The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-31
Reform If
Handling of the
CHy,s Milk.
By CHARLES F. NESBIT
The Well-Known Charitable and Phil
anthIopic Worker.

antnI0plC worker.
What's the matter with Washington
It is suffering from growing pains,
that's all,
The facts and tendencies are all in
favor OF this city. When we consider
that America, potentially, IS equal 10
about all of Europe, and is gaining in
population very much faster Than
Europe, and in wealth certainly twice
as fast, il not three times; and when we
add to this consideration the observa-
ton that Paris. Berlin. London. Madrid,
and Rome are very largely what they
are because they are capitals Of various
political divisions Of Europe, it Should
not take much imagination to figure out
the future of the capital city Of ma
ton the size and power of America.
Washington is like a giant crustacea.
II will indicate in its own growth the
increase in power OF the Federal Gov
eminent. The city will build up like
a shell about the heart OF the United
States. The National Government
exudes millions of money every year
Most OF it finds expression at once in
the city of Washington in homes and in
business buildings.
Washington. Fifteen or twenty years
ago the city was a debtor city. Vast
sums of money were borrowed and
brought here from Boston and Phila-
delphia. Philadelphia. New York. and
New England financial concerns had
large numbers of loans in Washington.
Washington now has many strong
financial institutions of its own. IT has
Cd fFa for
business and Ioaning. and Washington
is not today a city largely indebted 20
outside people II is now loaning money
to other places, chiefly South.
The opening OF the new South, to
which Washington is the gateway,
means much to the future Of this city
The development in the South, indus
trialIy, is a constant surprise TO all
people who keep in touch with 1t. This
means that Washington will reap a
large advantage from this great in
crease in manufacturing industry south
OF US.
Personally, I believe that the citizens
of Washington should have a vote.
They should at least have an advisory
vote. so that their will might be ex-
pressed definitely and completely TO
Congress. Personally, 1 think the ad-
visory. initiative, and referendum would
be almost ideal for tits city.
The future of a city depends. Ike a
country, primarily on good government.
The first essential to permanently good
government is that there shall not be
taxation without representation.
We hear the statement frequently
that Washington is the best governed
city In America
I think such a statement simply alb
surd. 1t assumes the failure of demo
cratic and republican government, and
denies that even more ancient Anglo
Saxon principle, local self-govern-
ment"
This statement is made because our
government has been free from theft
Our city government is honest in the
handling of money.
This does not prove it IS a good gov
eminent. If the Gar Of Russia to-
morrow had a change of heart and be-
came benevolent to the limit; if he. in
the next ten years. should do more than
Augustus did for Rome; If Russia should
become peaceful and prosperous it would
not mean a good government" Il
would mean that Russia had good
hearted, wise despot Euling her.
Her government so long as it remained
as an absolutism would be bad
So. until the taxpayers and citizens of
Washington have a say as TO their
affairs we cannot boast much of our
government.
It may be that the requirements of
the Federal City prevent full local self
government, but the people should GER
tainly have a vote on matters OF vital
interest and thus definitely express their
VIII and wishes to Congress.
There is probably no more pressing
need, affecting a large number of peo-
pie in this city. than that of the milk
supply. I think we are now pretty safe
in our water supply In regard TO milk,
it seems to me that with the compile
ton of the new depot and the new ter
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