Evening star., 1939-02-06
D. C.. Reorganization Bill
Started on Way to Hearings
Bunkheud Turns Griffenhoeen Report
Over to Special House Committee

| COIAIlOl, dIAu Vic OU.ycdT dCCuluuld.
ton Of departments and boards.
That report resulted in no action.
I'm 1885 and 1896 our committee
in 10-volume analysis of the facts,
and in confidential recommended
ton to the chairmen of the legis-
lative committees, reported in sub
stance and indeed almost in the Ian
guage Of Mr.. Griffenhagen, that re-
organization of the District govern
ment was an economic necessity and
that departmental government un-
der a District administrator and
local legislative council should be
established. Again the forces of in
ertia and the politically sponsored
ring which so long has manipulated
District affairs were able to avoid
action. The national authorities
were preoccupied at the time with
the grave problems of the depres-
sion, and the second report was COW
cred with compliments and-with
dust!
Need For Adjustment.
"Now Mr.. Griffenhagen and his
associates Of acknowledged ability
concisely and forcefully present
their solution. most earnestly
hope that 1t will be supported in
Congress, in the civic associations
and by the press with such force and
determination that it cannot be
shunted aside.
with a city government practi-
cally insolvent although without
major debt, an immediate need for
the adjustment of serious inequali-
| ties in taxation, and with an awak-
ened public demand for govern
mental efficiency, the time for con-
tructive action is at hand"
'Mr. GrifIenhagen was not au-
thorized to address himself to po-
litical questions" continued Mr..
Roberts, but is was inevitable that
any honest man in making a thor
ough study would recognize the
need for a local legislative body
responsive and responsible to the
people Of the District of Columbia"
More Consideration for District.
Comparison of the Prettyman and
Griffenhagen reports shows that
apparently the former gave more
consideration to the local viewpoint
of citizens of the District of Co.
lumbia in several particulars than
does the new report.
In the first instance, the question
of a vote was definitely recon-
mended by the Prettyman report,
which said:
"A constitutional amendment per-
mitting representation of the Dis
trict in Congress by the two Senators
and proportionate representation,
according to population, in the
House of Representatives, together
with voting rights in presidential
elections is urged. " The prin-
ciple Of representation wherever
there is taxation is one of the funda-
mental principles Of the American
system Of government, too we'll
established to require comment. -
In respect to presidential elections,
there seems to be no logical reason
why so large number of American
citizens should be disfranchised by
reason of their mere residence at the
National Capital"
Components of Council.
The Prettyman report, which was
signed by 81 members of the COM
mittee, recommended that two of
the Representatives of the District
In the House, together with the three
Commissioners, constitute council
for the making of ordinances and
regulations for the District, and
that Congress delegate to such coun-
Gil such powers to the fullest extent
possible under the constitutional re-
striction that the legislative power
remain in Congress"
Three prominent agencies in the
District, which would be changed
by the new report, were left as they
are IN the Prettyman report-the
Public Utilities Commission, the
Board of Education and the Public
Library.
The Griffenhagen report would
change the present Public Utilities
Commission into a Department of
Public Utilities, for regulation of
gas, electric transportation and
other public utilities in the District.
It would be headed by director of
public utilities" with a board of
public utilities, which might be
called Commission"
The Prettyman report left the
Public Utilities Commission as it is.
Would Abolish Education Board.
The Griffenhagen report would
abolish the present Board of Educa-
ton and constitute a new depart
ment of education. The superin-
tendent of schools instead of being
appointed by the school board would
be named by the proposed District
administrator. The board itself now
Is selected by justices of the Dis
trict courts.
The Prettyman report left the
Board of Education as it is.
The committee recommended mo
change in the present appointment,
constitution or operation of the
Board of Education and the public
school system" THE present sys-
tem," explained the board, 'rhas
rendered efficient and satisfactory
service, and it is believed that the
public throughout the district is op-
posed to any material change in
organization. Furthermore, your
committee finds that in many mu-
inequalities, even under the city-man-
ager system, the board of education
and the public schools are separate
and apart from the remainder Of
the municipal government"
New Department Of Libraries.
The Grif1enhagen report would
set up a new department of libraries
with functions: Provision of circu-
lating and reference library facili-
ties for residents of the District" 1t
would be headed by q director of