Evening star., 1935-01-13
Powers Of Commissioners
Over Citizens Boards.

THE bill to broaden the powers
Of the Commissioners Of the
District of Columbia contin-
ues to occupy chief civic attention
because of the widespread objec-
ton to giving the Commissioners
broad powers for control of the
actions of semi-independent Dis
trict agencies. The opposition is
twofold-the civic bodies on the
one hand and the members Of
these boards on the other.
The Commissioners have an
nounced this bill is only in tenta-
tive form and will not be approved
and sent to Congress until after a
full hearing of the citizens. Such
hearing was originally announced
for Wednesday next. but it Is un-
derstOod that it will be held at a
later date to afford an opportunity
for action by the Federation Of
Citizens Associations.
The federation, at its last meet
ing, urged that the bill to en-
large the powers Of the Commits
Soners be held in allegiance pend
ing consideration of the proposed
reorganization of the District gov
ernment. A special committee,
headed by George E. Sullivan, Is
making a study of the various re-
organization proposals, but is not
ready to report.
Pra acticaIly all civic bodies meet
ing during the past week have
recorded their objection to curtail-
ing the powers of the several
boards. The members OF all of
these boards with the single ex-
ception of the Board of Education
are appointed by the Commission
ers. The Board of Education was
formerly appointed by the Com
missioners, but for many years has
been appointed by the justices of
the District Supreme Court.
Extensive hearings were held q
few years ago on a bill providing
for the election of the School Board
by popular vote, but the proposal
never got out Of committee. There
are certain powers over the School
Board now possessed by the Com
missioners which many of those
who are particularly interested in
the schools believe should be trans
ferred to that body. The Commits
sioners also have certain powers
over the other boards, but no veto
powers such as now sought.
In support Of their contention
for control of these boards the
Commissioners invoke the theory
Of a government Of well-balanced
centralized control and RESPONSE
biity. Opponents point out that
the activities in charge of these
boards are matters of vital interest
to the citizens and that they have
been well administered by these
unpaid groups Of public spirited
citizens. The opinion prevails that
these boards of citizens, as a rule,
can be depended upon to reflect the
desires of the voteless and unrepre-
sented citizens far more than our
politically selected Commissioners.
There may be some middle
ground upon which these divergent
views may be brought together, but
just what this may be has not yet
been discovered. Some feel that
this feature should be carried in Q
1eparate bill SO as not to delay non.
controversial items of the bill.
Public Utilities Commission
Handicapped BY Lack Of Funds.
Daddy crippled through lack Of
ID funds to employ adequate
personnel, the Public Utilities
Commission is unable to expedite
service to which citizens are fully
entitled. There Is every reason to
believe numerous benefits now
would be available but for the
unexpected cut in the allotment Of
funds during the current fiscal
year.
The Foxhar Community Citi-
1ens' Association at Its last meeting
voted to request the commission
to investigate gas rates in the Dis
trtct, rs compared with other cities
using natural gas. Other associa-
tions and individual leaders are
showing . deep interest in the
question Of rates charged our gas
consumers.
The commission has announced
that 1t has ordered an investtga-
ton Of the rates, regulations and
conditions Of service Of the local
gas companies. The commission
seeks to establish reduced rates By
permanent order without waiting
for the final determination Of the
valuation Of the companies.
Hearings on the valuations Of