Evening star., 1925-12-07
The Commissioners Report.

In their report to Congress for the
past fiscal year the District Commits
sioners lay down a broad program Of
general legislation which they recon-
mend for consideration. They propose.
first, that Congress appoint a joint
committee to settle the question Of
DiStrict-F Federal relations definitely.
They recommend that the powers of
the Commissioners be brOadened to in
clude many municipal functions now
requiring the attention OF Congress,
and ask that they be given more dis
cretion in expending funds by max
ing appropriations more flexible. They
call the attention Of Congress to the
rapid development of the suburbs and
to accumulated municipal needs re-
sulting from inadequate appropria
tons during and since the late war.
They stress the need for revision OF
the organic law of the Public Library
to permit its expansion in serving the
rapidly growing Capital community.
They cite the Importance of continu-
Ing the building program at Gallinger
Municipal Hospital. They call atten-
traffic law, including a certificate of
title requirement for motors. -.
The question of the fiscal relations
between the District and the Federal
Government demands attention, not in
the stress and hurry Of appropriation
making, but with greater leisure and
without complication in connection
with current and pressing legislation
Joint commissions have heretofore
considered this matter, but their con-
clusions have not resulted in a help
full, beneficial adjustment. Still the
present situation calls for such study
as the Commissioners propose. The
substantive law, supposedly govern
ing, establishes a definite ratio. The
annual appropriations have recently
been based upon the lump-sum prin-
ciple. AS the District budget increases
i'll keeping with the growth Of the
Capital. the actual ratio between the
lump sum and the total diminishes. 1t
will be helpful, and perhaps will, by
removing cause for controversy at
every session, facilitate the develop
ment of the Capital upon an equitable
basis to have this matter settled def
nitely. A joint commission Of the two
houses may reach such a settlement.
Commissioners and of their discretion
in the expending of funds Is desira-
BILE in view of the difficulty Of secur-
ing attention to local matters in Con.
gress, which is increa easingly congested
with national business and which Is
Increasingly disposed to devote ade-
quate time to District affairs.
Revision of the organic law relat ting
to the Public Library has become es-
sential to permit expansion for
the rapid development of that institu-
ton in meeting the needs of the COM
munity for books in circulation. Three
branches are now established. More
are required and. under the terms of
the original gift of Andrew Carnegie
and the liberal disposition of the trust
ioi iiicu ny LIlll, billS eAIEiilSlpll Is IOS-
sible. Certain amendments to the or
ganic act. however, are requisite to
permit this, most important work to
be carried on without embarrassing
delays.
In their report of physical condi.
tions the Commissioners present a pic
ture of District development. of good
administration and of bright prospect
for the future They render a salts
factory accounting of their steward
ship over a community Of half a mil
lion people.