Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13
Congress and the District.


States takes such a keen and immediate
interest in the outcome Of the congress
sional elections as does the District OF
Columbia. While every Congress dis
trict is concerned in the fortunes of Its
candidates and the country at large
weighs the results In terms Of possible
tariff legislation or other enactments on
the federal scale, the District sees in a
new House of Representatives freshly
chosen common council. It scans the re-
turns with individual appraisement OF
the qualities Of members as local legisla-
tors. 1t promptly tries to estimate the
effect which the shifting Of the personnel
of the House and Senate will have upon
its welfare in terms Of appropriations
and laws affecting the public health. the
educational system and the advancement
of the material and artistic interests of
the capital community.
The prospect of democratic House is
not necessarily significant to the District
unless the party in control Of the lower
branch of Congress should undertake ia
carry the policy of retrenchment in pub
lie appropriations to the unwarranted ex-
tent Of curtailing the allotments Of Dis
trict funds. Under the organic act OF
1878 there should be no question of the
sufficiency of District appropriations to
maintain the capital upon high plane
betting, the federal seat of government
1t is true that according to that statute
Congress determines to what extent the
estimates Of the District Commissioners
shall be approved and appropriates &C
cordingly. But 1t was Enthusiastically the
intention of Congress in making that en-.
actment to place the District upon an as
sured basis Of adequate fiscal provision.
If the District appropriations were car
ried in budgetary form there would be
small reason to be apprehensiye OF the
failure of Congress to provide sufficiently
for the local needs. The absolute re-
quirements would then show as they dc
not now appear. The relation between
outgo and income, between prospective
necessities and prospective resources
would be obvious to any legislator. There
is time before the advent Of the new
Congress to place the finances of the
District upon this basis. II the Commits
sioners can persuade the House and
Senate during the coming session to
adopt the budget form they will have
accomplished result OF real Importance
and possibly forestall trouble.
The country at large undoubtedly wants
to see Washington develop as mode
community. not only as a seat Of gov,
eminent, but as a municipality. 1t doe.
not begrudge the infinitesimal fraction Of
expense which falls upon each individual
citizen for the upkeep of the District. A,
far as the situation here is understood
there is a disposition to regard the fed
eral half of the local expense account
as an excellent investment. Unfortu
nately most Of the voting communitie.
are SO intent upon immediate question!
OF party politics and remote considera
tons of national policy that the charac
ter of Congress as the legislature Of tn,
District is not sufficiently borne in mind
and so from time to time members who ar.
Of real value in their work In Congress IL
| behalf of the District of Columbia ar,
left at home and their places are taker
by men who come to Washington withou
adequate conception OF the true meaning
of Washington. Consequently the Dis
| trict passes through an unending serie
Of educational efforts. seeking to brin
| Congress up to an appreciation of IT.
obligations and its opportunities with re
| spect to the National Capital