Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-06
The New District Committee

No other community in the United States
+ as keenly interested as the District
OF Columbia in the process now under
way OF the democratic organization OF
the House of Representatives The Sc
lection of chairmen and committeeman
by committee instead of by the Speak
e. is An experiment the results of which
are uncertain. No interest in this co'in-
try has much at stake in this process
as the National Capital. For upon the
character and experience and the atti-
tude toward the subject iItrusted to
them of the men comprising the District
committee in the House depends the
communal welfare Of all WaShingtoaians
and also the working out of plans for
National Capital development in which
the entire country is interested
Other committees will he orga nze'
along political lines. SO constituted as
to effect certain results in the way of
legislation. All these committees Will be
dominated by the controlling principles
OF democratic policy, as far as they can
be defined by caucus action. No political
consideration, however. enters into the
question of organizing the District COM
n,lttee. The chairman and members of
that boly have no work to do which,
bears cron the issues between the two
great Parties. Such a thing as a party
vote - almost uni-eard of in the District
committee. The development of Wash
inyton. the capital, as city betting
the Cisn.y CT the United States IS sup
posecly the business of both parties.
Democratic Congresses have fully SUBJ
scribed TO tie doctrine established by the
organic act. and some of the most eff
tic.ent constructive work in the House
has been done b. democratic commit
tcemen. SO il is to he expected that the
welfare CT the District viii be studied by
those nov charged WITH the duty of or
gaHI.ing this commit: zee, without refer
eEce IN any degree to partisanship or
factionalism.
The District hopes for a chairman in
the House who will understand that
Washington is not a mendicant, but a
full partner with the United States in the
upkeep and management Of the seat OF
government. 1t hopes that the new Dis
trict chairman will be a man competent
III grasp the FEDERAL conception of the
District, free from prejudces or personal
animosities, broad enough TO recognize
that more than an opportunity lies he
lore Congress in its treatment of the
District, that 1t is the oIty of the House
and Senate to exercise exclusive i.ris-
diction over the ten miles square" i'm
manner TO yield results of which all the
country may be proud
The new District chairman should be
one who commands the entire respect
and confidence of both Congress and
the District. He should be able TO secure
the full allotment of time assigned from
the House for the consideration of Dis
trict affairs. He should so organize his
committee as TO secure the services OF
men specially equipped for The subjects
ihtrusted TO them, so that on every Dis
trict day the various measures advanced
for consideration may be prosecuted with
the full strength of tie committees
UNDERSTANDING and support to prevent
hasty Judgment on the part of the House
or failure to appreciate the occasion for
action. For such a committee the Dis
trict of Columbia work offers a chance
OF constructive, wholesome activity de-
MED 10 the average member of the
House.