Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-11

debtedness the amount of this de-
ficiency
When the statute was enacted which
commanded the Commissioners TO esti-
mate only up to the amount OF the prob
able revenues the intent was thought to
be to prevent both misrepresentation
and under-appropration in carrying out
the spirit of the organic act. 1t was
thought. when In accordance with the
command of Congress the Commissioners
had carefully estimated the revenue to be
available and had after thorough study
of the problem apportioned this revenue
eauitably among the municipal needs, that
Congress would treat the estimates as a
budget. appropriating the full amount of
the estimated revenue either as the Com
missioners recommended or otherwise in
their discretion. but not cutting down the
amount of the estimate irregularly and
haphazard as to items. according to the
whims of individual congressman. But
the statute has failed to have this effect.
1t has availed to prevent the Commission
ers from submitting to Congress informa
ton Of the full needs of the District. hut
IL has not availed to prevent the House
from cutting down the limited estimates
In precisely the same reckless and injuri-
Gus fashion as under the previous system.
This procedure. involving an injurious
limitation upon the extent to which the
Commissioners may enlighten Congress
through the estimates as to the needs of
the District violation of the spirit Of
the organic act and a breach of faith. is
distinctly and unequivocally ''unethical"
1t is small business at best for Con-
gress. which has all power in its hands
at all times and upon which the respon-
sibility for every legislative action solely
rests. to denounce in any of these connec-
tions the nations silent partner or ward.
whose money il holds and disburses in
trust as IL any part Of the responsibility
In the matter fell upon the ward. IL there
is anything radically wrong In some item
of District legislation how can the blame
fall upon the mere petitioner for legisla
ton and not upon the actual legislator?
IL Uncle Sam has so legislated as to
spend extravagantly and without cOmpen-
satory results the capitals tax money in
trusted 10 him. ought he not to be aSham-
ed to shift responsibility for this eXtrava-
sance upon his ward who may have ask
ed him TO do an unwise thing, but who,
having no power or influence in the mat
ter. is also free from responsibility? To
legisate unwisely and inconsiderateiy.
whether in disregard of or in accord with
the requests of taxpayers. and then 10
Shirk responsibility for this legislation
and to abuse the helpless petitioner con-
stitutas performance which is unmiS-
takablv 'unethcal.' 1t is also unethcal
to shirk any equitable obligation to the ST
lent partner in the capital-ma king part
nership, TO swinde him, to starve him,
to threaten his life. to waste the silent
partners funds. to violate the trust under
which the partnership funds are held and
disbursed and finally to add insult to in
jury by abusing a mendicant the
ward who has been rendered impe cunious
by the guardians own gross mismanage-
ment. 1t is unethical to speak of millions
lavished on Washington by the nation.
since no money at all has been given 10
it by the nation, whose pecuniary obliga-
lions in respect to the capital have at
all times either been inadequateiy met or
not met at all.