The Washington times., 1925-01-21
The Farce of Congress as Our
Town Council
By BILL PRICE.

by BILL Fh1CE
The legal department of the government has
brought civil suits against small number of Washington
residents for Of and ice removal plus penalty
and in the which directs this procedure the
absurdity of Congress town council in matters so
Likewise YOU see lamentable division of Federal and District
authority this city, with law for citizens of the District
and law for Federal officials
The law passed by Congress to take the place
snow removal law declared by Appeals to be
unconstitutional provides where is removed
by property the street cleaning department shall
the work and the COST plus penalty Of not $25
in each Refusal to the cost followed by suit for
recovery winter 1000 assessments made and
100 suits filed of which have resulted in success for
the District government.
Congress the author of that law distinguished sena
tor of those against whom suit has been brought for
failure to act the last snow and ice storm that banketed
the city.
While Congress telling the District government what
it should do to the private citizens of this municipality it
did take the slightest action compel the removal of
from the sidewalks around Government buildings parks
And it may be stated that the snow and ice were not
removed from around Government buildings the sidewalks
of which used by the voteles taxpayers of this city
The drjveways the Capitol Grounds given
ton and the sidewalks around the House Office Building
as icy for ten days as the most sOveny street or alley in
the District
city fathers let the sunshine mild temperature
of mddays clean the and ice from side
walks around the District Building and the front steps of the
District Building covered with snow for ten days
These things probably explain why District jues are quite
loath apply laws private citizens which
carried out in spirit by the Federal and District governments
themselves.
is amusing to have the honorable Congressman from
Podunk soemnly arise in the House and Jump all over
District people for allowing their sidewalks remain
with when the honorable gentleman himself slid
icy walks in the Capitol grounds to get to the hall where he
made his speech.
These things pont lesson of the ineficiency of municipal
administration in city which the people have control
and where there woefu division in authority between the
Federal and District governments together with utter lack of
cooperation.
District citizens to be compelled to shovel the
from in front of their premises and large numbers of them
have it done at expense matter of pride and
cleanliness there should be law rules requiring the
duty from officials in charge Of public buildings and grounds
including parks used highways by the people.
This farccal condition Of affairs where Congress
might properly bestow the District Government to
make regulations that workable and which will be in
harmony with similar regulations to sidewalks and high
ways around Federal properties.
The whole thing is absurd and impractical that the
District Commissioners ought forbid any attempt
part the street cleaning department to put the removal
law into effect To do to clog the already congested
local courts with that get nowhere Much would
be accomplished if the Commissioners to make appeal
the public to do all they could to keep sidewalks cleared of
Snou