Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-04
STREET EXTENS SION
UNITED STATES SHOULD BEAR A
PART OF THE COST.

To the Editor of The Star:
more just and equitable bill than that
Just reported favorably by the House com
mittee on the District OF Columbia and
regulating the opening and extension OF
streets in the District was never presented
to Congress for its action. In 1874 Com
gress decreed that the District should be
under the exclusive control of Congress, In
fact as well as in name, and deprived the
people of all voice in their government.
Since that time every dollar of the reve-
nues OF the District has been turned over
to the United States, and Congress has
directed when and what improvements
should be made, what amount should be
paid for them. and that the money should
be disbursed by its own appointees, that is,
py appointees of the national government.
Even now not single street can be oneued
or extended unless by direction and under
authority of Congress first obtained
Because OF this absolute control and
direction exercised by Congress over every
thing done, and because of exemption of all
government buildings and property from
taxation, and which exceeds 81 per cent OF
the taxable property in the District and is
on the increase every year, Congress pro-
vided that one-half of all expenses of the
District government should be borne by the
United States and one-half by the District
of Columbia. This, under the act estab-
fishing the present form of government, APP
piled to the opening of streets as well as
to all other expenses, and the organic law
has never been changed. For a time Con-
gress complied fully with the law, but for
some years has excepted the opening OF
streets by providing in every street extern
sion bill that the entire cost shall be borne
wholly by the owners of the property and
out of the revenues of the District alone
Why the law and the original practice
should be departed from no reason appeal
Ing the of common iusftca and
right has ever been or can be given. If
there is a good reason for the United States
paying one-half of any of the expense of
developing and maintaining the national
capital, over which it insists exercising
absolute and exclusive control In every
thing pertaining to 1t, there is better
reason why it should bear half the ex-
pense of opening streets and avenues which
IL orders to be opened, because when the
streets are opened the title to the land ac-
qured for the purpose vests absolutely and
Internationally in the United States and
not in the District of Columbia.
The United States thus acquires title to
land for which 1t pays not one penny. but
which is paid for by the owners of the
land and by the people of the District of
Columbia alone. Where can be found an
other instance of the United States taking
property and having the title vested ex-
ciusiveIy In itself without paying anything
for 1t? Even If the form of our local gov
eminent should be changed the title to
the land forming the streets. and exciu-
in the United States just as was the case
before the present form of government was
established by Congress.
THE committee on the District of Column
hia at the present House of Representatives
has. upon fun and impartial investigation,
found this TO be the case, and as the result
Of its labors has framed the present Din,
which ii has recommended should be enact
ed into law Under this bill the owners OF
the land on each side of and adjacent to
the street opened or extended are required
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