Evening star., 1935-01-20
DESPOT|SM SEEN.
IN BROADENING Of
D. c. HEADS POWER
Committee of Federation of
Citizens to Fight Pret-
lyman Bill.
preliminary REPORT
IS GIVEN AT SESSION
No Reason Is Found for Proposals
to Alter Public Library and
Schools Control.

ScnOOlS COnCrOl.
An approach to despotic control OF
the District of Columbia was seen by
the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tions, meeting last night at the Dis
trict Building, in the proposed bill to
increase the powers of the Commis-
sioners.
In a lengthy preliminary report,
George E. Sullivan, chairman of a
special committee on reorganization
of the District government, declared
the so-called Prettyman bill, in ef-
feet, would set up a new organic act
for the control of District affairs and
cit is manifestly idle to suppose that
any good would result"
The whole proposal, Sullivan said,
Is so complicated and covers so many
subjects the committee so far has
been unable to complete its study and
prepare a final report. He left no
doubt in the minds of delegates to
the federation, however, that the spe-
cial committee will fight all efforts
to have the bill enacted.
Comparison Lacking.
Ordinarily, when a new organic
act or code of law Of any kind is pro-
posed" the report said, "the pro-
posers realize the duty on them to
prepare and collate the existing law,
or lack Of it, on each proposition, in
parallel columns with the proposed
new law, and also the specific rea-
sons supposed to warrant the pro-
posed changes. Such obvious duty
has been overlooked or disregarded in
the instant matter, with the result
that the task imposed upon the pub
lie, in order to understand the nature
and effect Of what is proposed, is
very onerous and time consuming,
and inexcusably so.
In fact, under these conditions, it
would seem that an extensive in
vestigation and comparison of the
existing law with the proposed new
provisions must be conducted by men,
bers of the legal profession before any
really intelligent understanding of the
nature and effect of what Is proposed
can be obtained at all in many in
stances, by lay persons"
The report then took up the pro-
posals to assume control of the Board
OF Library Trustees and the Board of
Education, concluding with the asser-
tion that mo reason has been assigned,
and we do not believe any good reason
exists, for any change"
Interference Alarming.
"Many of our best citizens have been
Justly alarmed at the proposed inter-
ference with our Public Library and
public school systems. Both of these
systems are naturally close to the
hearts Of our people. Consequently, it
has been very heartening to them to
learn that Commissioner Hazen will
not advocate the retention in the pro-
posed bill of the obnoxious provisions
relating to these two subjects"
Recollections Of the bonus army of
two years ago were revived when Sui
livan pointed out that the proposed bill
gives to the Commissioners or "a desig-
mated agent" power ito cause the
withdrawal" from the District "of any
large body or group Of persons" when
ever, upon the report of the superin-
tendent Of police, it appears evident"
that such persons will cause disorder
or tend to disturb the orderly trans
action Of public or private business"
1T will be noticed" Sullivan con-
tinued, that the proposed grant of
power in this connection is practically
unlimited and BELTS a handed
dictatorship rather than a republic or
democracy. 1t could be applied against
. group of respectable, orderly and
lifelong residents of this District,
neither contemplating nor being guilty
of disorder, and yet who might find
themselves summarily elected from
the place of their birth and unable
to regain entrance in order to obtain
relief in the courts"
Claim Is Denounced.
The report also denounced the claim
that the proposed bill would merely
give to the Commissioners ordinary
executive powers. Instead, 1t was as
serted, the bill would confer executive
powers almost without restraint" and
would add Legislative municipal
powers as we'll of most far-reaching
character"
again" the report continued, "the
proposed bill has been heralded as one
seeking to put all responsibility upon
the District Commissioners; and yet,
in its opening clause it seeks to re-
leve them of such responsibility by
providing that any of the powers and
authority conferred may be exercised
by designated agent"
Thomas E. Lodge, chairman Of the
Laws and Legislation Committee, pre-
,sented q recommendation that the
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