The Washington herald., 1914-02-16
The Capitals Claim on Congress.

Congress, during the neNt few weeks,
will be called upon 10 devote a part Of
its time to completing and perfecting
legislation uow pcrding which will
mark the boundaries Of growth and
progress of the Capital of the United
States for the comiTg year. Indeed,
the responsibility goes further, for
there are some measures 10 be con-
sidered Which vitally affect the foun-
dation system upon which tie seat OF
government has rested securely for the
past thirty-fve years, since the wise
statesmen of that period, after long
study and earnest discussion, framed
the organic act OF 1873
The District of Columbia appropria-
tior bill is now undergoing careful
, SCRUTINY i'll the Senate, through COM
mittee and subcommittee, whose MEM
bers are delving deeply into the subject
of the financial needs of Washington.
seeking information from the most re-
liable authorities to guide them in the
task of making provision for the proper
maintenance of the nations Capital
Naturally changes will be made in the
bill as it came from the House. The
Washington public generally will hope
Tor an increase in the appropriations
allowed by tho House for various pur-
poses and for the restoration OF items
which wcrcs stricken cut. Men who
have devoted at least a part OF their
lives TO advancing the Capitals welfare
are earnestly hoping that the section of
the bill which would diSarrange the
present haIf-and-lIalf system of paying
the expenses of the Capital will be
stricken out Their hope is justified
by the fact that Senators have learned
the interesting history OF the enactment
OF the law which gave a permanent
system of government" TO the District
of Columbia in place of municipal
chaos.
1t is a history which members of
both Houses of Congress must needs
learn in order TO lcgIsldte in'elligently
on matters affecting the Capitalize
Capital OF all of the o5.oooooo people
who are proud of its growing splendor.
The. people of Washington have no
voice in its government; the governing
body is Congress. which in the Lower
House. especially, i: ever changing,
statesmen who have learned the legis
latrve history of the Capital giving
way to others who in their first session,
perhaps, can give but little time from
the other duties which thev owe their
constituents TO the affairs OF the seat
Of government.
In the House of Representatives of
the Sixty-third Congres: are many who
have had no opportunity as yet to
famiIiarize themselves with the finan
cial history of Washington Doubtless
without exception tncy are as proud of
the Capital and "a much interested i'll
lis advancement as arc their ConStitu-
Cnts. Next session there will be many
bt inCin ISduE 10 ldh- lHS HUT do
champions of Washington against any
Of the small handful OF hostilcs in the
total membership of ABS. l: is per-
fcctly safe assertion that the vast ma
iority in the House would withhold
their votes from any measure calculat-
cd. 10 halt the progress of the Capital.
OF these men the people of the
United States and Of Washington have
the right To ask that they give full
consideration TO legislation soon to pass
from Senate TO House. The Capitals
cause is just. 1t need have no fear of
the result if Congressman will learn
the facts.