Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-19
ADVOCATES HOME RULE
FOR NATIONAL CAPITAL
Michael I. Weller Says District
Should Manage Its Own
Affairs.
Terms Duration of Present System
as the Forty Years of
Despotism."

Self government for the District was
advocated last night by Michael l. Wei
Ter before a largely attended meeting Oh
the Study Club in Economics at inc
Public Library. He traced the history OIL
the District since it was made the ma
tional Capital, praised the work OF 'he
mayors of Washington, and SPOKE VI
the duration of the present form OF gov
eminent as ''the forty years Oh ues-
potsm.'
Following Mr. Welier's address letter
was read from Representative Prouty OIL
Iowa. in which he said the people OIL
the District should run their own local
affairs and added that, because OF the
character of it's inhabitants its location
and other advantages, Washington Is tue
best place in the country TO have a mooei
city government
"Bugaboos'' to Scare Timid'
Mr.. Weller said that two ''buEaboos
have been held up to prevent local sen
government 1T the District. He gave
them as the large negro population ana
The fear that il the people of Washing
ton run their own affairs the federal gov
ernr,ent will not contribute to the eA-
penses here He said both are uh-
founded. ,..:. 10
Tracing the history of the Dlstrlct, ne
said that Georgetown was an important
,II.ce before Washington became the
national capital, and that the site OF
the capital was not "lloclneSs'
Some Deople claim. The people OF
GEORGETOWN retained the right OF SUI
frage for many years, he added.
Not Intent of Trainers.
Answering the argument that in the
Constitution exclusive right to gov
eminent the District was retained 10
the federal government, Mr.. Weller SAID
that this did not mean that the people
should not run their own local AFFAIRS
This was not the intention of the fran
ers of the Constitution. he said, read
ing from the f'ederalst ana from
supreme Court decisions to uphold his
contention.
we are not beggars,'' continued Mr..
Weller. "All we want is justice, and l
believe Congress will give 1t to US
when il knows the facts.
He traced the various changes in the
government here. mentioning particular
" the tine after the civil war when
the negroes were given the ballot over
city. Trouble followed this innovation,
he said. During the time of the terri
IoriaI form of government. he said. all
the important officials were appointed,
and the people really had no power.
Faults of Present System.
Speaking of the shortcomings of the
present form of government, he said
that the bad alleys Of slums could not
exist if permits to build in them were
rot given. He also criticised the impo-
sition of water tax. He spoke of how
lights on roads leading into the city We're
eXtinguished early, while lights on the
Avenue of the Presidents kept on burn
ing He also spoke Of the fact that IRE
qrently out-oftown people are appointed
to District offices. He added that day
laborers employed by the District should
be put on a weekly or monthly basis
before the pay of the Commissioners is
raised
Mr. Weller's address was discussed by
DIT. George F. Bowerman, Julian Pierce,
Thomas E. Will and others The ma
jority OF them wanted local self govern
Inent for the District. but insisted that
a commission or city manager plan should
be adopted.