Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-11

munlcinaI matters As an illustration
he pointed out that regulations for re-
moval of snow and ice cannot he en-
forced since the court has held they
are unconstitutional because Congress
has removed jurisdiction in such mat
tiers from the District Commissioners.
Mr. Williams in discussing the sec
ton providing for the appointment of
the recorder of deeds the Board of
Education and the Board of Chart
ties and Of other officers and boards
exercising municipal functions. by the
commissioners said that all We're
strictly city officials.
Act ON Licenses.
ON The section to regulate the
amount and character of license fees
on trade. professions and Vocattons
and 10 promulgate regulations for the
conduct of such trades. professions
and vacations. he said that the last
general enactment by Congress in re-
gard to license fees was in 1902. and
since then many of the trades, profess
Sions and Vocat lions covered in that
legislation are extinct. while others
have developed that should be includ-
ed. MIR. Reid contended that the pow.
ers should be strictly enumerated and
not bla nket authority given to reeu-
late everything
Mr. Zihlmau asked what objection
the commissioners had To the appoint
ment OF the recorder of deeds by the
President. and Mr.. Williams explain
ed that the purpose was to take this
municipal office out of the political
struggle anon" applica ntS. MIR. Reid
asked if the Commissioners were not
seeking both appointive and legislative
powers.
Mr.. Zihlna masked if there was OBJ
lection to any of the appointees on
the Board of Education. Mr.. Villa ms
replied that there WAS none as far Is
he knew. but that the pudges of the
supreme Court are anxious to he re-
lieved Of this non judicial duty of ap-
pointing the Board of Education.
Local Nature of Board.
Mr. Williams said that the President
has recognized the local nature of the
Board of Education and other mu-
nicipal Offices by consultation with the
District Commissioners and with a
number of local people.
Mr. Zihlman asked whether this leg
isIation would allow the Commission
fees at their discretion without act Of
Congress and Mr.. Williams replied
that il would. lie said that in seeking
To regulate the different trades and
professions the commissioners did not
concern themselves with qualification
to practice. but tn have the business
conducted in II modern, safe and san
itarN manner.
The third section of the bill proposes
to regulate vendors upon the streets
and to prohibit street vending as the
District commissioners may deem adj
visa BILE. Mr.. Zihlman asked whether
the District Commissioners have not
this power now. Mr.. Williams "a Id
they have but are experiencing all
sorts of difficulty.
Since The license act of 1902 a num-
her of specific laws have been pa ssed
SO that the commissioners are now
IN q quandary as to whether certain
features can he controlled hy them
or whether they must come to Con
gress for authority. The license act
is out of date. there is confusion be-
tween hucksters and peddlers and this
authority is asked solely to put the
License Bureau on modern basis.
Power Cor Gathering.
Under the fourth section the Com.
| missioners would have authority to
enact such regulations as they might
deem proper to meet eXigencies at
tendan mt upon presidential Inaugural
tons, conventions. professions and
other such emergencies
Mr. Lihman asked whether the
Commissioners would make anv at.
/ tempt to infringe upon the duties OF
the inaugural committee or whether
they are merely seeking authority t,
make police regulations which au
| thority they now have. Mr.. Williams
! replied that the purpose was to get
! authority to make additional regllla
tions for emergencies and that there
was no attempt to infringe upon the
/ inaugural committee. Mr. William,
! said that they sought to avoid the
| necessity of repeatedly coming te
Congress for authority under which
! they might better protect visitors n
| inaugurals or conventions
| Under the fifth section authorit,
would be given to enact regulations re
! lating to the erection of fire escape.
and fireproofing of buildings. Mr.
Zihlman asked If this was not al
| covered in the new building code ahC
Mr.. Williams replied that that cod,
is not in effect. as many item covered
in it have been subject to regula tiol
by Congress and the Commissioner:
| are powerless to change these regula
| tons.
Section provides for remittance o
penalties and interest which may hav,
accrued on overdue stakes, to calce
taxes, when, in the Judgment of tn,
District Commissioners. it would serv,
a public interest to do 30.
! Mr.. Zihlman and MIR. Reid both ques
toned Mr.. Williams closely on th
! subject. and Mr. Reid argued that i
was dangerous grant OF powe
which no municipal body in the worlt
had power to eXercise-the canctlla
ton of overdue taxes. He interjecte,
that such power should not be given
when the District Commissioner
cant even regulate trafic'
Section 4 covers the authority Il