Evening star., 1947-07-19
The District Commissioners

the hearing before Congressman Auchincloss
subcommittee of the House District Committee
have been very much interested in witnessing the
great reluctance on the part of different Gov
ernment officials to have matters, purely local
in character, taken frcm their jurisdiction and
placed under the control of our District Com
missioners.
Since have been president Of the Fedora
ton of Citizens Associations have naturally
come in contact with a great many Of our
citizenry. The most amazing thing to me has
been to find how few of our residents really
know how our city affairs are conducted. It is
believed that our three Commissioners, IN
general way are really our Mayor and Common
Council combined. How far from the truth!
In reality, our Federal Congress is our Common
Council and our Commissioners only have such
powers as Congress grants them. Congress
calls on them to make recommendations and
then disposes Of the proposals just as 1t pleases
This arrangement is far from satisfactory
and results in great many unnecessary hard
ships to all of our citizens. The Commissioners
at best are compelled to divide their authority
with many different bureaus and departments
of our National Government. OF course, when-
ever anything comes up that displeases some of
our residents, Immediately our Commissioners
are blamed for it because the people, believing
that they are our local heads, assume they must
be at fault. If one were to take the time and
trouble to look into the matter carefully, he
would find invariably that the Commissioners
are helpless in the matter.
The Commissioners are at all times trying to
persuade Congress to provide the things they
believe the majority of our citizens need, but the
final say has to come from Congress. If the
Commissioners succeed in getting things done
that meet popular acclaim, it Is accepted by the
citizenry generally without further thought, but
if Congress won't give in, then the Commission
ers are blamed by the people
T feel that all three of our Commissioners
are at all times working hard to give us the
best managed city in this country. 1t is no
easy task. All of us want all kinds of improve
ments in the way of more schools, recreational
facilities, parks, clean Streets etc. but when it
comes to paying for them, we do all we can to
avoid higher tax rates and special taxes OF all
kinds.
have always found the Commissioners ac-
cessble and ready to listen to all sound sug-
gestions They want to do the right thing. The
real trouble lies in so much divided authority
with no one left but the Commissioners to be
criticized when the final decision does not meet
popular favor.
People have the idea this is the best governed
city in the land because we have no serious
scandals to arouse the people but this Is far
from the truth Our present form Of Govern
ment divided as it is, means much duplication
in effort.
There is only one solution to all of this The
Commissioners, all men of high caliber, should
be given full and complete authority in all mat
ters that naturally fall within the jurisdiction
of the heads of municipality, and then should
be held strictly accountable for their acts. Then
the people should get behind our Commissioners,
recognizing them to be our leaders and spokes-
men, and should wholeheartedly cooperate
with them to make Washington the best gov
erned city anywhere. Why not present to Con-
gress our honest opinion as to what is wrong
with the District government? Why not petit
ton Congress to bring some order out Of chaos
by real reorganization of our municipal gov
ernment?
Frankly, I lose all patience in listening to
knockers who never have anything to con-
tribute but criticism. Let's change our tactics
and really do something worthwhile.
CLIFFORD H. NEWELL.
President, Federation of Citizens Associations