Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-03
The Districts Legislature.


At the citizens dinner to President
Taft few days ago expression was given
10 the thought that Washington, though
sometimes slow in expressing itself In
ADEQUATE terms of appreciation. feels
deeply grateful for the unselfish. public
spirited services of Congressman in
faithfully legislating for the District
Of Columbia. 1t IS true that Con-
gress is at times neglectful ana
exasperatingIy slow to move In Dis
tr:ct legislation. but it has ever in the
great crises OF the capitals history acted
Justly and wisely and sympatheticaiiy
Though the nation from the beginning
neglected its obligations toward the ma
tion's city, il frankly confessed Its fault
and came to the city's relief in 1880. when
Washington had bankrupted itself In try
ing to perform unaided the nation task
Of capital making. So in the seventies OF
the last century. with n recurrence of the
conditions of 1885. the nation not only
shoudered one-half and guaranteed the
whole of the bankrupting debt. but under
look. as a matter of equity. to share all
the expenses OF capital making for the
future And # in the time to come an
other crisis shall arise--as in connection
with a proposal that the nation repudiate
tho funded debt of 1873 and throw II upon
the local taxpaverS of today-Washington
may. in the Light of the precedents, rely
with perfect confidence for protection on
it LEGISLATURES wisdom. justice and sys-
pathetic considerat ton. 1t is inconceivable
that the reputation and conflscation pro-
POSED should not be found. when the test
comes, shockingly repugnant to the domi-
mating spirit of fairness of the American
people.
These reflections have particularly per-
tinent application to the immediate situa-
ton at the Capitol today. The Districts
interests there have been jealousy safe
guarded on the vitality important matters.
The District appropriation bill, thanks
to the effective work OF the capitals
conscientious friends in both branches Of
Congress. falls into final form with all
the vital essentials carefully and equita-
bly, adjusted. In the matter OF the Bor-
land amendment. which 50 dangerously
assailed the principle of the organic act.
the result is completely reassuring.
AS for the funded debt. the House itself
took a satisfactory action In referring the
legality Of half-and-half payments to the
Treasury for decision, and the Senate
went further and declared In 1aVof OF
federal participation In the debt ex-
tinguishment. The final acceptance Of the
House provisions leaves the matter in sat
tsfactory form. Thus in these two par
ticulars the Districts legislature has once
again performed its duty fully and salts
factortly. and the thanks Of the local COM
munity are due for expression without re-
serve and with enthusiasm for the dill
gence with which these matters have been
watched and the skill with which they
have been handled.
Not only on the defensive side, but on
the constructive side the friends Of the
District have been and are still working
vigorously for results. Measures are pend
ing for a material advance toward the
development of the District the ideal
capital city. To those senators who are
standing firmly In advocacy OF a memorial
bridge, the connecting park link. the Ma
tionai Guard armory. the Red Cross and
Memorial halls. Is due unstinted praise
aud words of encouragement. The hours
are now few for Anal work on the ap-
preparation bills. and the District hopes
for results from these Jealous labors in
It's behalf for a valuable addition to its
equipment