Evening star., 1928-06-03


revenues and the manner of its deter
mination are also described In this
connection the efforts to show that the
District really owed the United States
more than S2000.000, through various
appropriations dating back to 1874, are
discussed and the tables by which this
conclusion was arrived at are quoted.
1T appears that all these figures were
arrived at through a purely ex-parte
examination of the records under aus
pices Of a committee chairman who
evidently was firmly convinced in ad-
vance that there was a widespread con-
spiracy to make the United States pay
an undue share of the expenses of the
District" the book states The final
settlement Of the surplus question is de-
scribed, and the conclusions of the COM
mittee. which gave the District the sur
plus Of something more than $i,000,000,
are quoted.
The political status and general gov
ernment of the District are discussed
in chapter which cites the various
decisions which have affected the stand
ing of the District. Another chapter is
devoted to a scrutiny of the financial
system, In which are described the vari-
Gus steps in computing and approving
the annual budgets. This chapter also
treats with the question of untaxable
real estate in the District, the rise in
real estate assessments and the varying
tax rates, as we'll as the other sources of
tax revenue. The chapter is purely de-
scriptive, and makes no attempt to take
sides on the annually recurring contro-
versy between the District and the Fed
eral Government over the apportion-
ment Of expenses.
Local Party Influence.
In discussing the personnel system in
the District portion Of the chapter
devoted to that system describes the
influence of local political parties In the
selection of District officers who are
appointed by the President.
The so-called State committees Of
the political parties" 1t is stated, seem
TO be somewhat Of power In the Selec-
ton of District officers who are ap-
pointed By the President. When there
rs a vacancy the papers generally con-
tain items regarding the President con-
ferring with the chairman of the So
called State committee, and at other
times there are rumors regarding the
power eXerted by those inside the Big
Five" (the Republican State committee)
AAi A(40tl at 0AAd4IG LII hA&E LC2>C VA
eral appointments in the States the
President is generally guided by the
views Of Senators, Representatives or
national committeeman Of his own
party. II is but natural that he should
turn to the only party representative in
the District-the head Of the so-cailed
although it Is evident at
times Presidents have used other sources
Of information. There Is material
difference between the chairman of a
real State committee and the chairman
Of the So-called State committee for the
District. In the States the cI1airnen
are now generally selected through some
form of legal primary. In the District.
however. the members OF their parties
have no real opportunity to indicate
their choice"
How Congress Rules.
One chapter Is devoted TO the exclu-
sive and unique power Of Congress over
the District OF Columbia.
AT present Congress has obtained
for Itself the power to enact such public
laws as generally come within the field
Of State legislatures. For instance,
Congress can alone at present declare q
legal holiday in the District.
Congress also passes as many laws which
in other jurisdictions would be munich
pal ordinances enacted by the city coun-
ell But II has delegated to the Com
missioners and others the power TO pass
municipal ordinances and police regula-
tionG, although 1t does not hesitate 10
step In and enact such ordinances and
regulations ss laws of the United States.
II is contrary 10 an act Of Congress To
fly a kite over any street or public space
in the city Of Washington and George
town, bu. il Is merely violation Of a
police regulation 10 drive an aircraft
over any part of the District Of Coilin-
bia without authority from the Com
n!gsioners. For the District of Coium-
bia, therefore, Congress acts as a State
legislature and municipal council, al
though some Of the powers Of a munich
pal council are exercised by other
agents.
1T tn Impossible 10 make any general
statement regarding the powers that are
actually exercised by Congress at the
present time The most that can be
said Is that Congress exercises such
powers as are not conferred on other
agencies, and that at times 1t legisiates
On such subjects which are within the
general 0rdinapce-making power Of the
Commissioners"
The attempts 70 regulate the speed
Of vehicles In the District are used 10
ilillstratc the particularly with which
AZ times Congress legislateg for the Dis
trict. In this connection IL is recalled
that in 1887 Congress gave the Com
mlssioners power 10 regulate the move
u1entg Of vehicles on the public streets
and avenues for the preservation Of or
Ger and the protection Df life and limb, 8
ojt when the automobile was developed
Congress took away from the COfnn1ia-
sioners the power ~ FIX speed limits and
prescribed rates Of speed in 1908 which
continued in effect until 1917, by which
time they had become generally disre-
2arded. Then IN 1913 Congress empoW-
cred the Commissioners 10 govern the
speed Of automobiles. Three years later
Congress gave the Army officer In
charge ot the park system power 70
make speed regulations In t1e parks, a
poWer which he still possesses. But In
1925 Congress again took upon itself
The duty Of 0zing the speed limit In
the District. End authorized the traffic
director N allow higher speed In GER
tain designated areas.
Work Depends on Chairman.
IN 0REuS5tffA me iIetftct C0fiD1liteeh
of The House and Senate the book points
out that the chairnen and The majority
Of the members are selected from the
party controlling the House or Genats,
and the chairman Is always The senior
committee member in point Of service
belonging ~ the dominant party.
Generally the character ~ the work
done by the committee is d reflection
Of the state Of mind Of the chairman. -
says the book. If he Is open~minded
industrious and reasonable, he will spur
the committee 10 good legislation. If he
Is filed with obsesgi0ns, lacks perapec-
tiYe or is ternperamentaiiy unfit, the
committee VIII be in turmoil, the Holisf
viii not follow hts Lead. af6 there II
danger NJ iil-adyssed legislation or nc