Book Reviews: Administrative Problems in a Metropolitan Area: The National Capital Region. By GEDDES W. RUTHERFORD. (Chicago: Public Administration Service. 1952. Pp. xiv, 63. $2.50.)

• DOI: 10.1177/106591295200500456
• Date: 01 December 1952
• Published date: 01 December 1952
• Author: Donald R. Bowles
• Subject Matter: Articles

723
One of the most engaging chapters deals with the &dquo;pattern&dquo; of
California politics.
Direct legislation is singled out for more lengthy treatment, not only
because California has used the method somewhat extensively, but also
since widely publicized minority groups, such as the so-called &dquo;Ham and
Eggs&dquo; movement have sought gains through the initiative and referendum.
The book is indexed, and a short select bibliography appears at the
end of each chapter. There are some limitations to the work. The
section on the judiciary is confined to eight pages. There is no treatment
of law enforcement except the very general coverage in the chapters
on administration and the executive. However, the book succeeds in
providing the reader with &dquo;basic information needed for alert and active
citizenship&dquo; on California state and local government.
A. C. BRECKENRIDGE.
University of Nebraska.
Administrative Problems in a Metropolitan Area: The National Capital
Region. By GEDDES W. RUTHERFORD. (Chicago: Public Administra-
tion Service. 1952. Pp. xiv, 63. $2.50.)
Washington, D. C., the capital city of the nation, is also the central
city of the national capital region which includes the District of Columbia,
all of Arlington and part of Fairfax county, Virginia, as well as parts of
Montgomery and Prince Georges counties, Maryland. During the last
ten years the population of the area has increased 50.6 per cent. The
District of Columbia, including the city of Washington, increased only
20.3 per cent, while contiguous areas increased an average of approximately
-
115 per cent.
The grant of land from the states of Virginia and Maryland to
the federal government, known as the District of Columbia, was originally
ten miles square, and was for several years thought to be more than
adequate for all purposes of the federal government. Because the grant
was considered too generous, in 1846 the Arlington portion was returned
to the state of Virginia. Now, because...