Evening star., 1935-02-24

nae local taxpayers UeTe proposed.
The JolloWing tnterpretdttDe article
on the proposal ,UdS prepared
especially for The Star.
BY GEORGE E. SULLIVAN.
Chairman. Special Committee on Reorgani;;
cation of District Government, appointed
by Citizens Federation.
The proposal for establishment of
an elective council in the District,
with wholly administrative functions.
mainly of an advisory character,
emanated a week ago from the Spe-
cial Committee on Reorganization of
the District Government appointed
by the Federation of Citizens ASsoci-
ations nearly year ago
The advocates of such a council
claim it will not only harmonize per-
fectly with our Commission form of
District Government, but will make
the latter much more efficient and
satisfactory. Such a council must
necessarily be unique In character. to
harmonic with our unique Commis-
sion system of Municipal Government.
It should be noted that members of
the committee, proposing this council,
are citizens who have spent much OF
their lives on behalf of the welfare
Of the community.
Not a Substitute Plan.
The thoroughness of the study
given by the said Special Committee,
and the practical and constructive
nature of the proposal emanating
therefrom, is manifest from the fact
that it is in no sense a substitute
for either National Representation or
the Commission Form of Municipal
Government for the District of Co.
lumbia, both of which also are ad-
vocated by the committee. When the
proposal is clearly understood. it
will be seen that it furnishes an i'm
portant key to a variety OF perpleX-
ing problems in the executive or ad-
ministrative departments of our Mu-
nicipal Government, and yet without
interfering with or controlling those
departments, and also without any
control by the proposed council over
the expenditure of funds or over
patronage.
Membership Limited.
Since the council would be de-
Lucrative administrative body, it
should, of course, have a limited
membership capable of functioning
efficiently for the purpose. 1t will
probably be decided that a member
ship of not less than five, nor more
than Is, could function most effici-
emily in such a council The pri
mary purpose of the council is, Of
course, TO promote and advance the
welfare and common good of the
local citizenry through increased fair
play and efficiency in our Municipal
Government. Consequently. its men,
bership should include only civic
minded persons of high character and
well-known ability, and without con-
nection of any kind with selfish inter-
ests, because every one must recognize
the real and genuine citizenship mat
ters requiring the whole hearted and
undivided attention of the council
could not be handled by persons of
lesser caliber or having the slightest
conflict between public duty and
private interest.
Nomination Power Outlined.
The proposal that the council be
to suggest or nominate
one member of the Board of District
Commissioners and one member of
the Public Utilities Commission, sub
ject to the Senate's confirmation, is
certainly modest one. The Federal
Government still will control, through
the Senate, all nominees for all three
positions upon each of said bodies,
and the President still will nominate
two members upon each body. 1t is
inconceivable that any one should
begrudge the citizers of this District,
who pay SiX-SeventhS of the cost of
of the Nations Capital,
the limited recognition proposed.
Appoint Special Boards.
The proposal that the council ap-
point the members of the Board OF
Education, and other bodies of an
essentially local and civic nature, un-
deniably is in accord with the funda-
mental principles of democracy. OBJ
viously, the filling Of the position of
peoples counsel should be treated
in like manner. The peoples chosen
(the proposed counciD
are surely in a better position to
select the peoples counsel than are
others having no responsibility to the
people.
1t may be thought by some that
the peoples counsel should be elected
directly by the people; but my judg-
ment is that his selection by the peo-
Plies chosen representatives. of the
special ability and opportunities
which the council would possess,
would enable better selection for a
position requiring such technical
knowledge and attainments, and
that it would make avail
able persons of exceptional qualifi-
cations who could not possibly be in
duced to seek the Office.
1t goes without saying that no
council elected by the people would
dare appoint to the Office of peoples
counsel any one other than Jealous
advocate in behalf Of the peoples
rights. 1t is at once apparent that,
for the same reasons that apply to
the peoples counsel, the selection
Of the members of the Board Of Ed
ucation should be by an elected
council, rather than by direct elec-
ton.
Budget Recommendations.
One Of the most important pro-
posals is that the council have
authority to propose or oppose, in
suggestive way, items in District ap-
bills, at any stage Of the
thereof. before the
Board of District Commissioners, the
Budget Bureau, or the Appropriation
Committees of Congress. This would
enable the real needs of the District
to be properly explained and pressed.
AS it is now, none of the departments
or boards of the District government
are permitted to say anything before
the Appropriation Committees of
Congress regarding omitted items,
however vital and pressing, unless
first requested so to do. Items
omitted at the District Building never
reach the Budget Bureau for its con-