Evening star., 1922-05-27
URGES MOREOVER
FOR D. c. HEADS
Representative Keller Pro.
poses Grant of Authority
Over Minor Local Matters.


The granting Of wide authority to
the District Commissioned to exer-
else their best judgment on minor
matters affecting the District on
which they now have to go to Con-
gress for legislative authority is being
considered by the House District COM
mittee.
Representative Oscar Keller of
Minnesota. with the support, ap-
parently, of the majority of the men,
bership, proposes to Introduce such
legislation. He intenus to have con-
ferences with the sDistrict Commits
sfoners. and is having them now with
other members of the District COM
nittee to determine on what minor
matters the Commissioners should be
given: executive authority.
Mr.. Keller Discusses Subject.
t"I have long felt that Congress
should not be bothered with the many
matters Of minor legislation affecting
the District which come before the
District committee. believe, and
other members with whom have
consulted agree with me-" said Rep
resentative Keller. that sufficient
authorization should be given to the
District Commissioners to handle
these matters. The District Commits
sioners should be men of sufficient
ability to take care of such executive
authority, and il they are not, more
capable Commissioners should be ap-
pointed.
Such matters as the closing of
streets, the changing of names of
streets and scores of similar small
matters should be included in this
authority. OF course, great care must
be taken in preparing the bill to place
definite responsibility and sufficient
restrictions. 1t is a careful con-
cluded in the bill that is causing de-
lay in introducing the measure"
Representative Keller expects to
have conferences on the subject with
the District Commissioners next
week. Already he has received as
ten Of the more active members of
the committee. and from leaders on
both sides Of the House.
Approved by C0mmissiOners.
The District Commissioners would
welcome legislation, such as sug-
gested by Representative Keller, CIV
ing the city heads broader power in
dealing with local questions
Commissioner Rudolph stated today
that none of. the members of the
House District committee had taken
up the suggestion with him yet and
that he has no information as to
the particular function in which it
is suggested to broaden the authority
now vested in the Commissioners.
Speaking generally. he said. there
out the District government of mat
ters of comparatively little interest
to Congress. but which require con-
gressional action.
Engineer Commissioner Keller con-
Cured In the opinion of Mr.. Rudolph
tivities connected with the admin
istration of municipal affairs that
could be dealt with more expedi-
tiously by the Commissioners if the
approval of Congress was not re-
Quired.
striking Example Cited.
One striking example of some of
the upimportant questions for which the
Commissioners must go to Congress
for approval is in the naming of
streets. Under existing law the Com
missioners have authority to name
anew street originally, but they
cannot change that name later If such
sction seems desirable.
If citizens In q certain locality
want the name /of street changed
for any reason they must have
Ieeislation introduced in Congress
and 20 through the slow process of
annroyal by both Houses
The Commissioners might also be
riven authority to close old and aban-
ioned roads which are no longer of
much service, but which must be
maintained as long as they are open.
view ut Dfstrict BuilAing.
II is the consensus of opinion at the
District building that the Commission
ers have ample power to make police
and fire regulations, ~
The license laws, however, still are
matters requiring congressional ac-
tioI, and might properly be transferred
to the Jurisdiction Of the Commission
ers, oniciais believe.
Not long ago the Commissioners con-
sidered . number Of changes which
they deemed necessary In the laws
providing forfhe licensing Of business
And prof feasiens, but these amend
fnefita must be obtained by going
through thsnnfready ja1nmed legislas