Evening star., 1943-01-24
Civic Problems, Civic Bodies
Voteless Districts Legislature;
Peoples Counsel a Statutory Office
Our National State and Local Legislature
BY JESSE c. SUTER.

Our National, State and Local LEGISLATURE
With the Seventy its way toward
organization the national legislature
less citizens of the soon start predicted
long hard grind Among the 100 legislators Congress
there are believed to be who did realize elected
@ very po[tah' Ieaon they bear to the citizens of the Dis
trt OF Columbia They did visualize involuntary
constituents they would have at the National Capital
part in their election
The Constitution of the States nevertheless gives
these legislators the imposes upon obligation
W exclusive Ieesalon IN all cases whatsoever over the
seat OF the Government of the United
Voteless citizens are the permanent residents.
The Congress has responsibility tremendous war job
with its ar-reachng ramihcations and the fctionng
the Federal Government But important duty of
gang exclusively for the diversified National Capital community
The regular routine requirements municipality to be
met THESE have been increased and complicated through
quent population
Congress to show sympathetic interest practical friendship in
the handling of the important problems National Capital
They are looking to Congress possible existing
nequies and nouites under the
stress prosecution of the These without
State ahaon entertain the kindly feeling toward the new
Congress and pledge their hearty every pos
be They believe that mutual interest their
legislators and these voteess constituents team
work between the Congress people District of colum
ba will produce results satisfactory O
These voteless citizens and will give
their support in manner not to be surpassed
other community for the winning of the
desire to become acquainted with their legislators
and House of Representatives. know known
The civic problems the numerous
and vital and civic organizations emphasizing
many OF these problems have intimate bearing the effort
Apparent Lack OF ID. u. Legislative Program.
far known, District legsla
tive program formulated by the local present
session of Congress number of
Congress assembled of them being which
adjournment of the seventy seventh Congress
The House of Representatives Committee
Columbia issued its final legislative calendar of the
Congress under date of December 81 1912 Illuminating
document showing the action and nacton bills relating
the District of Columbia referred to that
Scanning this groups
which failed to receive
by important civic and regarded
solution of important problems.
existing pressure questions
leaders believe
highly advantageous formulation of
modest legislative made of major items
certed action such it declared would
tendency the time of legislators District officials and civic
legislative program
necessity purpose
obtaining general support and to insure favorable action
by Congress
Existing Law Requires Appointing Peoples Counsel.
Federation
constituent bodies continued upon filling
Office peoples resignation
Roberts The revived recently
Commissioners last week the House District Committee
declaring that official would in the
municipal organization
Commissioners appear overlooked
completely that the Office of peoples
statutory Office that of District Commissioner
Public Utilities Commission Failure to appoint and failure of the
budget the statutory salary have repealed
The creating the Public Utilities
Office peoples passed
earnest the citizens and with the approval the District
Commissioners of that time.
Quoted the IA Stat 92ch 83) follows: There
shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice
the additional
known as the peoples counsel. who
" Shall represent and for the people of the District
Columbia at all hearings the all
proceedings involving the interests of of
service furnished by public utilities under the jurisdiction of the
commission.
"(2) Shall represent and for petitioners
before the commission the complaining matters
service; and
"3) May investigate the the charged
and the valuation of the properties of the public utilities
jurisdiction