The Washington times., 1924-10-09
Enlarging the Powers Of the
Commissioners
BY BILL PRICE.

The Chamber Of Commerce other Washington trade
and civic organizations engaged in the useful work o
developing and cryaling public sentiment 70 the bill
pending in Congress for enlargement Of the powers Of the
District Commissioners.
Although lacking vote. the people Of the District are
still good enough Americans to make their sentiments known
all District matters Happily too the present Board Of
Commissioners good enough Washngona 10 listen to
expressions of the people Of th city and ID give due and
careful consideration to what people think and wish
II that respect Washing should be and pleased
We have had Commissioners politically appointed and rep
resentave Of the administration ii power who didn't care
much what Washington people desired thereby showing lack
Ct common and tact We fortunate Ia that the
present board Of Commissioners ii composed Of true and
tried local The Engineer Commissioner Major BELL
although army officer and detailed to his present position
and 4 one 81 tie best mixers with local peop we have eve
had in that position Some army officers not quite So
and fail to adapt themselves to local atmosphere
Ii some things the Commissioners should have greater
power Congress- the Legislative body Of the District re-
serving to itself the right to enact all legislation frequently
fails to provide the necessary laws for municipal progress
Times change events march forward and conditions
arise that ought be met with prompnea This can not Sc
done with Congress falling 70 do It's duty.
Of course Congress is not going to confer extraordinary
legislative powers upon the Commissioners is Jealous Of
question it Is not likely that Congress viii give the Com
iszioners too much power could and should give them
power however to adopt police and other regulations that
VIII meet quickly changing conditions.
As to the Commissioners appointing the members Of the
EuuCattOn CneE0 seems 10 OPPOSITION
appointing power in the hands Of the District Supreme
Court and that body has done good work in its selections
20 far The judges Of the court free from political pres
and in independent position Even those judges
who appointed from outside the District become
real Washngonians They know that they live here
and bring up their families They naturally much
terested in public schools III making appointments 70
Che Board Of Education they earnestly seek Of the highest
class willing devote themselves unseh service Of the
public The court may make mistakes in these appoint
ments has done in the past but it does pick strictly
Washington for these positions
The Commissioners are appointed by the President As
White House appontees they subject to political pressure
from there and from Senators and congressman Of that party
not mention others Of political power and influence
long the people Of the District not able to elect
by ballot their Board Of Education they seemingly pre-
fer the appointing power TO remain where it Is
As to the Commissioners appointing judges Of the police
municipal and juvenile courts and the recorder Of deeds there
viii be less public objection The chances that the
Commissioners had the power to make these appointments
their selections would be better than those made from the
White House. which Is influenced not only by local political
leaders, but by members Of Congress.
the Commissioners of the future are genuine local
men women, and some day we win have woman Com
missioner their natural preference IN these judgeshp appoint
ents would be Washington lawyers Politicians from the
not have suffrage here for years, we do
want HOME RULE In the best form get Il We do not
have now Many Of judghp and other appointments
go to outsiders with Congressional pull The people Of this
town should fight continuously at the White House for the
right Of people fill all local Offices judicial
otherwise Anything else is unjust and indication Of
state OF utter heplessness and servttude
There Is nothing that rrates Washington people more
Than to have fsCass Washington lawyers overlooked and
lawyers from the States appointed to vacant udgehips The
thing Is true Of other political plums in the District