Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-12
The House District Committee.

The capitals new board of aldermen.
otherwise known the House committee
on the District of Columbia. comprises ten
members who have had past experience IN
this work and eight who are new to H. Ihe
ten who hold over on the committee from
the previous Congress, through re-election
and reappointment. are all well versed IN
the peculiar task of framing local legisla-
ton, headed by Chairman Babcock, VINO
is now entering upon his sixth consecutive
term In this capacity, having been named
as the District chairman in December 1880
In that stretch of years Mr.. Babcock has
become thoroughly familiar with every de-
tail of the capitals needs and limitations,
and he is well supported by such members
as Mr.. Allen. Mr.. Smith, Mr. Sims and MT
Meyer, who are veterans in the work.
The new members of the committee have
yet to demonstrate their interest in the
work of developing Washington to its
proper stature. Some of them have served
previously in the House and have voted on
local questions. Others come into Con-
gress for the first time this year and have
yet to grasp the peculiar conditions which
obtain in ell matters relative to the ma
tional capital in its relations to the federal
government 1t is not to be feared that
score so long as the committee Is domi-
mated by members who have served in this
capacity in the past. And all reports OF
the new members are TO the effect that they
are progressive active men, who are likely
to become excellent workers for the good or
the District -
This committee Is perhaps the least parti-
san of all of the suborganizations of the
House 1t deals exclusively with municipal
questions, which can not well be stretched
into any political aspect The chief point
that is always to be borne in mind by these
eighteen men Is that the District Is the
city of the whole nation, and that because
It Is the seat of government is no reason
why IL should be regarded as the center OF
a political administration, The people OF
all the states of all political compilations,
visit the capital and are proud of it. THANKS
to the workings of the civil service law the
great body of government employees is non
partisan in character. Republicans ana
democrats forget all their differences when
the welfare of the District is at stake.
: Although the chief questions at present
pending before Congress affecting the Dis
trict's interests fall to the appropriations
committees for adjustment, the District
committees have nevertheless much work
to do that makes for the city's advance
ment If it is undertaken and pressed IN
the true capital-making spirit. As long as
this division of authority continues there
must be a working harmony between the
two committees; and the members of the
District committee, upon making them
selves familiar with the various issues at
stake with the history of the national cap
itaI. with it's many requirements and with
the complex situation which has resulted
from the peculiar fiscal legislation OF the
past few years. have wide opportunity
for advancing the work of capital develop
ment not only by direct legislation but py
cooperating with the citizens of Washlng-
ton in securing appropriations for needed
objects and in proper terms.