Evening star., 1914-02-06
More Dangerous Than Crisp Bill.


Vision of the act of l>7s made by section
OF the District appropriation bill. now
pending in the Senate. is more dangerous
than that of the Crisp bill. which has SO
alarmed the capital community.
The Crisp assault is open and direct.
aud trumpets its deadl. purpose 1t pro-
claims that it would eliminate entirely
rational participation i'll capital munich
r;4l maintenance and upbui.Ging. no
longer necessary or defensibis. II would
destroy the half-aul-l.st!f plan and would
Substitute nothing III its place.
Section eie;hts assault is cover. indirect.
insidious The appropriation bill contains
TO word of reference 20 the act of 1878. or
direct suggestion OF repeal; not even the
customary clause repeating Inconsistent
laws. But in effect section stabs
= r7ortally the haif-antl-lIalf provision. The
constitution OF The District OF Collim-
hia. so designated by the Supreme Court
OF the United states Is thus amended in
vital r,only far Is the action of tie
House is concerned. without any verbal
suggestion. IN the bill uf amendment or
repeal without the slightest ;liiusion in
II to tie fundamental law. thus amended
or repealed. without q word ot eyplana-
zion. objection or discussion o. even a
srpGrate vote On local constitutional
amendment which revolutionizes the Dis
tr!cts form of government and the rela-
tons of nation 10 capital
In TIE case of the crisp bill the definite
fixed standard % national participation
IN capital upbui!ding is destroyed by
avuued enemies. who would not have tIle
nation participate al all in capital main
tenance: in the case OF section s. ti.is
definite. fixed standard IS destroyed by
avowed friends who are wiling or anx-
ious that the nation shall do more. not
less. in capital Development
In both cases the keystone n the arch
o. the capitals development and pros
perity is demolished and the rebuilding of
tue wrecked structure is left to chance
and the fates in the uncertain future
Prior to 1878 the nation. through Con-
EFesS, participated as it saw fit in CAPT
tai upbuilding. with no definite equitable
measurement of its obligation toward the
nations city and its people. There re-
suited neglected, shabby, discreditable
capital; a humiliation, reproach and
Shame 10 the nation.
In 1878 definite equitable standard of
national participation in capital building
was fixed. There has resulted one of the
most attractive and most wholesome OF
tn worlds capitals. a worthy objec. Of
national pride.
II is now proposed by the Crisp bill
AID BY section 5 TO abandon this def
mite standard which has worked so well
fc- both nation and capital and under
which W aShinston has so wonderfully
prospered, and to restore SO far as any
fixed degree of national participation in
cap.tal-nakins is concerned the relations
prior to 1878. during the period OF the
capital $ neglect and shame.
Shall the half-and-half plan be
sbandoi.ed. unless nd until some other
definite standard Of national participa-
Ton is after thoughtful and deliberate
consideration substituted i'll its place"
shall the degree of national partieipa
ZION in capital maintenance and deveI-
op.tent be rendered uncertain. fluctuat-
sLS from year 10 year. shifting from
too little TO nothing with the whims
and caprices. the likes and dislikes.
the spites and the fancies of the few
individuals. the mere handful Of leg
Islators, who in successive Con-
crosses are willing and are permitted
To act for the nation III dealing with
local concerns!
Since some definite standard of ma
tion;1 participation in capital ma HI ng
is proved by experience to be absolutely
esseutIst! to the welfare OF the nation s
city. the preservation in some shape of
This standard is dominating principle
with every thoughtfu! Washington;an ana
should he with our legislators on Capitol
Hill. The life of this statutory provision
must he guarded against both enemy
and friend. II death follows. it makes
no practical difference whether il has
been bludSeoned by its open enemies
or stabbed III the house of it's friends
Elsewhere in The Star the discussion
OF this vitality important question is
elaborated IN greater detail than is
possible IL this column.