Evening star., 1943-10-10

prove the public service and opersta
TO the public convenience. Those rec
concentrations were not followed. n
is not too late TO follow them now.
1here are now in the District several
boards and commissions, operating prac-
tlcally as independent organizations
which test the qualifications of appli-
cants for professional and trade licenses
Inc functions of several of these oreani-
cations have definite relation to public
heaIth. Others have definite relation
10 business. 1t appears that those re-
!aung to health should be under the
general administrative supervision OF
the health officer. Those having a rela-
ton TO business should be under the
supervision Of the administrative officer
IN charge OF weights, measures and IL
cenSeS. Within the first group are:
Board Of Dental Examiners. Commission
OF Llcensure to Practice the Healing
Arts, Board of Pharmacy, Board Of Op-
tometry. Nurses Examining Board
Within the second group are: Real
Estate Commission. Boxing Commission.
Board Of Accountancy, Board of Steam
Engineers and Plumbing Board.
The consolidated department into
which should be brought all the func-
tons last named should, Of course, be in
charge OF capable administrative head.
man Of broad experience. sound juds-
ment and practical common sense. The
department should have an ADEQUATE
clerical staff to keep records in &C
cordance with best governmental prac-
uce and staff of highly qualified and
Wel-paid field investigators, trained In
business regulation. 10 see that the law
is fairly and justly enforced A system
should be inaugurated for mailing ap-
plications 10 concerns previously IL
censed similar to that now used by the
Department Of Vehicles and Traffic.
All licenses should be renewed within
the time required by law and enforce
ment Of the law requiring license from
new concerns before opening business
should be given attention Corporations
chartered elsewhere should be required
to secure permit before opening busi-
ness in the District in order that legal
service may be readily had by citizens
who may have a just claim for settle
ment Of grievances.
District License Law.
The District license law is perhaps
the most remarkable ge-podge of
phraseology which can be found in our
numerous statutes It is Sorelv in need
OF revision In many respects. Licenses
should not be used as basis for raising
revenue, but only as a means of regula-
tion. License fees should be small 50
as not to financially oppress any honest
person desiring to 60 In business.
Consolidation into one major depart
ment Of all municipal functions having
duties with respect to business regula-
ton would result in tremendous benefit
to the general public, would improve ad-
ministration and would relieve business
men of Washington of the annoyance
and difficulty of being forced to consult
several Offices regarding compliance with
various regulatory measures.
1t would also, If properly conducted,
do much toward freeing honorably con-
Quoted business from grossly unfair
competition to which 1t now is subjected
and would afford consumers much better
protection than Is now possible. What.
ever benefits consumers also dement's
honorable businessmen: their interests
are identical.