Evening star., 1926-11-16
NEW GOVERNMENT
ASKED FOR CAPITAL
AT HOUSE HEARING

Al HUUOG NEAnINV
Continued from First PageD
Federal agency to stand between the
Commissioners and Congress.
Advocates Civil Service.
There should be some sort of mu-
nicipal civil service. Maj. Donovan
told the subcommittee. He empha-
sized that this is the only large
city in the United States that lacks
such a thing. He explained that all
appointments are made by the Dis
trict Commissioners and to serve
at the pleasure of the Commission
ers, but that he never knew any
Commissioner who had misused this
authority.
In reply to questions by Mr. Reid,
Mr.. Donovan said: You will not find
any government anywhere that will
compare for honesty, efficiency and
real honest to- goodness service with
the District organiza tion."
Mr.. Reid asked what there was to
Representative Davies attack in the
last session Of Congress regarding
timewasters and clock-watchers in
the Government employment. Mr..
Donovan replied that the District
has a model municipal organization.
In reply to a question from Chair
man Gibson, he said that the Dis
trict has been non-partisan and that
no politics has crept through the
rank and Ale. He believes in a civil
protect them in their jobs as long
a they give efficient service. but he
made it plain that employees can he
removed now on their eff1ciency
ratings.
Mai. Donovan said that he Ia In
favor of a board of three Commits
sioners as now organized, rather
than a single Commissioner or a
board of FIVE Commissioners, as has
been proposed.
He believes that when the Commits
sioners are relieved of their present
duties with the Public Utilities Com
mission they will have sufficient time
for other primary duties without max
ing enlargement Of the board desir-
able.
Codification Of Laws.
He discussed With the subcom-
mittee his recommendation, for mod
ernization of the organic law. calling
It at present craZyduilt structure
that ought to he rewritten to me It
conditions of the present day. He also
spoke in favor of codifcation Of
District laws and was told by Mr..
Reid that a committee Of Congress is
now having that work done.
Mr.. Donovan also pointed out what
he believes will be an acute problem
in the future in the care Of the in
sane He said the city is now paying
a bill Of 81 10000 a year at St. Eliza
beths Hospital and pointed out that
the time is coming when the District
might he called upon to care for its
own insane in its own institution or
might take over st. Eliza heth's Hos
pital, where now more than 30 per
cent of the inmates are per diem
charges against the District.
Mai Donovan advised the commit
tee that in his opinion the board of
education ought TO he appointed hv
the Commissioners, saying that the
Judges of the superior court are not
the proper appointing power for a
municipal agency. He said the Com
missioners ought also to have the pow
er Of removal for misconduct.
He spoke In favor of some sort of
suffrage for the District with a spokes-
man in Congress to better present the
needs Of the District and to protect
local interests
The park situation was discussed
at length, emphs sis being placed on
the fact that while the park lands are
paid for from District tax funds. the
title rests In the Federal Government.
The point was made that two items
of $500 600 each have been taken from,
District funds during the current
year with no Appropriation from the
Federal Government. Chairman Glib
son again repeated a statement sew
eral times previously made that il
was the intention Of Congress. when
the bill was passed establishing the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission. that an appropriation of
$1,10o,0oo should he made annually
at the rate of per cent for each in
habitant Of the United States.
Opinion on Surplus.
In reply 70 questions Mr.. Donovan
explained at length the accumulated
surplus Of IS 600 which he said
was not appropriated by Congress s
provided under organic law and the
final expenditure Of which he called
'ineo,lita BILE" since he believes the
Federal Government should have
r,atchd a like sum from the Federal
Treasury.
II was pointed out that the bulk oi
this accumulated surplus is being ex
pended on the hNe.year scnool nlilld
ing program and that 5000 children
from Maryland and Virginia attend
these schools at cost to the District
of about 100000 a year and occupy
ing the equivalent Of ten Broom
school buildings.
Chairman Gibson asked Mr.. Dono-
van regarding the % per cent limit
above assessed valuation on purchase
of sites for schools. Mr.. Donovan
answered that either this limita ton
must be repealed or II will be impos
sible to get the school sites.
School Program Halted.
Mr.. Gibson asked II this limitation
had been responsible for haltine the
school program and Mr.. Donovan said
II had.
The hearing will be resumed at 10
O'Clock tomorrow morning.
sorss 9irls are easily won and some
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