Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-28
The Prouty Plan.

Representative Prouty is said to be at
work upon bill for the reorganization
of the District government which is to
provide a certain measure of local suf
frage and to readjust the relations be-
tween the District and the United States.
One OF the most conspicuous features of
the bill, it is stated. will be the abrosa
ton Of the half-and-half agreement of
the United States and the substitution for
the annual-theoretical-e sharing of
National Capital expense of a federal
appropriation covering the governments
share of the cost of taking care of the
streets. parks. etc. The theory upon
which any participation at all in the cost
of District maintenance by the United
States is to be provided for In the Prouty
bill, 1t is now understood. is that the
streets. parks, etc, of the District are
exceptionally spacious on account of the
peculiar character Of the city, and that
IT is only equitable that the federal gov
eminent should bear some part of the
| burden of their upkeep. The citizens of
the District have been appealed to on be-
half Of this bill not to show any undue
hostility and urged to regard it as
wholly friendly effort to readjust local
relations with the United States upon
fair basis.
1t is difficult 10 see how the District
can view such a proposition with equa-
| nimity. A withdrawal by the government
from the half and-h partnership agree
ment would be q crushing blow to the
prosperity of this community. 1t would
cause burdensome increase in taxation
or else a serious curtailment of all mu-
| ,tNsy@ 81 81
District government ito a poverty basis.
No sop Of federal sharing in the cost of
maintaining parks, streets, etc, would in
the least degree save the District from
either of these results. For thirty-f1ve
years the District has been proceeding
| under; the so-called organic act, with
| the government sharing the cost Of main
| tenance and development equally. A GER
tain scale has been established. To
change suddenly from the half-and-half
principle 10 that of government help in
the maintenance of streets, parks, etc,
would be like cutting a man, accustomed
to three meals day, down to single
slender meal. To keep up its long-estab-
lished mode of living the District would be
compelled almost to double it's taxes the
proposed federal contribution amounting
TO a mere picayune in comparison with
the amount which it has been equitably
paying for the development and upkeep Of
the Capital city appropriate 10 its dignity
And equal 10 its requirements.
There Will be local enthusiasm for
any measure which. however attractive
II may be on the score of District suf
frage, proposes TO abrogate the half-and-
half agreement I'm whole or in part The
| logic and the necessity of the equal par
| ticipation plan fortunately appeal strong
| ly enough TO Congress whenever the case
| is thoroughly examined and the situation
| fully analysed and discussed to prevent
any departure from this mode of main
| tanning a federal capital. and it is not
| to be believed that bill which proposes
| to cut down the governments share of
keeping up a suitable capital establish
ment will command support even in the
House. let alone enlist any sympathetic
response from the people of Washington.