Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-28
Commissioners Reticent on
Matters Discussed on Week
End Rapidan Visit.
CROSBY SEES REVIVAL
OF POWER INCREASE BILL
Declares Measure Proposed Four
Years Ago May Be Basis Of
New District Legislation.

The District Commissioners were eX-
tremely reticent today on their return
to the District Building after a week
end spent with President Hoover at his
Rapidan fishing camp.
Commissioner Herbert B. Crosby said
that he had been informed that all news
relating to their interview with the
President would be given out by the
White House. Questioned about the
legislative program which the PreSl-
dent was reported to have asked the
Commissioners to have ready by the
time the next Congress convenes, ne
said that he was in doubt as to what
matters would be included.
Refers to Old Bill.
He said that the terms Of bill in
troduced four years ago to increase the
powers of the Commissioners might
probably serve as a basis for the pro-
gram. This bill, upon which Congress
never took action, provided that, in ad-
dition to their regular powers. the or
ders of the Commissioners should have
the effect of an act of Congress with
regard to the following subjects:
Regulating the amount and character
of license fees to be imposed upon trace,
professions and vocationS and promul-
eating regulations for the conduct OF
such trades, etc.
Regulating vendors on the streets and
prohibiting street vending in such parts
of the District as they consider adVls-
able.
Regulations governing exigencies re-
lating to presidential inaugurations.
conventions, professions, or other such
occasions or emergencies.
Could Cancel Taxes.
Regulations relating to the erection OF
fire escapes and fire-proofing of build
ings. Remitting penalties and interest
on overdue taxes and cancelling taxes
when in the public interest.
Power to construct any public works
by day labor at a cost not to exceed
$4,000.
To widen or narrow roadways and
sidewalks and to name or rename GER
tain streets in the District.
To fix the rate Of assessment for in
stallation and construction of sewers,
water mains. sidewalks, curbs, paving OF
roadwayS and alleys.
To appoint District civil employees as
special policemen for the protection of
public property and the enforcement of
municipal regulations in general with
out additional compensation.
The bill would also have given them
power to appoints the recorder of deeds
Of the District and the Board of Edu-
cation.
Seeks Detail Relief.
Since the agitation for this bill Con-
gress gave the Commissioners the right
to remit assessments and taxes not to
exceed $4,000 in certain cases. The
other matters are still in the hands OF
Congress for direct legislation.
Gen. Crosby said that he would like
to have some kind of scheme worked
out whereby he would be relieved of a
lot of detailed work now falling upon
hSrn and be able to devote more time
to directing the policies of the branches
of the service coming under his control.
These include the Police and Fire De-
partments, the Office of the director Of
traffic and the corporation counsels
office.
He said that the Commissioners would
arrange an informal meeting some time
in the near future and arrive at some
decision as to what should be included
In the legislative program.
Engineer Commissioner John c. Got
walls was likewise reticent. He said that
ne considered himself too new on the
Job Che has been in Office only since
July 2l) to be ready with any schemes
for legislative program. He said that
one Of the things in his mind was some
simplification of the legislative ma
chinery which now appears very battling
to him, but he said he was not ready
with any constructive suggestions as to
how this might be simplifled.
Commissioner Luther H. Reichelderfer
left the building almost immediately
after his arrival and could not be
reached for his views.