Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-02-16

Warrington. Feb. 16s--The opinion
In being widely expressed here that
Washington's Knickerbocker Theatr
disaster may be indirectly connected
with the Capitals form OF government.
The claim has been put forth that
such q disaster would have been far
less Hkoly TO occur In a city govern
ed by responsible officials.
In other cities government officials
are elected TO Office by the people. and
II they prove 10 be inefficient the
people have II In their power to elect
new ones. In Washington. the entire
municipal government is In the hands
cf Federal officials who are occupied
with affairs Of nationwide interest.
The selection OF the Commissioners
OF the District is one smnll detail in
the work OF the President, who may
or may not thoroughly understand the
needs cf the capital city. Whoever
| is appointed to Office in the District
must be accepted by the people.
! SO, I'm the talk OF more rigid build
ing inspection. renovation OF old
buildings. compulsory removal of snow
from the sidewalks and roofs. and
other safeguards against another dis
aster. there are also voices raised 10
urge "A more fundamental reform---a
responsible government fer the Dis
trict.
Two bills and resolution for q
constitutional amendment, all design
ed 10 improve the lot OF the capital
city. have for some time been before
Congress. Several Senators and many
lWashingtonians are urging that one
Eof these measures be passed as a
memorial to the former Congressman
and other residents OF Washington
who lost their lives in the Knicker.
booker disaster.
Tho Senate Committee on the Dis.
trict~rT Columbia recently held hear
Ing on the three measures for en-
franchising the District, and 81 r. be
heved that one OF the bills will b.
reported out favorably.
} Constitutional Amendment Proposed
OF the proposed measures, IN,
constitutional anendment is tho leas
likely TO win approval of Congress
II would give the District two Sena
tors. two Representatives in Congress
based on population, aid votes Ia tn
: electoral college. Control Of the city
= affairs by Congress would be eontinu
ed as before. but-rhe people woul
nave representatives with votln
/ powers 70 back their interests in tn
: capitol
I Remembering the long and storm!
battles which pat through the VIC
man suffrage and prohibition amend
ments, the adherents OF District SUI
{ fTage see little hope for any amend
: ments 10 the constitution in the nea
future. II has never been easy {
; amend that document. and the contrt
= yersles over prohibition will lead Cor
T gress 10 scrutinize suggestions fc
D changes more cautiously than ever b,
o fore.
s Getting tws-thirds OF the rneTnbe,
J OF both branches Of Congress 70 al
- prove m amendment concerning
g city which few OF them regard z
home would, Il is realized, prove
a difficult undertaking. And gettin
: three-fourths OF the states interests
a in ratifying such an amendment whic
q seems, to concern them only indirect
y would be equally difficult. It is sa
e that the majority Ct Senators ar
'e Representatives firmly oppose n
a idea Of giving the Capital suffrage
his way.
The advocates OF freedom for 4
District. therefore. are pinning he
hopes on the other measures. One
.hese would give the District two del
gates IL Congress and almost compile
sef-government. The people wou
be allowed to elect the COMMISSIONS
to direct the city's affairs. the Boa
OK Education and the Public U;il.ti