The Washington times., 1914-03-15
PLANS NEW CHARTER
TOPROTECT DISTRICT
Congressman Smith of New
York Would Preserve Half
and-HaIf System.

A new charter for the District of Co.
'rrmbia to provide a form Of gove'c
ment whereby three appointed commits
5ioners would have entire charge OF all
matters of legislative and executive
character, combining the duties the
uresent Commissioners and the commit
tees of Congress, is planned by Crn
FRESHMAN Charles B. Smith of New
'-ork He will introduce 4 resolution in
he House providing for the appoint
lr ent of a joint commission of the : III
sre, the House of Representatives. AM
citizens of the District 30 draw VI the
charter.
The permanent commission would re.
lieSe Congress of all the legislative
duties that now occupy 80 much of The
Tine of the members, would preserve
the half-and-halt policy, and leave the
power to make appropriations in the
hands of the National legislators.
Congressman Smith believes that the
tresent state of affairs is unfair to tne
country at large and to the people Of
the District, and puts upon Congress
4 burden it should not have to bear.
He says he be ieyes in Washington Us
a national city. in making improve
merits in a liberal manner, and of con-
tInuing the policy of Identification; pl:t
lie does not believe that the time Of
Congress should be consumed by de-
Dates on the paving of a street or che
extension of a sewer.
To Show ECONOMY"
Members, he asserts. use the affairs
Of the District as a medium of cony.n .nc-
ing their constituents of the economical
way in which they are trying to run tie
Government-to the disadvantage Of the
District and its citizens.
The citizens of Washington have the
evils of a common council without the
right or authority to remedy these
evils" said Mr.. Smith. "A surprising
ly small percentage of the members of
Congress are familiar with the property
interests, character of taxable property
or the ordinary needs of this munich
pality. Further than that, the members
Of Congressional committees who deal
with the District while endeavoring TO
DE fair in their dealings. cannot pos
sibly be in sympathy with local senti-
ment or familiar with conditions IN va
r1ous sections of the city. Members OF
the House cannot possibly educate
themselves in the intricate detail of the
District government They do not, as
a matter Of fact, take much interest in
District affairs. District legislation Is
sl4 duiOySLiCe 10 lIlteIT ana q hlndrance
TO work that they desire to do and
should do for the country as a whole.
Half-and-half Just.
There is no reason why the PEOPLE
Of the United States should pay the
enormous expense of maintaining a
Congress to experiment in city govern
-nent at the expense of Washington
taxpayers. 1t Is true that they pay but
one-half Of the expense of governing
the District, but it is also time that
the only power they have is the right |
Of petition.
The half-and-half plan appears TO |
be entirely just both TO the National |
Government and to the people of the |
District. But We have spent too little |
money to beautify Washington and !
This short-sighted and niggardly proCe-
dure will continue as long as The pres
ent system of administering District af-
fairs shall prevail