The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-02-19
Outsiders Should Not Control
District Affairs
Nv BHL PRICE

The District Commissioners correctly interpret local feeling
and stand for fair dealing when they object to outsiders
trolling District affairs Washington people viii scldly ap-
proye firm attitude the part Of the Commissioners
against future legislation which places heavy fiscal burdens
mon District people puts the expenditure of the
in the hands Of people not permanent residents Of this city
Commissioner BELL calls attention this in connection
with the bill which passed the House providing for the
National Capital Planning Commission to have control of all
city planning and in the important surrounding the
District in Virginia Maryland The Commissioner voices
the identical expressed in this newspaper which again
urges the Commissioners take the lead in standing firm not
only for Washington, but for Washington people
The National Capital Planning Commission will be the pivot
in the future development of that Greater Washington which
will extend into the suburban regions around the District
It viii control practically every phase OF city planning In
me ne usue !a 8 a. = yooor;vad Nv
Virginia and Maryland.
That Commission according to the BILL will of
members lone of whom shall be fide resident Of the
With the exception of the Engineer Commissioner
all the other members viii either be outsiders or temporary
officials stationed here There will be frequent changes in
part of the due to shifting of officials to other
pisces
authority important municipal matters just will
be BONA FIDE District citizen The majority will pay
taxes Washington and have interest in District affairs
beyond that of wanting Washington become the world
beautiful land attractive city None Of the members
viii be responsive to local sentiment in any manner and can
viii Just they please although Washington prop
ey viii have immense property and other interests
ct stake.
There are other commissions having do with Washington
affairs that similarly constituted AL the people of this
city out of this situation the right to pay continually in
creasng increasing fiscal burdens involved
We welcome the National Capital Planning Commission,
the Fine Arts Commission and other agencies the OF
noted authorities in city planning and architecture We want
help for Washton upbudng from the greatest and most
expert available but plainly just and square that
there shall be larger representation Of District citizens upon
these bodies.
Commissioner Bell the originator Of the idea of al
Citizens Advisory Council because he saw that Congress
imposing heavier burdens upon the District people,
and felt that il right that District people should have
greater participation Of most indirect character
Congress both the Commissioners and the
Advisory Council but when show down proceeds
virtually ignore District people in vitality important matters
In which they have the deepest and most direct
Trucking certain powerful influences in the House in
past nothing but bring conemptuous disregard
Of fairness and is time the Commissioners and the
Advisory Council stand up and fight like for this city
and its citizens We not going to get anything like
square deal by laying down