The Washington times., 1914-03-14
AYERS SENATE WILL
PROTECT DISTRICT
tSenator GaiIinger Tells Bright
wood Residents Halt-and-
Half Plan Will Stand.

That the Senate is thoroughly in favor
of the continuance of the half-and-half
plan for the District government and
will not give its approval to any amend
ment. made by the House, tending to
abrogate this arrangement, was made
clear in an address delivered by Sem
ator Gallinger, of New Hampshire. be-
fore Brightwood Citizens Association,
last night. Senator Gallinger pointed out
that several appropriations for improve
ments in the District had been added
10 the bill by the Senate even over the
objection of the District Commissioners.
Other speeches were made by ex-Judge
II. Anderson. and former Justice Bum
dy, of the Municipal Court. Louis T:
Shoemaker presided, and number OF
resolutions affecting District matters
were introduced.
resolution asking that Congress include,
in future acts for the extension OF
streets, a provision that no benent
should be required to be paid by ad-
jacent property owners until the streets
had been actually opened, and not
merely extended on paper.
He said in many instances property
owners were required to pay for bene-
fits Gears in advance of the actual eX-
fts could exist until the streets had
heen exended. The resolution was
unanimously carried.
Wilton j. Lambert offered a resolu.
tion expressing regret at the loss OF
the late Chief Justice Clabaugr, who
had always been much interested In the
activities OF the association. warm
responses were made by a number of
of the Judge and his work. Mr.. Lam
bert also offered a resolution, which
was unanimously carried. urging the
President TO elevate Associate JUSTICE
Barnard. the senior justice of the Dis
trict Supreme Bench. to be chief jus
tice for the remainder Of his term OF
office.
Louis P Shoemaker. president Of the
association, presented a resolution con-
demning the action of the House n de-
parting from the haIf-ard-half system
for the District Government and in
dorsing the work being done by the
committee of 100.
Text of Resolution.
Following is the text of the Shoe
maker resolution which was adopted:
Whereas, our present form of
Government was established many years
ago by Congress, which has exclusive
jurisdiction under the Constitution of the
United States over this Federal territory.
and, until the present time. it seemed to
be satisfactory to the people of the Dis
trict of Columbia and the United States
Government as well and
Whereas, that which appeared to
be right. proper and just in the past ap-
pears suddenly to be all wrong and there
is danger and perhaps imminent danger
Of such action by Congress as may be
detrimental not only to our present form
Of Government but very injurious to the
development improvement and beauttfict-
ton Of the National Capital: and
Whereas, such hasty action as
proposed by the District Committee on
the part of the House without due de-
liberation, would seem to beilladvised.
not only in the interests of our citizens.
but in the interest of the United States
Government, representing the people OF
the country at large, who are deeply in
tereste6 in our Capital City: and
Whereas, the principal feature in
voved seems to be the question as to
whether the Federal Government ought
10 contribute in the future, as 1t has in
the past, toward the maintenance of
Washington: and
Four Suggestions.
Whereas it is our desire to respect
full, direct attention to the following
suggestions:
Congress has exclusive jurisdiction
over the District of Columbia, irres-
pective ow the wishes Of our people
'
property rights fairly and justly, or
unwisely and injUdiciously. and 1t ia
Impossible for US to secure redress eN-
cept in persuasive manner.
1T would seem to BE- the duty of
Congress having absolute Jurisdiction
10 contribute largely toward the main
tenance of the home Of the nation.
Every man Is Obliged 10 support his
home, and naturally the nation is
rslled upon TO look after Washing
ton. the home of our Government
Without the consent of our land
owners. everything that is done mere
i very properly dictated by Congress
upon national sca,e of Importance.
"omrlensurate with the needs and TO
crafty the pride and. indeed. the in
Ierest which the people OF the United
States have 'n their Capital City.
Therefore, Washington and the de
Inands of Washington cannot be com
pared with any otter city in this
country, and there is dU-y and Oh
legation resting upon the United states
:" contribute TO and assist the few
thousand people who own property here
and who pay taxes for the benefit and
advantage of the millions which form
the population of this country.
Two Alternatives.
1t would seem to De absolutely
or the other of two thinSs-either per
til4l llt l6Apdytls u ulCIdlG tA II
improvements. collect their own taxes,
and disourse the proceeds rs they light
deem judicious and proper tand this we
apprehend Congress will not do, and
perhaps ought not to do' or, on the
Other hand to continue in the future as
Il has in the past (Which we leg 10
submit is reasonable and proper. 10
control. regulate. and prescribe every
hing pertaining to our local govern
ment, and meet its proper proportion of
The cost. Surely. 10 deprive American
citizens in this Jurisdiction or elsewhere
Of all right to participate in their sf-
fairs. and consequently to be taxed
without any sort OF representation, and
refuse 10 meet proper proportion OF
Inc cost accruing fro msuc.l action. is
an un-AmeriCan. unwise, and lnjudi-
Cious proposition: therefore, be IL
Resolved. by the Brightwood Citi-
zens' Association, in regular meeting
assembled this 18th day Of March, 1914.
That we respectfully protest against
any change in our existing form Of
government or its mode OF adm:nistra-
tion, and We protest against the recent
increase OF assessments IN real properly
in the District of Columbia. because We
believe that such action is burdensone
20 AN extent beyond reason upon our
people and that it produces a revenue
with the United States contribution ex-
geediu: the legitimate needs .f cur Deo-