Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-11-06
Sey, finance
BY JESSE c. SUTER.


The Board of Commissioners
OF the District of Columbia is
experiencing difficulty in func-
tioning because of the continued
indisposition of Commissioner
Hazen. That conscientious off,
cial has forced himself to put in
some time at his Office, at
risk of his own health. The
board continues to consist of only
two members instead of the
three required by law.
Pedestrian control regulation
is a topic of absorbing interest
in civic circles. The organiza-
ton support of the proposal
has been materially increased
during the week. A committee
of District officials has been
named to make a careful study
of the problem and draft sug-
gested regulations for public
consideration and discussion.
The old problem of parking
regulations, particularly the
banning of all-night parking,
has come prominently to the
front through the suggestion of
the engineer Commissioner, 1t.
Col. David McCoach, that
longtime plan be devised for
definitely solving this problem.
The Colonel believes that it can
be solved and that those able to
own automobiles should be able
to provide garage or private
parking facilities for them. Mr..
Hazen is quoted as taking issue
with his colleague on this ques-
ton. Mr.. Hazen holds to the
idea that it cannot be done.
In this connection announce
ment has been made that the
long-looked-for parking meter
will be put into operation within
the next 10 days. The advocates
of this device believe that it's
operation will contribute toward
solving of the downtown parking
problem.
The hearing on the District
of Columbia 1910 budget was
begun last week before the
Bureau of the Budget. 1t will
probably require a month for
the various department heads of
the District government to JUS
tify the items as approved by
the District Commissioners.
The action of the Board of
Education and superintendent of
schools in adopting a new plan
for preliminary budget recon-
mendations is expected to meet
with hearty approval of the Or
gained citizenry. The new
procedure contemplates sys-
tematic cooperation between
the citizens organizations and
the board in preparing the major
budget items. The idea will be
for the superintendent to prepare
reports on various school needs
at intervals during the year.
These will be available for citi-
zens' discussion and recon.men-
dalton.
Another National Election
And the District a Bystander.
On Tuesday the Americans in
the States, who really believe
that they should go to the polls
and vote, will go to the appointed
places and deposit their ballots.
On that same day the voteless
and unrepresented de-American-
lied residents of the District of
Columbia will again be innocent
bystanders.
From one national election to
another the hope fingers in the
breast of many a loyal and pa
triotic Washingtonian that the
next time he will be permitted
to have a part in the choice of
those who will constitute his ma
tional and local legislature.
They also harbor the hope that
they may cast their vote for the
President and the Vice President
as we'll as for the Congress, which
exercises exclusive legislation, in
all cases whatsoever over them.
So many problems, both local
and national, of the District of
Columbia are bound up in the
denial of the residents of the
Capital from participation in the
councils of the Nation that the
removal of these political disa-
bilities is easily District problem
No. /. In the formulation of
legislative programs for the Dis
trict civic leaders, almost with
out exception, place District ma
tional representation at the top
of the list.
The organized citizenry of the
District is more united on this
than on any other proposal
affecting the District and has
petitioned Congress repeatedly
for relief from the humiliation
and handicap of being RESPONSE
BILE to and required to support
a government in which It has no
participation.
When Congress returns In
January with its influx of new
members District leaders will
once more urge favorable action
on proposals to amend the Con-
stitution so as to enable the Dis
trict to be recognized as a part
of the Nation. AS an incident
of this important civic task 1t
will be necessary to get acquaint-
ed with the freshmen" members
and see that they are informed
correctly regarding these disa.
bilities of the District. The