The Washington times., 1905-01-05
Congress as a Partner.

Congress will decide within the
next two months the fate of the per-
nlanent improvements for the District
OF Columbia which it has planned
OF has already authorized. It must
choose between abandoning them alto
gether delaying them for at least a
year, and providing funds to COM
plete them.
Abandonment means the loss OF
over $4,000 600 in money. Delay
means in the end the loss of the
same sum. And either abandonment
or delay involves the loss to the Dis
trict of Columbia OF a. sewage-disposal
system almost finished; District
building adequate to the District
needs. and as good TO look at as
the public buildings Of fiood-swept
Galveston or the sleepy old State capt.
tai OF Alabama; the construction OF
railway terminals worthy OF the work
done by the railroads; the elimination
of fatal grade crossings; the compile
ton of the Connecticut Avenue
Bridge: the construction of ap-
breaches to the Highway Bridge, and
the erection OF safe bridge TO Ana
costa. All these items hang in the
balance.
If Congress decides to provide sfhe
money to complete these improve
ments it must DO it in one OF two
ways-either by making the District
a loan from the Treasury, which viii
correspond with money obtained II
other cities by the issue OF bonds;
or by withdrawing s5,50o,o00 from the
current revenues of the District.
The one course enables the District
government not to adapt itself t
the growth of the city, but to continue
on its present basis The other mean:
a curtailment by more than twelve pc
cent Of the allowances to all the de
partments OF the local government
such as the public schools, the polio
service, and the sewer department.
On any fair examination of the cas-
it would seem there was only on
course to adopt. Congress is respon
sible for the District of Columbia
Other communities may act for them
selves. But the National Capital ca
act only through the national 1egis
Iature. And Cohgress, substitutin
its own Judgment for that OF tn
most-trusted citizens of the Districl
assumes the responsibility to guar
the District as its mo5t-tTusted cit
zeRs would guard it.
The Times is far from satisfe
that Congress viii even view thi
crisis with clear eyes. On tn
contrary, the House is confusing th
issue because it resents the actio
CT the Senate in organizing an
equippiHg the Burnham Park Com
mission. And both houses, perceivin
tsse need for retrenchment on nationf
expenditures, have involved the cred
OF the District in a general parin
process which ought not of rigf
touch the District Of Columbia at al
The people of Washington have ha
no part III the reduction OF the Treas
ury surplus. They have paid the
taxes just the same. Their municipi
needs have continued just the sam
And they have. every right of q
honest partnership to spend their ow
money for the good of the partnershi
and to expect full cooperation frol
their self-chosen partner
Even this outlook does not discou
age the District over its partnershi
Congress has acted, on the Who'll
q. with farsfght and liberality b
Congress ought to reflect while
considers the Districts petition K
n loan TO finance these improvement
as they would be financed in any 9th
city in the country, that if the Natiol
al Government paid it's share OF Il
municipal expenses by direct taxatio
the District could meet its own neet
without single days delay.