Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-12
His Other Capital Constituency.

Meanwhile each representative IN the
House. shouldering his share of RESPONSE
bility for an unnecessarily sweeping de-
NAL OF American rights to certain Ameri-
cans. should recognize that under the
Constitution he represents two constit-
uencies, the one at home. which elected
him. and another composed of the people
OF the District OF Columbia; and that his
oath of office puts upon him burden Of
responsibility in guarding and fostering
the interests OF both constituencies. II
in meeting conscientiously this dual obi
cation he studies the facts and figures
relating to the District he may find that
his capital constituency is more populous
than his home constituency, and con-
tributes more in national taxes, direct
and indirect, through internal revenue
taxation and in customs duties, either
through custom house contributions or
as consumers of imported articles carry
ing the heaviest burden OF customs taxa
ton. In 1909 the District OF Columbia
contributed in internal revenue collect ons
to the national treasury more than six
teen of the states and all four Of the
territories. The per capita con tribution
of the District in internal revenue taXa-
ton for that year was greater than that
OF twenty-five states and all four terri
tories Investigation will also teach the
earnest. thoughtful legislator that the bur-
den of municipal taxation imposed by
Congress upon the local taxpayer is fully
as heavy as that which the average self
governing American municipality imposes
upon itself, and, in view of the peculiar
disa bilities under which the District
labors. it's tax Is harder to meet than
that or the average American community.
OF the 1871 cities, excluding Washington.
which exceeded $1,000 in population in
1867, 1O7 had smaller per capita tax levies
group Of cities in the Washington class
Cleveland. Buffalo. Detroit, Cincinnati,
Milwaukee. New Orleans. Newark, Min
neapolis, Louisville. Jersey City. Indian
apOlis and st. Paul-siX had in 1907 a
smaller and six a larger per capita tax
levy than Washington. OF these twelve
cities nine had in the same year a smaller
per capita property valuation than Wash
ington. and three larger valuation.
In the light of these facts in respect to
both national and local taxation the in
vestigator will. it is hoped catch the full
spirit Of the conscientious and enthusiast
tic legislator for the capital. and will In
any event refrain from slurring his CAPT.
tai constituency by the suggestion that
the infinitesimal fraction of contribution
to national taxes by his average home
constituent is being squandered in graft
f1catiOn Of the extravaganza of the pau
pers and mendicants Of the District o;
Columbia.
for the people of Washington. aroused by
the example Of Buenos Aires and Rio is
thus limited to national representation
for them on American principles, and
since a constitutional amendment Is held
to be necessary for the extension of this
privilege. its enjoyment may be reason
ably postponed. The lessons. however
taught by the South American cities in
respect to the material and artistic de-
velopment and adequate financial main
tenance Of the capital have an immediate
urgent and vital application.
Buenos Aires and RIO give hints OF
value. both TO those Of us who are
trying to make Of Washington the city
| beautiful, q capital worthy of the re-
public. and viewed and fostered by the
| nation with affectionate pride, and t.
| those Of Congress who are in good faith
| investigating whether the republic has
not been extravagant in capital upbuild
| ing and whether 1t should not scrmp In
national expenditures on the capital and
to relieve itself put new tax-gathering
screws on its :serfs and "mendicants'
of the District of Columbia.
Has Congress Been Extravaganza
| OF course. in essence this congressiona
committee is investigating Congress, thai
TO- to say. itself, as representative Of thu
nation, to ascertain how faithfully, hov