Evening star., 1924-12-01
The Commissioners Report.

In their report to Congress the
Commissioners of the District of Co
lumhia recite the activities of the mu-
nicipal administration for the 12
months ending June so. 1924. This
report is n survey of the accomplish
ments and costs of municipal govern
nlent for the year. 1t does not bear
upon the finances of the year to come
or the year that is now passing. Esti.
mates for the next fiscal year will
accompany tbS budget on its presenta-
ti"n 10 Congress later. This present
document is a recital of the routine of
municipal management.
The District of Columbia, with a
population Of more than 100000 peo-
pie. presents peculiar problems of ad,
1ninistration. 1t is practically all
urban, with "a steadily diminishing
suburban portion. The presence here
Of the Federal Governments organi.
Zation creates conditions not present
in other cities. The fact that all laws
fcr the government of the District
must bc enacted by Congress imposes
Il check upon legislation. often delay
ing essential action for the correction
Of evils and the general betterment
Of the community.
In their report the Commissioners
particularly stress the need of legiS-
latiVc action to improve the traffic
situation, now one of the foremost
of the municipal problems. They urge
the establishment of a traffic court,
with provision to prevent avoidance Of
appearance in court by forfeiture
Of Cnllateral; material increase in
the number of policemen assigned to
traffic duty and a law making it
obligatory upon the court to impose
Jail sentences upon those convicted Of
driving while intoxicated.
In order to make prohibition en-.
forccmcnt more effective, the Com,
miSsioners recommend amendment of
the penalty clause to provide q Jail
sentence of at least so days for the
first offense, without fine, and pro.
portiunately heavy increases for sub
ScquCnt offenses. In view of numer
GUS instances where violators Of the
prohibition law have used smoke
screens To effect their escape. II is
urged that a law be passed declaring
the use of such smoke screens fel-
ony. punishable by two years OF i'm
prisOnment.
Change of the time for making per-
sonal property tax returns from July
To May is recommended. This is urged
hy the assessor, who. points out that
returns made in May would be more
complete and practical for the guild
anCe of the collector of taxes.
y new insurance code is recon-
ncnded by the Commissioners at the
instance of the superintendent of in
surance. Hope is expressed that Con-
Gress will provide for the opening
and maintenance Of the new Mount
Pleasant branch of the Public Library.
Purchase of sites for the erection of
three police stations is recommended.
Renewed stress is laid upon the need
of d more effective law TO prevent the
sale OF deadly weapons. More fire ap-
laratus is required. y municipal hos.
lrital for contagious diseases is essen
tal.
These are some Of the indorse.
mcnts by the Commissioners of items
of Improvement and development
which are submitted in this report.
They are In line with the growth of
the Capital municipality, enlarge.
mcnt of it's equipment and the effort
To provide here model municipal ad-
lninistration, safeguarding the public.
providing education facilities for the
children and keeping on the highest
possible plane the physical and moral
health of the community.
Sympathetic consideration of these
recommendations by Congress is but
the due of its ward placed under its
care by the Constitution Of the United
States and dependent for its welfare
upon the understanding and diligent
performance by Congress as the local
Legislature.