The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1934-09-20
AScertaining Opinion
Senator King on Referenda


Senator King on Referenda
The opposition voiced by Senator William n. King,
chairman of the Senate District Committee to the pro-
posal of Commissioner George E. Allen for the holding
of advisory referenda among local citizens matters of
civic interest is amazing in its caous condemnation Of
an effort to give our people degree of participation
in their community affairs.
It is surprising that who has attempted to ascer
tain public opinion here has Senator King in numer
Gus committee hearings, should feel that there is not
genuine and crying need for referenda.
Senator King and his colleagues have sat for hours in
the District Committee listening to arguments OF
local citizens for and against various pieces of legislation
THE CONTRADICTORY VIEWPOINTS WHICH
HAVE BEEN PRESENTED TO THE COMMITTEE
AND THE UTTER 1MPoss1B1L1TY OF DETERMINE
ING WHICH OF THOSE VIEWPOINTS REPRE-
SCENTED THE OPINION OF THE MAJORITY OF
OUR CITIZENS WOULD, IT SHOULD BE THOUGHT,
HAVE IMPRESSED THE UTAH SENATOR.
There probably has never been piece of local legs
laon passed upon by Congress upon which the Congress
could definitely know the views of the majority of our
citizens.
It is true that some bills have received what appeared
to be overwhelming approval. Yet that approval has
usually been confined to the relatively small part of our
citizenry which is vocal.
UNDER COMMISSIONER ALIENS PROPOSAL
BOTH THE BOARD OF DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS
AND THE CONGRESS WOULD HAVE AN OPPOR-
TUN1TY TO ASCERTAIN BEYOND ANY DOUBT
HOW THE GREAT BODY OF OUR PEOPLE FEEL
UPON ANY CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE.
# Senator King while visiting the District Building
shortly after condemning the referenda project had
dropped into the board he would have seen con-
oF IF
gram.
The District Commissioners, setting precedent, are
attempting to find out what kind of budget the tax
payers of the city want for the coming fiscal year.
They have already listened to of witnesses and
will probably listen to additional scores SO diverse have
been the recommendations of the various individuals and
groups, so contradictory have been Of the view
points that it will be next to impossible for the Com
mssioners to work out budget which they say has
the unqualified support of the people who will have to
finance it.
A REFERENDUM ON THE GENERAL OUTLINE
OF THE BUDGET GIVING THE PUBLIC CHANCE
TO MAKE KNOWN DEFINITELY WHETHER IT
WANTS AN INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE TO
MEET NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS AND HOW MUCH
THAT TAX INCREASE SHOULD BE, WOULD SOLVE
THE PROBLEM AND WOULD PERMIT THE COM
MISSIONERS TO GO TO CONGRESS WITH ESTI-
MATES WHICH, BECAUSE OF POPULAR AP-
PRovAI, WOULD COMMAND ATTENTION
AS much interest as Senator King and some of his
colleagues display in the District would not fear,
enable them to speak with any degree of authority
the wishes of the people of the city.
They simply have means available for determining
local sentiment.
Senator King directs attention to citizens associa
tons and trade groups mediums of expression for
our people, The Senator is correct in saying that these
organizations have performed and performing
derful service for the community.
But in general they speak for specific Of the
city and only occasions they able by uniting
TO make known what may be the view of the city
whole.
IT IS TO BE HOPED THAT BEFORE CONGRESS
CONVENES SENATOR KING WILL REVERSE HIS
VIEWS AND GIVE OUR CITIZENS A CHANCE TO
MAKE THEIR WISHES KNOWN EFFECTIVELY.
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