Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-02-18

wv ASHlNGION, u. u, rep. Io.-Ine
wv opinion is being widely expressed
W here that Washington's Knickerbocker
theater disaster may be indirectly connected
with the capitals form of government. The
claim has been put forth that such a dis
aster would have been far less likely to oc-
cur in city governed by responsible off,
Gals
In other cities government officials are
elected to office by the people, and if they
prove to be inefficient the people have it in
their power to elect new ones. In Washing
ton, the entire municipal government is in
the hands Of federal officials who are occu-
pied with affairs of nationwide interest. The
selection of the commissioners of the district
is one small detail in the work of the presi-
dent, who MAJ or may not thoroughly under
stand the needs of the capital city. Whoever
is appointed to office in the district must be
accepted by the people.
So, in the talk O., more rigid building in
spection, renovation of old buildings, COM
pulsory removal of snow from the sidewalks
and roofs, and other safeguards against an
other disaster, there are also voices raised
to urge more fundamental reform-a re-
sponsible government for the district.
Two bills and resolution for constitu-
tional amendment, all designed to improve
the lot of the capital city, have for some
time been before congress. Several senators
and many Westinghouse are urging that
one of these measures be passed as memo
rial to the former congressman and other
residents of Washington who lost their lives
in the Knickerbocker disaster.
The senate committee on the District of
Columbia recently held hearing on the three
measures for enfranchising the district, and
it is believed that one of the bills will be
reported on favorably
Constitutional Amendment Proposed
OF the proposed measures, the constitu-
tional amendment, is the least likely to win
approval of congress. 1t would give the dis
trlct two senator's representatives
congress, based on population, and votes in
the electoral college. Control of the city's
affairs by congress would be continued as
before but the people would have repre-
Sentatives with voting powers to back their
interests in the capitol.
Remembering the long and stormy battles
which put through the woman suffrage and
prohibition amendments, the adherents of
district suffrage see little hope for any
| amendments to the constitution in the near
future. 1t has never been easy to amend that
document, and the controversies over pro-
hibition will lead congress to scrutinize sug-
gestions for changes more cautiously than
ever before.
Getting two-thirds of the members of both
branches of congress to approve an amend
ment concerning city which few of them
regard as home would, it is realized prove
a difficult undertaking. And getting three
fourths Of the states interested in ratifying
such an amendment which seems to concern
them only indirectly would be equally diff
cult 1t is said that the majority of senators
and representatives firmly oppose the idea
| of giving the capital suffrage in this way.
The advocates of freedom for the district,
| therefore, are pinning their hopes on the 9TH
| er measures. One of these would give the
| district two delegates in congress and al
| most complete self-government. The people
| would be allowed to elect the commissioners
| to direct the city's affairs, the board of ed
ucation and the public utilities commission
ers. There is some sentiment in congress in