Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-11-25

Congress is about to convene, and the people
Of the District should prepare to make con-
certed and forcible appeal to their legislature
for protection against threatened robbery OF
more than q million dollars. Washington
needs q wise Eberality on the part of its legis-
lators in disbursing the money derived from
taxpayers and from the United States to meet
the current wants of prosperous, growing
city; it needs also the judicious encourage
ment of special projects for the public
welfare, such for instance as the
removal of the long bridge and the building
Of a new local post Office; ana it counts upon
the impartial consideration by Congress in the
selection of worlds fair site of the weighty
arguments in favor of a national celebration at
the national capital Washington is directly
and seriously interested in the action which
Congress may take in respect to such matters
as those above suggested. but the most import
ant practical question Of all from the District
taxpayer to his legislature is: "what will Con-
gress do concerning the payment of the cost of
the abandoned aqueduct tunnel?'
The United States undertook in the first in
stance to extend the water-works system of the
capital as a national project at government ex-
pense. The nation had constructed the original
system, and the nation proposed to build the
extension, with no requirement, suggestion or
expectation that any part Of the cost would fall
upon the District. But after two years had
passed it occurred to the United States to re-
quire the water-takers of the District to shar
the cost of this extension, on the ground that
they would profit by the increased water-sup-
ply, and this requirement took the shape of
congressional legislation. The implied con-
sideration for this charge against the District
taxpayers has entirely failed. and the ex-
action based upon il should be cancelled.
The water supply has not been increased.
though the government has wasted millions.
through the misconduct of its agents, in dig
ging the tunnel, now abandoned The water
takers have not requested this work to be done
at the Districts expense, are not responsible in
the slightest degree either directly or through
their agents for the misconduct which rendered
the work worthless, and have not received any
benefit whatsoever from the work upon which
an implied contract to render compensation
can be based. 1t is within the power of the body
having exclusive Legislation in District affairs to
ruin every local taxpayer by exacting excessive
taxes and squandering the money. But will
Congress SO exercise this power that more
than million dollars will be wrung from the
District to pay for the expensive laundering
of the governments agents in work
begun originally as national pro-
ject, and over which the District has had at no
time the slightest control? The nation
through negligence, has been robbed Will it
in its turn rob the little District to meet losses
due solely to its own neglect? In most re-
quests from Washington to its legislators the
appeal is directed to their wise discretion. In
this case their sense of justice and honesty is
touched.