Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-23
A Square Deal for Everybody.

A Square Deal for Everybody.
Yesterdays lambasting in the House
OF the wicked Washingtonians who are
-timidating certain weak and timid but
virtuous and morally inhexible con-
cressmen, by calling them names and
threatening to report them to their
voting constituents. was overdone, and
I'm its final result will doubtless be
helpful In improving the relations be-
tween the people of Washington and
their legislators.
Our level-headed. well-intentioned leg
islators i'll the House, constituting the
vast majority. whose only fault from
Washington's point of view is that their
absorption in national affairs prevents
them from giving as much thought as We
would like TO local concerns, had their
attention irresistibly attracted and
their sense of humor moved by the
frantic appeal that the omnipotent Con-
Eress defend itself against intimidation
by impotent Washington. And as soon
as their interest in the matter was
actively aroused they interfered wisely
and effectively to defeat a proposal in
effect that Uncle Sam don petticoats
and scramble upon the table in an un-
dignified frenzy of unreasoning FEM
mime fright at the terrible and ram
pageous District mouse, trembling on
the floor
But seriously there is need of better
ment of the frame of mind on both sides
of the capital-making partnership. A
square deal. for everybody is demanded.
for Congress representing the nation, as
well as for the people of the nations
city.
Too many of Washingtons legislators
come to view their constituents as unap-
preciative. ungrateful, greedy. selfish and
censorious; and too many of these con-
etituents come to view the legislators. Sc
4ected for them by the Constitution. as
deliberately ignorant of their needs. as
contemptuously Indifferent to and neglect
ful OF their welfare or as actively and
Indignantly hostile.
The crying need of the hour is a change
OF thought, a change OF heart. new
policy under which each of the capital
building partners shall heed the injunc-
ton Put yourself in his place!" with
the result of substituting mutual appre-
citation for recrimination.
Fair play and mutual regard are watch
words Of the new policy. The Wash
ingtonians in accordance with it will
render deserved and belated tribute of
grateful appreciation to the long line of
senator's and representatives who have
faithfully performed the unselfish, diff
cult and almost thankless task of dealing
as considerably and justly with their
capital constituents as with their home
constituents. Washington knows and
honors- these men-its loyal, helpful
friends, public-spirited workers in the
task of capital building, though 1t may
not have put this appreciation and honor
into words as promptly and adequately
as 1t ought.
As Washington should subject itself
to a rigid determination to ascertain
whether 1t has not been lacking in CRATE
full appreciation, SO should individual
members of Congress test the question
whether they do not fall short in just
appreciation OF their capital constituency
and deny it American fair play.
The extensive powers in respect to the
capital conferred upon Congress involve
equally far-reaching responsibilities and
obligations; and sacrifices in the nations
interest are required on both sides of
the partnership. A great power is to
be greatly. nobly exercised. controlled by
no motive or impulse that is small or
mean or base.
The greatest legislative body in the
world, representing the worlds foremost
nation, is to build up. IMPLYING that
nation. the worlds grandest capital. The
nations city which the forefathers nobly
planned Is by us to be perfected on lines
no less noble.
Tho capital which wisdom and patriot
ism are TO make truly great includes not
only the physical city out the people
who live in it. the men who make the
sacrifices in the nations interest which
call for sacrifices OF time and thought
and patient consideration by the nation
through Congress in return. The obliga-
ton is to build not merely a beautiful
city, but healthful. wholesome, well
governed. contented and self-respecting
city.
What then will the nation do with it's
city to make 1t more attractive. more
healthfuI. more creditabie in every way
as the National Capital? What will
1t do with the Americans who constitute
the people of its city to promote their
physical. political. intellectual and moral
welfare?
In these days of easy divorce, trifiing
causes of dispute often DISRUPT the fam
lily partnership; but in the capital-making
partnership between Congress represent
ing the nation and the people of Wash
~ington divorce, though sometimes sug-
gested, now on one side and now on the
other in a spasm of discomfort, is neither
feasible nor desirable. What the Consti-
tuition of the United States has thus join
cd together il seems impossible for any
man or men by the divorce of radical
constitutional amendment to put asunder.
Since, then, these partners are to live and
work together in capital-building let them
by mutual consideration, forbearance,
sympathy and regard live together hap
PLY and work tremendously and effect
lively to the end that through their joint
labors a magnificent capital may be de-
veloped. which every Washingtonian
may with patriotic enthusiasm claim as
his home, and of which every American
may be proud