Evening star., 1943-08-15
Civic Problems, Civic Bodies
Peoples Counsel Vacancy;
Some Requirements for Clean City
BY JESSE c. sUTER.


BY JESSE c. sUTER.
No Peoples Counsel-But Discussion and Candidates
The people the unrepresented District
Columbia affiliated with Associations
through membership in its constituent organizations
hopefully naming peoples indication
that the President will heed the
1t thought that action
as the vacancy existed prior the
reason recess appointment might be in order.
No word has been heard from the Attorney General
question filling referred by the President
Editorial discussion the local activity
candidates for the appointment have kept interest alive despite
Attorney
Austin Lamer former Special Assistant the
master General James W. Lauderdae assistant corporation
counsel and Harry Wend president of the Federation Of
Citizens Associations its candidates for the office under
stood that campaigns definitely under way In support OF
other candidates.
general favored the i'm
plain requirement public utilities law. However
regarding the filling of the ONCE
debatabe question: thereby indicating doubt as to the need ana
usefulness of a peoples counsel
One the papers opposition to the
tnuaon of its conviction that the Public
Utilities and maintained for the purpose
solely protecting the public The other editorial attitude though
expressed milde FORM reflects somewhat similar idea
organized cizeny especially those who nave closely
studied public somewhat different concep
ton of the commission They recognize in the COM
While they conceoe tnat 1ne coniliss was was S. ~ " t.r
operated public interest they consider the duty to be 1
both to the to the public which they serve
regard fundamental requirement nat puoc ut'es "
both If the public to be served sa
public required to that they be maintained
healthy financial condition .
Throuehout the public the commission, in most
instances required to hold public hearings before issuing m
orders is keep complete record made up OF seno
graphic report testimony presented at hearings "
required be based upon the
The law provides appeals questions of law from orders
Of the commission Findings of fact by the commission the law re-
cards as shall that such nndlng OF tne
unreasonable arbitrary or capriciou ,
Appeals orders of the commission are to the Dsrco
Court of the the District OF Columbia ana are OH
the record The law provides ANY such
appeal the record before the anu
additional evidence shall be received oy te saio
The said court or any Justice thereof before whom any
such appeal heard require and direct the
evidence any subject reiateo n ISSUES
on said appeal concerning evidence Improperly
hearing before the commission or upon WHICH e io "'
contain no substantial evidence .,
The law also provides for appeal to the United
states Court of Appeals the District of Columbia from ne
District and for review by the Supreme Court OF e
in its discretion 49,.
The citizen organizations, upon nsisten demand the
rrovsion for peoples counsel included in the Public Utilities
A recognized need for such legal throughout the various
stages before the commission and the
possible representation before the various courts
through might have to travel
Their experience prior creation the present called
commission and the office of peoples counsel
before original Public Utilities Commission composed OF the
District Experience had brought to them the real
zaon when the orders of the commission were in the
entirely contrary to the public interest
that time that in such instances the Com
competent representatives and advocates OF the
appeal proceedings from their decision Ihe organized
citizens today maintain the same attitude.
groups believe that through the assistance of the
of time the part of the commission
simplifying Regular attendance at hearings before
citizens before the commits
poorly prepared from different neghbohoods
which largely cumulative and incomplete
able peoples counsel who has the confidence
active cvcmnded people generally referred to Jonn
the evidence number of
individuals whip into effective shape for
entation the commission.
Citizen that continuing to demand compliance with
provision the appointment of
Piles there plenty work public utilities
matters require his full time.
City Refuse Division Needs Public Cooperation
problem being vigorously attacked
despite its lack and funds
cooperation the OF the
public with the responsibility
preventing terng highways and parks of the Ma
tional Capital.
sidewalks
material which should the refuse boxes
storekeepes and househoders could help mmeasurably
would the trash from their premises into the
could help lot by putting old
paper provided by the
instead of scattering them in the streets
help would throwing the
which bundles Of newspapers in the street
police could by being alert in the detection OF
the sidewalks streets and parks
Finally this brief list of factors of this problem is incom
pee imposition of suitable
oleny by policemen encourage police
E1 HOUSEWIVES g
<AAH/L<QF NXI