Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-04-12
Spencer Backs
Daylight Saving
Time for D. T..
Urges Residents
To Voice Views
To City Heods

Commissioner Samuel Spencer
last night spoke out for daylight
saving time in the District and
urged residents to let the city
heads know how they feel about
it.
The new Commissioner spe-
officially expressed himself in
favor of the bill introduced by
Chairman Case of the Senate
District Committee and recently
passed by the Senate. The
measure would give the Com
miSSioners authority to order the
time change here each year if
they see fit, provided that any
two Of the cities of Baltimore,
Philadelphia and New York
adopt daylight" time as well.
Mr.. Spencer expressed his
sentiments in his first appear
ance on the weekly radio show.
The Commissioners Report"
carried by Station WWDC.
Recalls Straw Vote.
He recalled the unofficial straw
vote conducted here in 1850.
when residents voted three-to-
one in favor of daylight savinx
time.
There is no reason to believe
that this overwhelmingly senti-
ment has changed since that
year." the Commissioner added.
A Neutrality-suspicious. citizen him.
self, Mr.. Spencer indicated that
he Is as weary of the yearly Con-
gressional hassle over daylight
time as the average citizen.
And of the Case bill, he de-
clared it excellent and said it
carries out the desires of the
great majority of the people of
the District.
To get the public feeling across
to Congress. Commissioner
Spencer invited residents to ex-
press their views to the citv
heads, who in turn will compile
the results and notify Chairman
Simpson of the House District
Committee.
Speedy Action Necessary.
He warned that speedy action
is required since the House is
due to act on the Case measure
before April 26 when daylight
saving time goes into effect in
many areas throughout the
country.
interviewed by neWspapermen,
commissioner Spencer made
! these observations on current
District matters:
/ l. The 1897 million public
works improvement program for
the city is not yet ready to be
given the general public for its
mass support. Speaking further
OF the big spending program. Mr..
Spencer declared that while he
approves the economy goal of
the Republican National Ad-
miniStration, he also favors the
public works program for the
Nations Capital.
You should economic where
economy is needed, but YOU
should spend money in other
places where there is an urgent
need" he asserted.
2. After conferences with Po-
lice Chief Robert V. Murray. he
Is satisfied that the increase in
the crime rate during 1852 has
"leveled off," and that the DO
lice force is acting more eff
tlclently all the time" He also
favors the police and firemen pay
raise proposal since it will make
a tremendous difference in
morale"
3. Asked whether the politi.
cal change of administration
Will mean that long time city
government office-holders will
be removed, Mr.. Spencer noted
that these jobs have not been
subject to many political APP
polntments in the past. Most.
instead, he added, have been on
the basis of merit.
Breakfasts to Continue.
"A great many District gov.
eminent employees are non.
political-after all, they're nom
voting District residents" he
said.
The radio listeners were also
told that the weekly series.
started last year by former Com
missioner F.. Joseph Donohue,
will continue indefinitely. The
formal. however, will be changed
slightly, so that all three Com
mlssioners will appear in regu-
lar rotation. Occasionally, de-
partment heads will speak on
problems of their agencies. The
goal, Mr.. Spencer said, is to get
the public better acquainted
with all the Commissioners as
we'll as some Of their top adj
miniStrotOrc