will be entitled to vote. But
Miss Boardman is the same kind of
political exile as are all the other
residents of the District of Columbia.
There are . little less than half a
million inhabitants Of the small area,
which has been set down along the
shores of the Potomac to be used as
a Capitol for more than a hundred
million people. By some extraordin-
ary method of reasoning all residents
of the District are disbarred from
voting. and although they may see
their president riding about mostly
any day, still the price of living in
this little spot known as the District
of Columbia means that one must
forego all political rights.
The three Commissioners take the
place of mayor and common council
such as are provided in ordinary
cities, and they have broad powers
with reference to the local govern
ment. They appoint most of the sub
ordinate officers. including police
heads. assessors. and the dog-catcher.
They are, however, separate from the
school board which has special powers,
and their members are appointed by
the president. Taxpayers, public
utilities and others who have griev-
Iances take them to the Districs CONF
'nissioners. and if the Commissioners
do not give them fair deal they have
no redress. as there are no electors or
public tribunals to appeal to. The
Commissioners are most always
friends Of the president. or some mem
Der Of his family, and while they are
usually high types of citizens. yet
they are not responsible to the public
which they are supposed to represent.
civic matters that falls to the lot and
duties of a mayor.
Notwithstanding the Tennessee leg
i:lature and the appointing powers Of
the president of the United States.
Miss Mabel Boardman hasn't any
more vote than a man in her old
home town, even though she is one
OF the Commissioner Of the District
of Columbia. However, she has dis
tinction and renown. which is in strik-
ing contrast TO another appointment
to Commissionership of a man al
most unknown to the residents of the
Capital. How this latter appointee
secured his JOB has not been explained.
The Washington newspapers coull
find nothing to print about him ex-
cept that he was an enthusiastic clab.
member and an ardsgt devotee of
This living in Washington, pfhc
parlor Of the nation" is y very poeti-
cal existence--but the meter is dis
jointed in good many ways.
Railroads Meeting the Situation
The Car Service division of the
American Railroad association has
published figures showing that the
railroads of the United States during
August handled greater volume Of
freight traffic than ever before in
that month. even in the war years of
1917 and 1918. AS the grain moving
season progresses, the demand for
cars Is increasing. and the pinch of a
car shortage cannot help but manifest
itself through the coming months.
: The extent TO which the railroads
are reGainina their efficiency as the
congestion and Other effects Of the
labor troubles which were acute i'll
April are being overcome. is indicated
in the large increases being shown in
the statistics of revenue freight car
loading. compiled by the Commission
on Car Service. There is, throughout
the entire railroad industry, a greatly
improved situation. This is not only
important to the railroads. but it is
even more important as it reflects the
welfare of the country.
The railroads are the most highly
organized. or unionized. Of any Of the
Icou1try's industries The railroad
brotherhoods have demonstrated time
and again that they. are able to pro-
.tect the interests Of railroad wage