Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-04
The District and the Next Congress.

w ltH tue dOJOuFnflenl OF ever! toHSieSS
The District hopes for better things to
come. Like the young man in business.
il has its future all before it. 1t looks
back upon the past with regret softened
by the feeling that it could hardly have
suffered worse and might surely have
been much better treated. The session
Just closed has held little OF comfort or
encouragement for Washington. In the
House Of Representatives the capital COM
munity has been treated with scbrn and
neglect. 1t has been deprived of its
scheduled time for the consideration OF
general legislation. and when an attempt
was made to utilize the District appro-
pration bill as q vehicle for securing es-
sentiaI enactments techncalities were in
voked 10 strip il OF every mer-torious
item looking to the development of the
District.
After the Senate had dealt more rber-
ally with the District in the matter OF
amounts and items in the appropriation
bill the House persisted in it's attitude of
denial and restriction. 1t sent the bill
back To conference twice. and in the de-
bates held the citizens of Washington
up to view as beggars and wards of the
natioa's bounty. When it was asked to
PASS OH ueSlSneu 10 SoiNe the pfeSSHI
financial problems confronting the Dis
trict. a measure that has received the
fun approval of the most representative
organizations of citizens. and enbodies a
practical, business principle of municipal
finance, it roared it's refusal in terms Of
ridicule and accusation.
What the future holds for the District
no man can tell 1t hopes that in the re-
Entrusted with its affairs will he composed
of broad-minded men, who recognize the
fact that Washington is the capital Of
the nation. that it is the city OF ali the
PEOPLE Of the entire country. that It rep
resents this government in the eyes Of
the world. having been made to order
and held under restraint to keep il free
from the ordinary stains OF ,raLe and
manufacture. an ideal place for the trans
action of the public business. 1t hopes
that the members Of the House District
committee will be men who command the
respect Of the House itself, who can Sc
cure time for the consideration of bills,
who will devote themselves painstakingly
TO the study Of local measures SO that
they will be always better informed on
District day than those who. through
lack of communion with these local mat
ters, are unacquainted With the reasons
for or against part.clic lines Of legis-
lation.
The poorest equipment of national
legislator for service in his constitutional
capacity as one OF those who have eX-
elusive jurisdiction over the ten miles
square is the thought that Washington
is the ward OF the nation and that it
should be put perenn;aily on short rations
There is no glory for anybody in a denial
to this District OF the fullest poss. BILE
consideration. according to the terms of
the organic act OF ISIS, which stands as
I, permanent partnership agreement be-
tween the federal num- ipality and the
general government. The Districts hope
always is that the right concept Of this
relationship may obtain IN the minds of
enough men in Congress to guar antee il
fair. busiresslike, adequate treatment. 1t
awaits the organization of the new Con-
;ress with the keenest interest for it
has come to stage in its development
at which il needs not merely liberal Iegis-
lation. but constructive sympathy with
iJs position and relationship TO the federal
government.