Evening star., 1943-05-06
'Hebert Offers
Bill 10 Widen
Powers Of D. {.
Broodens Authority
Of Commissioners
In Many Directions

Representative Hebert, Democrat,
OF Louisiana today introduced the
first of a series of bills to streamline
the District government by concen-
trating authority in the District
Commissioners over many activities
which now are conducted by indie
pendent boards.
The bill would give the Commits
sioners discretionary authority with
respect to seven types of activity,
Mr.. Hebert explained.
l. 1t would authorize the Commits
sioners to waive payment by persons
in the military service of annual fees
required for retaining or renewing
license or permit to practice any
profession. Mr.. Hebert pointed out
that 1T is undoubtedly hardship
upon many members of the armed
forces to be required to pay these
fees in order to preserve the valuable
rights which they will not be exer-
cising but which they will wish to
resume upon their return to civilian
life"
Could Require Bonds.
2. The Commissioners would be
authorized to make and enforce
regulations requiring persons, other
than utility companies, to furnish
bonds for performance of their work
in accordance with laws and regu-
lations in force in the District. Mr..
Hebert said that most frequent COM
plants concern plumbing, gas fit
ting, heating, ventilating, air condi-
tioning, mechanical refrigerating
and electrical businesses.
3. The Commissioners would be
authorized to rent buildings. land
or personal property owned by the
District when not at the time
needed for the purpose for which
acquired.
4. The bill would authorize the
Commissioners to grant revokable
permits upon such conditions and
bonds or rentals as they may impose
for the construction of tunnels, the
laying of conduits and pipes in al
leys, streets and avenues
Suspend Employees.
5. The Commissioners would be
authorized to suspend, with or with
out pay. officers or employees ap-
pointed by them and to delegate
the power of suspension to their
Subordinates Mr.. Herbert said that
in view of the manpoWer situation
some disciplinary measures short of
dismissal are needed and that, to
be effective, discipline must be
promptly administered by the imme-
diate superior. The suspension
measures would. he emphasized, be
subject to review by the Commits
sioners.
6. The Commissioners would be
authorized to name and change the
names of highways. bridges, build
ings or other places under their
jurisdiction. At present they can
only change street names where
there is duplication.
7. The Commissioners would be
authorized to fix and collect fees for
copies OF orders and regulations, per-
mits. certificates and transcripts of
records furnished by the District to
the public for which specific author
lty has not heretofore been granted
8. Authority would be given the
Commissioners to prescribe penal
ties. not exceeding fine of $500 or
imprisonment for 80 days, for vio-
lation of regulations authorized in
the bill. These are the limits Gus
tomarily provided for violations Of
municipal regulations and would NOT
necessitate jury trials for those
charged with violations.
The Hebert bill also proposed to
grant the Commissioners authority
to appoint District employees as
contracting officers to act on be-
half of the District.