Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-26

tons nave Deen pared 10 tne quick, flSHt
| city development stayed. desirable legis-
lation denied, when District day has
been quickly embalmed. hastily buried
| without becoming funeral rites and cere-
monies and resurrection denied the fol-
lowing and the following Mondays. we
adopt the words of a political trooper
! down in Kentucky, who describing an
era of wide financial depression, thun-
dered. Times got just as bad as they
4could possibly be on this earth Re-
/ manned that way a year, then got worse
Make calm review of our past thirty
! years under the best form of municipal
| government yet granted US by the Con-
gress. That review leads me to the con-
| cluson that, in the main. wisdom mas
| marshaled the procession of District
| movements under congressional control,
directed and guided in measure py &C
| copied local suggestion.
Demand for Home Rule.
But restless. voteless voice says
| The nation wide demand OF the hour Is
| for direct government by the people oil
rect election of all government omclais'
| the senators and judges. shorter terms
and quicker Veto by popular vote OF or
fetal action. Will the federal Constitu-
ton be amended to reach these ends?
For one, 1 prefer life-tenure judges ap-
pointed by the President, even in Dis
trict where the privilege of voting for
| the President. who makes the appoint
ment. is denied.
I'VE have today board of Commits
sioners of noteworthy civic industry, OF
high capacity, of absolute fitness and IN
tegrity, who plan on broad lines, not
| alone for the present but who take a
long forward look into the future, and
for one / am not anxious to substitute
for them municipal officers elected by
popular vote; and when you do this, re-
member that in all human probability
you change radically the attitude of Con-
gress with regard to federal contribu-
ton to municipal expenditures. The Con-
sress will not appropriate millions whose
uses will be beyond congressional direc-
ton and control The equity of present
federal and District contribution to Dis
trict expenditures is conceded. though we
have no direct power in controlling the
application of our half of the whole. and
this condition follows the Constitution.
Control in Local Affairs.
Joint equality of control would be most
difficult in adjustment and hazardous.
Yet, 1 join with many in feeling that the
actual residents should be accorded great
err right of direction of our school sys-
tenn. our police. fire. street, water and
sanitary departments, though. through
the wisdom of Congress. as l have said,
municipal suggestion in these regards is
often the basis of Federal legislation.
Our legislature has committed to 1t a
nations affairs, and each member has on
his mind and heart his own state or dis
trict. We are something apart, a separ-
rate entity, with which the member of his
immediate locality had seemingly no COM
Inunity of interest.
District Affairs a National Matter.
Il say seemingly for this District is
part of the possession of every district
and state, and if the Congress and the
people could be nationalized on this sub
ject, If each congressman could feel, as
has Mr.. Gardner, that consideration of
our affairs is a national matter. that the
nation as we'll as the residents are vitality
and primarily interested, the problem
would be solved
"You may say this is absurd and Ar
cadian; that responsibility to constituents
is absent; that the penalty of retirement
cannot be enforced; that member may
act SO as to attract and merit just crltl-
ciSm on the part of the citizens or TINS
District. but this does not affect him at
home: that men are mortal, and We can
expect no departure from the ordinary
rules that control human action. Grant
this, yet / believe If the people of this
nation were rightly advised. they would
consider as a personal matter the action
with District legislation.
Let the people in the states know
that we pay taxes equal to those col
lected in similar cities; are not national
wards; beneficiaries.
One Committee for District Affairs.
would it not lead to unity, harmony
and cohesion in District legislation If one
committee had jurisdiction of all District
affairs, general and the appropriation
bill. Is not exclusive legislation for a
nations capital, for a territory, having
we'll on to half a million population, of
sufficient moment to provide an unwritten
law that membership on this committee
should be exclusive of other committee
assignments? Would it not be well to
limit it's membership to five or seven
Appointment on it might not be sought.
1t may not open the door for conspicuous
limenght service, but there are always
| men in the Congress who are conscien-
tious. efficient, able and satisfied to walk
in the narrow path of useful service,
without a brass band playing.
If five or seven Gardeners could be
found in every House. and all District
affairs committed to them, the year of
District jubilee would come, and the
finger of eternal silence touch the lips OF
local complaint and criticism"
Tribute to Mr.. Gardner.
Mr.. 4erkeS speech closed with per-
sonal tribute to Representative Gardeners
entire life 1t ended with these words:
This homage-these thanks Of the peo-
pie of Westinghouse crown that, unlike
the laurel and bay, will never wither,
must, Notwithstanding your modesty and
simplicity, your adherence of show and
parade, accompany you back to your
home in the lake state; trophy not OF
| war-yet of victory-the capture by you
of the high esteem and affection of a
great city.
with our thanks go our good wishes
| for every hour of your coming years.
May they be tranquil, serene, successful.
| filled with opportunity for service to
your feilow-man-and therefore happy
years-and God bless you is thrown in
| for good measure"
Reduction Of the District Debt.
During the time Mr.. WASHINGTON
Gardner has been chairman of the sub
committee on the District of Columbia
of the House appropriations committee, -
said Commissioner Judson, "the debt OF
the District of Columbia proper has been
reduced from $y.UO0.OOO to 5000. OoO
| counting forward. as is logical to June
80, 1912. This debt reduction of $1,000,
of the combined revenues by $6.0OJ,OyO
practically enough to buy all of the Dis
trict park lands deemed necessary by the
Mcmillan park commission
| IF the excellent financial condition
of the District will now permit us, while
paying the remainder Of our debt, to &c
repidly forward and make this capital
of which the whole nation will be proud
no small measure of our thanks is due
to Mr.. Gardner.