Evening star., 1953-05-14
Spencer and Donohue
Honored al Dinner
For District Work

Commissioner Samuel Spencer
and his predecessor, F. Joseph
Donohue, were honored by 750
persons at a testimonial dinner
held in the Hotel Statler last
night.
Mr.. Spencer promised the civic
leaders present that, as president
of the Board of Commissioners,
he would do everything he could
to give District residents an hon.
est, efficient and economical gov
eminent. He added that he
hoped every District taxpayer
would get 100 cents to the dol
lar"
Federal Share Sought.
Mr.. Spencer declared that ef-
forts also will be directed to get
the Federal Government to pay
"itS fair share" in running the
city.
He also spoke of the ultimate
benefits of reorganization of the
city government. He said ef-
ficiency, effectiveness and econ
ony will result. But, he added.
citizens should not expect
too much in elimination of waste,
because the District government
never was overstaffed in the first
place, as are some Federal
agencies"
Mr.. Donohue, who was round
ly applauded. pointed out that
District residents pay more in
taxes than those in a total of IS
States. yet the people here "are
too often forgotten and aban-
doned by their fellow Ameri-
cans"
He said Commissioner Spen-
Ger. as chairman of the Board
of Commissioners, was not called
to their recent conference of
Governors. even though the Dis
trict has a greater population
than 13 States and four of the
Territories.
I'VE are largely neglected and
abandoned, in a measure through
our own fault" he commented.
1--WE must make the District of
Columbia known to all Ameri-
cans"
Cites Three Problems.
He mentioned three specific
problems the District must solve
in the future:
/. Eliminating of the "haphaZ-
ard system" of the Federal Gov
ernment's contribution of a lump
sum. and returning to "the his
toric method" of a fixed per-
centage method. based on such
things as Federal responsibility,
land ownership and service rem
dered by the District to the Fed
eral Government.
2. Solving the rapid deterio-
ration" of the downtown area,
insofar as sanitation and sewage
facilities are concerned. He also
spoke of additional health, ed
ucational and welfare needs.
And then he said: I'VE must
break the flight of high income
families to adjacent areas"
3. Carrying out the mandate
of Congress in respect to re-
organization.
Mr.. Donohue and Mr.. Spencer
also were eulogized by Col. L.
Corrin Strong, prominent Re-
publican and civic leader, and
Judge Edward M. Curran of the
u. S. District Court for the Dis
trict of Columbia.
Col, Strong pointed out that
Mr.. Spencer's record speaks for
ITSELF" and time will prove what
a wise choice President Eisen-
hover made in naming him
Commissioner.
DOnOhue Is Praised.
Judge Curran said of Mr..
Donohue: II know of no public
servant who has more interest
in the social security, general
happiness and the improvement
of the people than Jiggs Dono-
hue"
Mr.. Donohue was presented
with a f1ve-piece sterling silver
set, and a sterling silver tray by
the citizens. He also received a
glass bowl from the March of
Dimes Committee for his work
in connection with polio, and a
medal from the National Con-
ference of Christians and Jews.
In addition, a testimonial cita-
ton was presented to him.
E. D. Merrill, president of the
Citizens Committee, made the
presentation. Among the guests
were Commissioner Renah F.
Camalier, and Brig. Gen. Louis
w. Prentiss, Engineer Commits
Sloner.