Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-03
The Organic Act Menaced.

The statement that movement is
under way. or is at least contemplated
in Congress. TO propose the substitution
OF lump sum appropriation of federal
money in aid of the support OF the Dis
trict government, in lieu OF the half-and-
half contribution provided by the organic
act, cannot be wholly surprising to the
people of Washington in view of recent
happenings both in and out of Congress.
For some time this position has been
manifest in the House to hamper the
District and to criticise the organic act
as an unfair and unnecessary arrange
ment. 1t is not at the present time nee
essary 10 analyze the causes leading up
10 this demonstration of hostility to the
District. The fact suff1ces that there is
present prospect of fight against the
existing arrangement whereby the United
, States bears its equitable part OF the cost
of maintaining the federal capital.
The Star has published the news of this
situation at this time in order that
the people of Washington may be fully
warned and may organize forces in good
season 10 resist the assault effectively.
In this defense of the organic act they
must depend upon their true friends in
congress, those who understand the real
relationship between the District and the
United States. who recognize the Justice
and the necessity Of the half-and-half
contribution. and who appreciate the i'm
possibility of maintaining the National
Capital on an adequate scale on any other
financial basis.
Ii Will not do to underrate the danger
of the repeal or modification of the or
ganic act The fact that proposals for a
lump sum substitution for the half-and-
half contribution come from the chairman
of the House District committee and from
the chairman Of the appropriations Dis
trict subcommittee is sufficient evidence
that they are serious, and that they will
be pressed vigorously by those legislators
and their colleagues who share with them
the mistaken view that the District is the
undeserving beneficiary OF the govern
ment's bounty.
II is pointed out that in such a contest
the Senate would probably stand as the
Districts friend in the defense of the
organic act. Reliance must not be placed
in that safeguard against the great dis
aster of even the partial abrogation of
the present partnership agreement. 1t is
the urgent duty of every District citizen
to work hard from now on to educate
members of the House into a proper I'M
Outstanding of the organic act and of the
Districts history before and since its
enactment, SO as to prevent, if possible,
any affirmative action by the House. For
il would be calamity only degree re-
moved from abrOgation to have either
house of Congress go on record as op-
posed 10 the continued payment by the
United States of half of the Districts ex-
penses.
must be regarded as a continuing menace
not necessarily for the one session soon
10 open, but for an indefinite time, and
the prevention of action next winter if
that can be accomplished. should be con-
sidered merely first round for
lamentable as the fact may be. a spirit
OF antagoniSm to Washington and to any
participation by the federal government
IN its proper maintenance prevails among
members Of Congress now as from the
beginning OF the movement to establish
the National Capital in this District.
This is not the time to discuss the
merits of the organic act or to urge its
vital importance to the people of Wash
ington. For the present 1t is necessary
only to suggest TO the District citizens
that they are in danger Of being deprived
Z of the federal contribution, without which
they cannot possibly support the local
government on anything approaching the
present scale of efficiency or attractive
ness or safety and comfort The Star
b. looks TO all organized bodies OF citizens TO
place this item first upon their order OF
business for the winter. and TO all unor-
ganized citizens to seek for means of eff
fective work in resisting this impending
attack. The District approaches what
may be the greatest crisis in its often
troubled career.