The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-03-20
The Proposed Citizens Council
for the District
Rv Bill PRICE.

-
+;vans associations are having warm time discus
snr the nroposed citizens council which would act as an
advisory body to the District Commissioners IN
legislation affecting the District and IN making
tions to Congress.
ea considerable divergence Of opinion on the sunJec
more aularv as to plans proposed for the Selection OF
members of this unofficial body which is looked upon ~
some citizens serious manner and as step IN the
Of real suffrage for the District
sicner BELL who has shown himself in full sympathy with
local sentiment virtually all questions and at the same time
. most worthy city father
The plan does credit Commissioner Bell because IS
beroan in genuine desire to close cooperation and
understanding between Commissioners and the people OF
Washington and likewise give unofficial recognition TO the
overwhelming feeling Washngtonan for the right to vote
and elect their own officials.
n anv plan could be devised for an advisory city council
that would satisfy the people Of Washington pending genuine
suffrage there would probably be little objection OipOp
penve boxes candies Neither will the shadow OF suffrage
satisfy the people Of Washington when they know that the
substance can be obtained and is their right
Simply aid to the Commissioners IN passing upon local
problems the usefulness Of the council unless human nature
changes would be offset by contention and claims that mem
bers body did represent public opinion It will
be practically impossible to set up elective machinery for mem
bers OF the council that viii not invite attack The elections
be held through citizens associations and civic
bodies which, while representative Of local sentiment to
large degree embrace in their membership only small proper
ton Of the citizenship Of the District.
Under existing methods all civic organizations OF the Dis
ct make direct appeals to the Commissioners and to Con-
es In that way Commissioners become fully acquainted
wishes Of District people As i is there is frequently
differences Of opinion much IN fact that Congress
claims hampered by conflicting views District subjects
and doesn't know just what TO do.
city council would not put stop 70 these appeals going
% Commissioners and Congress It's work might might
not invite avalanche Of criticism and Ill feeling which
would do the District good In Congress and check
the strong feeling prevailing in that body for legislation
conferrng direct suffrage upon all the people Of the District
We do not want to multiply the channels through which
local dcord may increase The fact that the proposed council
would unofficial body would give the satisfactory
standing would have II it had been duly elected by all the
people There win follow charges Of seshnes packed coun
% cques and preponderance Of representatives Of part
the city others As already pointed by citizens
association council will be respected which is not elected
upon due considerations of population, etc.
Under circumstances with chances fast improving
TO full suffrage rights here do want additional oppor
tuniies display haggng lack Of unity ETC. It manifest
that unofficial council be elected that would be regarded
by the public the light Of regularly legally elected
Gil.
The Commissioners are after ALL the responsible officials for
legislative recommendations for the District The proposed
council might talk and all it wanted to- but the Com
mssoners failed agree with it. what then? There would
be to public opinion whole and there would
be civic galore The effect Congress would be
detrimental to the District
What we should unity citizenship for solid
attack Congress for the right to participate in local
and national affairs just all other Americansby going
the ballot box and picking Commissioners and other
local officials!