Evening star., 1934-08-12


made at the request OF the Senate
bv a committee composed OF Moi.
Daniel J, Donovan, District du-
dftor; william A. Roberts, peoples
counsel. and r. J. Bailey, who rep
resents Budget Director Douglas.
The committee has submitted a
number OF volunes on the history
OF the District government and
plans to submit another on sug-
oested changes. To incite public
suggestions Roberts recently broad
cast an appeal tof citizens to t0rjte
in their ideas.
The efficiency Of the commission
form Of government, with It's freedom
from graft, has so impressed William
c. Miller, recently retired president
Of the former Chamber of Commerce
that he would be reluctant to disturb
that feature of local government In
any reorganization. He believes that
other changes could be made through
giving the District residents voting
representation and financial equity
which would prove highly beneficial
while great changes have been
taking place in governmental forms
both locally and nationally, through
out the world and in this country
generally, I should be loath to see
changed the commission form OF
government, which has been practiced
here successfully for so many years,
said Mr.. Miller. This form OF gov
ernment has proved in our case to be
singularly free from graft and corrup-
ton generally prevailing in municipal
governments. Our city is not suffering
from a great load Of bonded indebted
ness as so many American cities are.
Consequently, our tax rate reflects no
load for the payment of interest-bear-
ing municipal securities"
Mr.. Miller points to the fact that
while the pressure Of public affairs on
the civilian Commissioners has been
enormous at times, and while their
compensation has been extremely
modest, it has always been possible TO
find patriotic and public-spirited men
capable of performing well the duties
of their Office The officers Of the
Corps of Engineers who have been
appointed to the commissionership by
the various Presidents have been uni
versally high type men Of sterling
character, who have given balance to
the civil Commissioners, Mr.. Miller
pointed out.
Favors Suffrage.
80 long as we in the District are
deprived of the right Of suffrage, We
should do well to stick to a form OF
government which has proven so eff
cient in our interests. Personally" he
said, IT am in favor Of suffrage here
and believe that We should have the
right to name representative IN
each branch of the Legislature as well
as the privilege of casting our votes
for presidential candidates"
Referendum and initiative votes by
District citizens on important District
legislation, Mr.. Miller believes, would
be an excellent way to inform Con-
gress as to local public opinion. He
believes that such method would be
far less confusing than through the
diverse views often expressed by vari-
Gus groups claiming to be representa-
tive.
The city council idea, as an ad-
visory body" said Mr.. Miller, could
be set up under our present form Of
government and should be q great aid
Whether the members of the council
were elected from the various sections
Of the District. appointed by the Pres
ident or chosen by various groups
here would not be consequential. MY
personal opinion is that we probably
would be better served by appointive
members than elective members"
Regarding the city manager" idea
Mr.. Miller thinks it places too much
responsibility upon one individual ana
gives him perhaps more power than Il
| consonant with a democratic form
! Of government, The commission
form. as We have It," he said, lis, ir
| fact. the city manager form. except
/ that the duties and powers are mor'
logically divided and better handed
than has been customary where city
memberships prevail. Political pres
sure is more difncult in the case o.
three than in the case Of one, ane
personal preiudices and personal ia
| Voritisrns are not so easily practiceC
under the commissioner form ss unde
| the city manager plan. I believe tht
city manager idea would contribute
nothing to our present form of gov
ernment and 1t would most certainl,
deprive US Of many of the advantage
Of the present form"
Would Continue Boards.
Mr.. Miller favors the continuance
with full powers. Of the Boards o
Education, Library Trustees and Pub
lie Welfare. He thinks that the trans
fer Of these functions TO the Distric
Commissioners or the reduction of tn