The Washington times., 1902-04-20
Mr.. H. Phillips Memorializes
the District Committee.
MANY BURDENS IMPOSED
Caused by Proximity to District-Prob-
lens of Police Protection and Improve
ment of Public Highways Cited as
Reasons for Remuneration.

the District of Columbia has commun-
Gated to Congress his views on the Ques-
tion of restoration.
Mr.. Phillips statement is addressed to
the House Committee on the District of
Columbia, and is as follows:
In the year 1884, pursuant TO para
graph II. section S. article /, of the Fed
eral Constitution, Virginia ceded to the
United States a small area on the Po
tomac River TO form part of the perma
nent seat of the General Government. In
1S46 Congress passed an act cedng this
land back to Virginia, thus dismember
ing the established seat of government of
ten miles square. The portion returned
to Virginia was organized a separate
county, cnly one-fourteenth of the aver
age size of the counties of the State.
Burdensome Problems.
The problem of local police protection
and improvement of public highways in
this little county has Become difficult and
6urdensome on account of the disorder
and heavy travel incident to proximity TO
a large city.
In 1861, the War Department: and mill
tary forces again took practical posses
sion OF the county, building fortifications
on every conspicuous eminence within its
borders, and at the close of the war re-
tained the Custis estate OF eleven hundred
acres later paying for il and establishing
a great national cemetery, large mill
tary post. and a station of the Depart
ment of Agriculture, within It's borders.
The United States makes no contribution
to the expenses of the local government,
Notwithstanding its ownership OF o1e-
sixteenth of the area ana one-seventh OF
the property valuation Of the county.
THE suburbs of cities are peculiarly
subject to the presence OF unlawful per
sons who resort to sucn points for Illicit
liquor selling, gambling, and other disor-
derly conduct near public highways Es-
pecially is this observed on the SABBATH
day. The residents of Alexandria county
as a class are honorable intelligent, and
public spirited. The attorney fo- the
county is active and successful in prose-
cutting offenders brought to his attention,
and the judiciary resolute in sentencing
law breakers. The police force of this
small county, limited to a few men, re-
ceiving inadequate pay. cannot, however,
prevent disorderly persons entering the
county from the city of Washington, or
preserve order along the extensive river
front The history of municipal govern
difficult TO preserve near boundary lines
of city. Maiefactors constantly seek
such border for the commission OF unlaw
full acts, or TO escape the strong arm of
the law: hence cities are usually extend
ed far beyond the limits Of closelybuilt
houses. H.
Sanitary Protection Needed
Sanitary protection, equally important
to public welfare, requires that Alexan-
dria county should be restored TO The
District of Columbia. Disease is carried
to the limits of cities in deposits Of
waste material. not only communicating
springs and water courses used by un-
suspecting persons. but adding by exhala-
tion to the other impurities of city air
Fire protection in suburbs also makes an
extension of mrniciral limits desirable.
1t is also reasonable that cities con-
troll the maintenance of suburban parks |
and driveways, contributing to the health
and pleasure of its residents. The cir
cumscribed limits of walls and fortresses
observed in the history of feudal towns |
should he thus brushed aside by the ad |
vance of science and civilization. The |
principles applicable to the extension of |
cities generally become more important |
W hen the seat of government and capital |
of a nation are concerned.
alexandria county, there are important |
and practical reasons why it should be |
restored to the District Of Columbia. 1t |
was urged in behalf OF ceding part of the |
District of Columbia back to Virginia in |
1886, that the United States had no prop
erty or buildings in Alexandria county. |
New. we find the United States owns three
bridges across the river and in addition,
a large share of the lands buildings and
ether Improvements in the county, is the
property of the National Government
An instance of the necessity of police
protection occurred a few years ago.
Coxeys army came to Washington. They
were ordered from the city and came over |
to Alexandria County and camped, and
only moved when, upon application to the
Governor, a company OF troops bundled
the army, bag and baggage. across the
river. The executive officers OF the Gov
nrnment the judiciary, and members of
Congress pass over this unpoliced area
10 and from the Arlington National Gene
terry. If injury comes to any official of the
Government on the county highways from
some criminal or insane person the Gov
ernment is responsible for neglecting -
maintain jurisdiction imposed by the
The Legal Question.
at would seem, however, to be a proper
subject for judicial inquiry, whether
under the Federal Constitution. one or
two of the three principal branches OF
Government have power to ALLEVIATE a part |
Of the established seat of government
Tine War Department has built on the
county highways water mains. telegraph
md telephone lines, and pumping station
on land obtained for bridge approaches in
Alexandria county, without authority of
Virginia and without permission of the
owners of the fee OF the public highways, |
30 II Alexandria county is lawfully part |
of Virginia, the United States is a tres
passer without process of law or just
but If the Supreme Court
declares Alexandria county part Of the
District of Columbia, the Commissioners
II the District of Columbia may at once
provide for its police protection, and the
Government impro, erients are within the
legislative control Of Congress.
Congress has prohibited fishing at
,ertain times and in various methods
IN the waters of the Potomac, along the
district. II Alexandria county is part of
Virginia. such legislation is wholly IN |
warranted. and, notwithstanding such leg
station, Virginians have full riparian
.io5ts in the waters of the Potomac op-
,osIte Washington. subject only 10 Vir-
,inia laws.
jackson City has long been a menace
o the morals of Washington, but If the
of the boundary Of Mary
and and Virginia has any reasonable in
Jackson City is wholly in the
district. ard the Commissioners neglect
heir duties If they do not police Alex
,ndria Island, and abate stain on Wash
ngton city.
"copsiderinR the restoration of Alex |