Evening star., 1934-12-28

larly the statutes Of Utah and Illinois.
THE bill deals specifically with
finances, taxes. highways. traffic.
licensing of businesses. etc. The pres
ent draft then contains q general
clause providing that the Commis-
sioners may direct or prohibit action
by any official, committee, commits
sion, board or other agency financed
in whole or in part from District
revenues, whenever in their judgment
such direction or prohibition is ad-
visable In the public interest.
Would Preserve Boards.
"The bill does not effect any re-
organization Of the District govern
ment, but relates directly and solely
to the powers Of the Commissioners.
1t would leave the existing boards
such as the School Board, Board Of
Public Welfare. Parole Board. etc. as
the active administrative agencies in
control in their respective fields Just
as at present. but with q reserve
emergency power lodged in the Com
nlssioners for exercise whenever in
their judgment such action is advis-
able. As a matter of practice. such
power might be seldom exercised; as
a matter of responsibility it would
always be present 1t would not be
available as a matter of appeal by the
agencies involved or by outside per-
sons affected 1t would be exercised
only upon the initiative and judg-
ment Of the Commissioners them
selves.
While the Commissioners have
considered and tentatively agreed upon
the basic principles, they have not yet
passed upon the proposed draft"
The move comedies with the
thought recently voiced by the Com
missioners in connection with pro-
posals for a coordination OF the
recreational and playground facilities
Of the District as proposed in a report
by an agent of the National Recre-
ational Association. There were sug-
gestions at that conference that con-
troll Of playground activities here be
placed in the hands of a Joint COM
mission. One of these would have the
director or commission named by the
Federal agency control or influence.
Commissioners Hazen and Allen de-
clared at the time they felt recre-
alton activities were municipal
function and therefore that the con-
troll and responsibility should be CEN
;ered on the District Commissioners.
Hazen also has suggested in the
past that the Park Police should be
combined with the Metropolitan Police
force. Other District officials have
suggested also that the Commission
members OF the Board of Education
Suggestions for centralizing power
in the hands of the District Com
missioners are expected to be sub
mitted to the Senate District Com.
mittee by the committee named last
year to study reorganization OF the
District government. Members of
this committee are Mai. Daniel j.
Donovan. District auditor and budget
officer; William A. Roberts, peoples
counsel. and a representative of the
director Of the Budget Bureau. The
committee as yet has not submitted
a formal report containing recon-
mendations as to the changes in the
administration. Numerous volumes
Of statistics on the present methods
of operation were submitted months
ago. There has been some disagree
ment between Maj. Donovan and
Roberts as to suggested changes in the
form Of government, but both have
indicated they believe there should
be a greater Capitalization of power
in the heads of District government.
When Congress meets next week,
the Senate District Committee will
be ready to begin work Immediately
on dozen or more measures as the
result of long conference yesterday
afternoon between Chairman King of
the Senate group and Mr.. Prettyman.
Senator King told Prettyman he
will introduce ali the bills the Com
missioners have placed on their pro-
gram, and will call committee meet
ing as soon as possible.
Law Measure Asked.
In addition to the bills the Com
missioners sent up, Senator King
asked Prettyman to prepare a meas
ure calling for revision and codifi-
cation Of the code of laws of the Dis
trict. Every session of Congress
amends or adds to various District
laws. and Senator King believes there
should be restudy of the code.
While the motorists safety RESPONSE
bility bill was being discussed with the
corporation counsel, Senator King said
the traffic situation has reached sn
acute stage in Washington, particu-
larly in regard to parking and jay
walking. The Senator said he did
not know just what should be done
to improve conditions, but indicated
he believes parking is serious phase
of the problem. He said in his home
city the authorities are taking steps
to prevent pedestrians from crossing
streets in the middle of a block, and
he expressed belief such q rule should
be applied here.
Other Bills Planned.
In addition to the gambling and