The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-02-06
Popular Election OF Our
Board of Education
By BILL PRICE

About the only logical just objection that be made
To the direct election of Board of Education by the people
Of the District of Columbia believe in democracy at
all that mighty small concession toward suffrage
and would cost about as mucn as Vre volng were ao
resentatives Senators President and Vice President
objections that being raised are largely under
and mainly the unwngness OF certain Wash
npton people, think they have little pull and influence
to break away the manipulating methods Of selecting
members of the Board of Education and Board Of Commits
sioners
Congressman GAsoUE whose bill for eecting the Board
of Education the House correct IN his conclusion
that an overwhelming number of plain patriotic Washington
people suffrage here They prefer it to the full extent
they deserve recognize that the situation in Congress
NAV preyent complete suffrage the future Many
suffrage advocates the right to elect members of
the Board Education only too insignificant to
bother with the of real suffrage will not be
greatly advanced even be retarded by this FRANCHISE
pittance.
AS against this is the feeling that we must begin
ming suffrage and prove fitness for self government
IN local matters
Mr. Gasque real friend of District people and earnestly
desires suffrage that suggest him
get touch Senator CAPPER chairman Of the Senate
District Committee another good friend of the District
all probability these men, with others in House and
Senate could agree upon joint suffrage bill that Will go
further than the Board of Education and include the District
Commissioners the Public Utilities Commission and Dele
gate the House What need most IS representative
the House-n Senate too if have look
after District interests in Congress- inge the ma
and be hand whenever legislation at
fecting Che District is under consideration.
We could elect five Commissioners and the law pro-
vide that the receiving the highest popular vote should
be the Districts Delegate in the House That kind Of su
frage would partly satisfy the widespread sentiment that
fairly entitled to larger and direct participation
IN our local affairs.
popular election District Commissioners would not
alter the relations existing between the Federal and Dis
tct Governments and in change Federal control
The only thing would do would be put stop to
District politicians and wire puers naming trying
the Commissioners It gentlemen Of this class who
do not have any confidence in the ability Of District people
to select their municipal heads.
The main objection Congress have to eecting
Commissioners that the Commissioners would be solely
responsive the will of Washington people might
yield easily Congressional influence in appointments
the District Building
Congress has long complained that it is difficult get the
concentrated sentiment of District people any subject
In the House Presumably that Delegate would truly repre-
sent local sentiment and correctly advise Congress what
e might be.
Squarey and honestly why shouldn larger piece
Of suffrage loaf than proposed in the Gasque bil7