Evening star., 1926-08-08
CITIZENS COUNCIL
GETS NEW PRESTIGE
Appointment of Member as
City Head Helps Body-Big
Program Ahead.

suit OF the selection of one of it's mem
bers. Proctor l.. Dougherty. as Com
missioner. the Citizens Advisory
Council is preparing to go forward
with renewed vigor in its work Of
pushing needed District legislation
and studying budget recommends
tions.
Although the council still is an in
fant in Washington's family Of civic
organizations. being less than two
years old, II appears to be getting OIL
to a good start in life.
On the board of Commissioners as
now constituted there is Engineer
Commissioner Bell generally regarded
as the father Of the council idea, and
Commissioner DouEherty, who as
delegate in the Federation of Citizens
Associations was on the committee
that drafted the council plan.
House Committee Helps.
Another development that has given
considerable impetus to the council
was the aCtlOn of the House District
committee at the last session in adopt
ing as regular procedure the cuStona
Of referring al bills to the council for
an advisory report. just as the District
authorities are asked for recommends
tionS.
The Senate. District committee did
not go 50 TAR rs 10 refer bills to the
council hut il received copies OF the
advisory body's reports and made fire.
uuent reference TO them in discussing
Legislative proposals in committee
meetings.
Commissioners Dougherty will re
linquish his seat on the council. but
he has Indicated that he regards 1t as
a desirable factor in ascertaininS the
sentiment Of the citizens associations
on municipal problems. Referring to
the part he took on the committee
that drafted the constitution of the
council, Mr. Dougherty said:
THE council plan was not arrived
at in a perfunctory way. but after
careful consideration of various pro
posals. We granted hearings to those
who had different ideas on the ques-
ton. ! regard the existence of this
advisory group as helpful arrange
ment"
Recalls House Body Action.
The Commissioner recalled the mark
of recognition given the council early
this year by the House District COM
mittee in having printed as docu-
ment the first legislative report of
the council.
Mr. Dougherty during his long resi-
dence in Washington has not con
fined his civic endeavor to the citizen
association groups. for he is also d
member of the Board of Trade and
Chamber of Commerce, working for
civic betterment.
Engineer Commissioner Bell de-
clares that he was we'll pleased with
the progress the council has made.
Col. Bell indicated that the measure
of recognition the council received
from the committees of Congress at
the last session was more than he had
anticipated after one year of its eX-
istence.
There may be room for improve
ment in the council plan to make 1t
more representative" said Col. Bell,
but l feel it has amply justified its
creation thus far"
Since the adjournment of Congress
the council has been busy studying
the District budget recommendation
for the next fiscal year and after that
is completed the council will prepare
itself to resume advocacy of those
matters on its Legislative program
that failed to go through at the last
session.
Suter Lists Big Tasks.
Jesse c. Suter, chairman of the
council, yesterday called attention to
the following important matters that
still are on the councils legislative
program and for which it Will con-
tinue to labor when Congress returns:
A bill to provide a permanent plan
for the equlthl le apportionment of the
fiscal obligation between the Federal
and District governments.
Repeal of the Borland amendment,
under which abutting property own
ers are assessed half the cost of street
Improvements.
crossings.
Extension of Fourteenth street
through W-lter Reed Hospital
grounds.
A new insurance code for the Dis
trict of Columbia.
The council has a number of less
important bills on. its program. but
those mentioned are the most vital.
Mr.. Suter also believes with Col.
Bell that the council has justified it's
creation and that il will continue to
he of service to the commissioners
and Congress in studying local prob
lens. Just before Congress adjourned
the council wrote TO Chairman Zihl-
man OF the House District committee
thanking him for the opportunity that
was extended the council to be of
service.
Text of ZihIman Reply.
Chairman Zihlman sent the follow
ing reply II feel that the suggestions,
advice and opinion expressed by the
Citizens Advisory Council have been
of great assistance 10 the committee
In considering the many matters of
local Importance which have been re-
ferred to us for action. | can per
sonally assure YOU that your reports
have been Of very great service TO us
and | have felt after perusing them
that YOU have endeavored to reflect
the sentiments as well as the best
interests OF the city"
EIiNERAI 0E II T0MGE