Evening star., 1940-01-28
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

The Commissioners will be urged
this week by Chairman Randolph
OF the House District Committee to
make another last-minute revision
In their plan for reorganization of
the municipal governments 70 pro-
vide for an elective rather than an
appointed citizens advisory council.
Il feel that the change made by
the Commissioners to prevent the
ousting of DR.. George C. Ruhland
as health onicer shows that the
door Is not closed to them in doing
something else I believe is just as
important" declared Representa-
tive Randolph.
"An elective advisory council
would be a step forward and would
serve to give the voteless people of
the District at least partial and
direct representation in their own
government"
The reorganization plan proposed
paid advisory council of nine
members to be appointed by the
Commissioners. The council would
be required to report direct. to the
Commissioners on tax, budget and
legislative questions.
Reports to Congress Seen.
Representative Randolph, how
ever, said he believed the council
should not only be elected, but
should be required to submit re-
ports to the House and Senate Dis
trict Committee as well as to the
Commissioners.
Mr.. Randolph, who is sponsoring
resolution to give disfranchised
District residents both national rep
resentation and local suffrage, said !:
Il have no doubt that if the Com
missioners appointed their own Ad-
visory Council their selections would
be good ones. But in view of the
long fight and sincere effort put
forth by the people Of Washington
for at least share of participation
in their own government, I think the
Commissioners would desire an elec-
tive Advisory Council. 1t seems to
me the Commissioners would rec
ommend an elective council as a
service to themselves.
II believe, too, there would be q
better feeling between the residents
of the District and the governing
authorities If the Commissioners
would propose an elective Advisory
Council that would be more respon-
sive to the wishes of the people of
Washington than q council appoint
ed by them. And such a move by
the Commissioners would show an
attitude on their part to give some
thought to the overwhelming de-
mand in the District for suffrage" :"
To Put Request in Writing.
Mr.. Randolph said last night he
would put his request to the Com
missioners in writing and send it to
them in few days.
The first revision in the reorgan-
ization program of the Commission
ers was a provision which would
have meant the removal of Health
Oncer Ruhland. The new pro-
vision sets forth that in selecting q
new health oficer the Commis-
sioners may request the President
of the United States to designate
an ofIicer from the Medical Corps
of the Army, Navy or the United
States Public Health Service, "and
the President in his discretion may
designate such an ofncer who shall
during the time specified by the
President be health officer of the
District"
Chairman Kennedy Of the special
subcommittee on the House District
Committee in charge Of reorganiza-
ton legislation, plans to start pub
lie hearings on various proposals for
undermining the municipal govern
ment machine as soon as the re-
vised plan Of the Commissioners Is
received from the Budget Bureau.