Evening star., 1934-02-25

GlldC our DlSCTlCC CltlZeIS aSSOCld.
tions are a rather poor substitute
for the right Of suffrage and rep
reSentation which are denied US.
Former District Commissioner
Louis Brownlow made an interest
ing reference to this idea in an
article on citizens associations at
the time Of the last membership
campaign in 1926. Mr. Brownlow
followed his years of service as a
District Commissioner with ex-
perience as city manager in an
other city. 1t was in this latter
position that he really became i'm
pressed with the value in the
community of the citizens asso-
citation and that was through the
absence Of such organizations in
Petersburg, Va, and Knoxville,
Tenn. In this connection, Mr..
Brownlow added, THE neighbor-
hood association of citizens that
takes upon itself the responsible
ity for the discussion Of COM
munity problems and the recon-
mendation of community policies
is necessary part Of the machin-
cry of a dynamic democracy. I
would say that such machinery
ought to be set up in addition to
the ballot box in all cities. I
would say that these associations
constitute an instrument for the
continuous recording of public
sentiment with respect to THINGS
of local government, whereas the
ballot box is too often only an in
strument for the periodical record
ing of public sentiment with the
PERSONS of local government"
In concluding this article. Mr..
Brownlow said, so I say, if you
have any public interest or any
public spirit, or happy infusion
of both, don't delay. Join your
citizens association today"
Old-Age Pensions and
Exclusive Legislation Power.
IF THERE Is one piece Of pro-
posed new legislation upon
which there Is rather general
civic organization approval, it Is
the pending old-age pension bills.
Organizations that have gone into
this question recognize that the
Home for the Aged at Blue Plains
Is overcrowded and some provision
must be made for these old folks.
As they have studied the problem
they have become convinced that
the pension system which has been
tried out in many of the States Is
more humane and in all probability
no more costly than the old de-
grading poorhouse method.
The sentiment on Capitol Hill
seems to favor this change and the
District Commissioners appear to
favor it also. The Commissioners,
however, must defer to the wishes
of the Budget Bureau and with
hold a favorable recommendation
for the reason that the Budget Bu-
reau advises that such legislation
Is not in accord with the Presi-
dents economy program.
Organized civic Washington has
long labored under the impression
that the Congress is clothed by the
Constitution with the power Of ex-
elusive legislation in all cases
whatsoever over the District OF
Columbia. It has also been i'm
pressed with the idea that Con-
gress very jealousy guarded this
power and was reluctant to part
with even minor municipal details
through granting increased powers
to the Commissioners. Can 1t be
possible that Congress is to COM
pletely abdicate in favor OF the
director of the Budget and the
President?
The people of the District.
through their organizations, have
clearly indicated they want this
legislation and there is available
tax money to pay for 1t. Then
why should Congress, acting as our
local legislature, not exercise its
constitutional power and grant
their "voteless constituents" what