The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-30
Our CITY Fathers.


The Congressional Record which con-
tains the proceedings Of the House Of
Representatives for last Monday affords
some twenty pages of interesting reading
These pages are entirely devoted to legis-
lation affecting the District Of Columbia.
For this reason alone they are Of local
interest. but they present other considera-
lions which are worthy of attention.
We notice. first Of ALL the deep if not
always affectionate interest manifested
b. number Of Representatives in Dis
trict affairs. This Is TO be expected Of
Representatives Babcock, and Olcott. and
Campbell. of Kansas. and others who are
men.bers Of the House District Commit
tee, and who are, by reason Of their posi-
ton, properly to be regarded as our city
fathers. II is evident from the debate
that these members are more than super
ticially Interested in affairs relating TO
the District. It is apparent from the re-
plies made by them to almost numberless
inquiries that they have acquainted them
selves with the details of District prob
lens, and the fact that out Of twenty
one measures considered last Monday only
two We're not passed indicates that the
work of the committee is appreciated by
the House. In these two instances. one
bin was recommitted owing to disagree
ment as to its effect and the other should
possibly have been considered by a com
Enittee other than the one which deals
with District affairs. Some Of the pro
posed legislation was extremely impor-
tant, and all of it will meet with local
favor. excepting. possibly. the bin which
cOmpels the use of four-inch tires ON
wagons drawing more than 5000 pounds
II is interesting TO note. however, that
there are many members of Congress
who do not propose that the title OF city
father shall be borne exclusively by gem
tlemen upon the District Committee We
notice, for instance. q lively interest in
District legislation manifested By Mr..
Mann. II Illinois. MI Madden. Of the
same State; AR. Hepburn. Of Iowa. Mr..
Fitzgerald. OF New York. Mr. Williams.
OF Mississippi and others. Some Of these
members, Ike sir. Hepburn. have been
in Congress for so many years that they
regard Washington as a second home. and
they feel deep concern in all that per
tains 70 the welfare OF the city. Others.
perhaps, regard it as an anomaly 10 find
the National Congress engaged in enact
ing municipal legislation, and are thus
drawn into the discussion because Of its
very novelty; while still others. who have
had aldermanic experience at home, con
tribute their knowledge TO the solution OF
city problms. Whatever che reason. how
ever. there is some cause for thankful
ness that the Representatives in Con-
gress manifest interest in our affairs.
The District needs their enlightened as
sistance and ought to be the beneficiary
OF their scrutiny of proposed legislation.
The trouble in the past has been an in
difference on the part of too many mem
beers to our local conditions.
Congress should, Of course, treat the
National Capital in a spirit OF broad and
liberal patriotism. so far as the relation
Of the city to the nation is concerned.
and it should also give heed to the wishes
Of the citizens in dealing with the Dis
trict as p local entity This would be an
ideal consummation. we admit but it is
by no means impossible. Ii has not yet
been wholly attained, but step in the
right direction is certainly taken when
Congress. as a whole. manifests a direct
and intimate concern in our local Iegisla-
ton