Evening star., 1940-03-07
Reorganization
CONTINUED From First PaRe.)

the following letter to Chairman
Randolph of the House District
Committee:
Having observed criticisms that
have been made Of the members OF
the Board of Commissioners in
hearings before the District Com
mittee and subcommittees thereof,
I deem 1t my civic duty to write you
and say that in my opinion the
present Board Of Commissioners are
able executives and have given an
excellent administration Of their
offices.
In my ~ years residence in
Washington I have never known a
Board Of Commissioners more faith
fully devoted to the interests of the
District and its citizens. They have
administered the affairs of the mu-
nicipality ably, honestly and with
high efficiency, and I have for them
the greatest respect, regardless OF
any difference Of opinion that I may
have upon any particular political or
civic issue.
1T would give me pleasure to come
before your committee and person.
ally testify In support OF President
Hazen, Col. McCoach and Commits
sioner Allen, but have to be In New
York on legal business for the next
two days."
Cox Lauds City Heads.
Gen. Albert l.. Cox, head Of the
District National Guard, who
spoke as an individual, declared the
present form of government was
excellent" He emphasized that in
81 years Of the use Of the present
form there had been no suggestion
of scandal-"and that hardly can be
said Of other Cities" he added.
Gen. Cox said he had utmost
confidence" in the commission form
and its officials. He declared the
District personnel was qualified
by experience and makes every
effort to make the city government
the best possible"
Edgar Morris, past president of
the Board of Trade and member
Of the Board of Public Welfare,
also supported the present form of
government and praised the Com
missioners.
Another who championed the
Commissioners was L. Gardner
Moore, president Of the District Ho-
tel Association, who declared WASH
ington is as well run as any city in
the United States and better than
many.
Herbert Willett, director of the
Washington Community Chest. and
Thomas p. Morgan, former chair
man Of the Budget Committee Of
the Chest, Joined in supporting the
city heads.
An outright attack on the suf-
frage came from Rufus S. Lusk,
speaking for the washington Tax
payers Association, who declared
he vas violently" opposed to elec-
ton Of local officials. However, he
is an advocate Of substituting q city
manager-city council plan for the
Board Of Commissioners. He said
the council members should be ap-
pointed by the President.
Criticixes Witnesses.
Mr.. Lusk criticized witnesses heard
yesterday who urged that suffrage
be granted but who insisted that
Congress should retain final con-
troll over taxes and budgets and for
bid use Of bonded debt to provide
public improvements.
"They want suffrage-with strings
attached" he said. IT they got
that, - what essential difference
would there be? I can't see any"
Taking another slap at suffrage
advocates, Mr.. Lusk said they had
declared health conditions here
would be improved II the vote were
granted.
There is no magic that will i'm
prove the public health, except more
money" he declared.
He also attacked Harry 8. Wender.
vice president Of the Federation Of
Citizens Associations, for suggest
ing, as his personal view, that Wash
ington residents would be willing to