Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-04
District and Congress,

In the closing hours Of the session
much District legislation was enacted
for which the people of Washington
give thanks to Congress. Several i'm
portant bills which had reached the
conference stage and final action on
which was questionable owing to the
nearness of the time set for adjourn
nent were at the last moment hasten.
ed through and are now laws, to the
great advantage Of the capital com.
munity. One Of these was the bill Gre
ating a public utilities commission
separate from the Board OF Commits.
efoners. Another was the bill to amend
the traffic code. for which there is q
most urgent need to permit an effec.
tive enforcement Of proper regulations
for the control Of traffic in the streets
OF Washington. Still another was the
bill to provide for q new building for
the Police Court. an appropriation
for which will be sought and undoubt.
edly granted at the next session. Other
measures Of local importance which
secured final approval were that for
the erection of new bridge across
Rock Creek at NJ street, and that ad-
justing the matters of leave and dis.
ability benefits OF the park and metro
politan police.
Taken altogether this has been a
profitable session Of Congress for Dis.
trfct matters, though a troubled one
Recently District affairs have been
under sharp discussion in both houses,
particularly in the House of Repre-.
sentatives. One outcome of that dis
cussion is the appointment of a COM
mittee Of Representatives to investi-
gate District affairs during the recess
and report to Congress next Winter.
Appointments to this committee have
been announced. The members who
will conduct this inquiry are known to
be fair and are much interested in the
District welfare. They may be relied
upon to conduct a thorough and an
impartial investigation.
In all the circumstances it Is desir-
able that there should be a better un-
Outstanding Of District matters on the
part of Congress and such an under
standing is most surely to be had
through an inquiry that will, without
seeking any object Of specific attack,
reach to the whole situation Of Dis.
trict municipal administration. If
there are doubts regarding efficiency
OF personnel they may be cleared
through direct examination of the
executive Offices. II there are ques-
lions as to methods they can be
answered in the same manner.
Westinghouse are confident that
this inquiry, conducted as the member
ship Of the committee assures. will dis.
close that the District Government is
sound and honest and eficient. There
may be deficiencies in some of the
departments of the local administra-
ton, but they are in the main due to
lack of forces and means.
There Is no reason to be concerned
on the score of what this committee
may find. For some time past much
has been made in the course of hear
ings growing out Of the charges
brought against Commissioner Fen.
ming in the nature Of complaints by
those with grievances. Now opportun-
4ty Is to be afforded to all with doubts
to express regarding the integrity
and the efficiency of the District ad.
ministration to present themselves
and their allegations with assurance Of
full hearing and just conclusion.