Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-15

forth. paid by the people of the District
of Columbia. At the date last named there
was appropriated $1,000 wholly from the
District revenues for the establishment of
a public bathing beach This was the first
departure from the provisions of the law
in making appropriations. Since then more
or less has been appropriated in a similar
fashion. all OF which. in my Judgment,
should have been made in accordance with
the law of 1878. This deviation from the
principle of the organic act, which, begin
ming nine year ago, has gradually been in
creasing In volume, has added a charge
upon the people of the District Of Columbia
which is not warranted by the letter and
spirit of the law or by justice. 1t is ap-
parent that a continuation in such a course
will result that the provisions of the law
for the expenses to be borne equally by
the national government and by the people
of the District will be very largely, if not
entirely, ignored
''As l said above, in my opinion, the Dis
trict Commissioners and citizens should
Tot propose or assent to Congress
making such appropriations and thereby
depart from the law and the equities in
voived. There are no improvements or
needs however desirable or important to
the District that should be secured by con-
senting to an appropriation made wholly
out of the revenues of the District Street
extension had better never be authorized
than to provide the whole of the expense
necessary therefor out of the revenues of
the District.
Lack of Information.
I'm my opinion. if Congress had since
1891 been as well informed as to the merits
of the equal divisions of expenses between
the national and local governments as Con-
gress was informed on that question in 1878
the departure in making appropria tons and
paying any of the municipal expenses
wholly from the revenues of the District
would never have been authorized. 1 do
not believe tina. members of Congress de-
sire or wish knowingly to do the people of
the District Of Columbia the least injustice
They do not desire that the citizens of the
District, in my judgment, shall pay more
than fair, lawful share of the expenses
and that in acting as they have, however
mistaken l believe their course to have
been, at the same time 1 believe that they
thought they We're only properly performing
their duty.
Congress having full and absolute iuris
diction over the District in all matters re-
lating to government, the people of the Dis
tr1ct do not desire Congress to accord them
In this or any other matters anything more
than reasonably just treatment. They have
no means Of influencing legislation relating
to the District and their interests. except in
giving expression to their private opinions
and in appeals. as they are wholly depen-
dent upon the will and decision of the ma
tional legislature.
AT the present time believe that 1t is
the duty of the Commissioners, the board
of trade and the citizens generally to make
IL manifest to Congress In an earnest clear
and respectful manner that no appropria-
tions for any purpose are desirable other
than those made in accordance with the
law of June II, 1873, requiring the payment
OF 90 per centum each by the general gov
ernment and by the people of the District
Mr.. Babcock's Views.
Chairman Babcock of the House Dis
trict committee today received commu-
nication from the District Commissioners
setting forth the figures of the impending
deficit in the District revenues The Com
missfoners suggested no remedy, but stated
that the deficit was occasioned by the
street extension acts passed by Congress.
The figures We're the same as those con-
,ained in the statement published in The
Star yesterday.
'While l think that the. Commissioners
are unduly alarmed said Mr.. .Babcock to
a Star reporter, and the deficit will not
be so large they fear, see one certain
result of their communication. There will
be no more street extension bills passed at
this session. Their communication will
have the effect of effectually stopping fur
ther proceedings in this direction"
Mr.. Babcock said he had not considered
the question Of relieving the deficit as 1t
had not been brought to his attention