The Washington times., 1925-06-05
Let Us Have More Home Rule
for the District
Nv RuL PRICE,.

By BILL PRIZE.
Il has probably not escaped the attention OF washington
people that the cordial public approval given the appointment
Of Colonel r. FENNG District Commissioner largely
due TO the fact that the new appontee with Wash
ineton's conception Of home rule for this city
The President might have complied with the threeyear
residence law and yet not have selected man ~
identified with affairs and progress OF this CITY, Du 1uy
in sympathy with the sentiments OF the citizens OF Inc COM
n houId be significant to everybody that there
thing real and earnest the feeling Of Washington people
that they are entitled greater measure OF control and
anaeement of their own affairs Until suffrage granted
our citizens this rule spirit best be manifested by
local made up OF men and women VINO Delong
here pay all sorts here and are devoted boosters
Of this National City.
the hreeyear residence qualification good law as
To- District Commissioners the principle should be just
as good when applied important positions in the District
government the disposal Of the Commissioners themselves
an outsider would obnoxious to people as Com
missioner then outsiders will not satisfactory placed in
positions Of trust in the District Building
The habit Of Commissioners in past years Of catering to
political demands from the Capitol elsewhere the
of appointments positions in the DISTRICT Building has
fourths Of the money to run this Federal CITY Il is true that
the Commissioners under obligations to favor the
in Congress but they are under no obligations
to Let certain in Congress dominate appointments In the
Under Commissioners RUDOLPH OYSTER and BELL the
gentlemen with pull Capitol Hill have not gotten away with
much political pie the District Building they did years
ago. under other Commissioners The system of dispensing
choice District plums please Senator'S Representatives
has not after all benefited the District in local legislation
in appropriations notorious fact that several members
Of the House who the and berest enemies Of
the District IN that body received favos the
District Building than the best friends the District has in
Congress.
The late Commissioner OYSTER was decidedly fearless in
rejecting political demands from the Capitol unless was
undoubtedly in the interests Of the District they
be met The President HARDING let Captain
have his way President COOLIDGE inclined to
lean strongly toward the idea that home rule the just right
Of District people.
Bearing directly upon this subject Of home rule for ex
gton Major SULLIVAN, the splendid incumbent Of that
office expected retire In the future being eligible
after long and notable il the department
When that time there to be the old srug
gle to bring In outsider represented possessing
qualifications for the position hard find inside the police
departmenthe usual reflection that Of the Washington
force incompetent and that outside large numbers of
men specially fitted for the position.
Bunk Is generally illogical and this line of chatter par
enchanment The fellow know least is supposed be
mperhuman and to possess abilities and qualifications that
and women around us do not possess
usually offered outsiders with military records
chaps who the support Of Senators
from whose States they hail The presumption the
military glamour should appeal to the appointing powers
What want in Washington in the future and now
and its people and best the public because does
know and problems.
The fair thing and the thing which will have the greatest
Influence for good in police department head
Of that department whenever there vacancy come
from the ranks and be fully acquainted with the personnel
and activities Of the department Washington policemen are
entitled to the incentive that there promotion ahead for
those who do their duty well and ertOrously the
policy that should prevail throughout the District