Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-02
National Sentiment and Washington

without doubt Assistant Postmaster
General Dockery voiced a generai
American sentiment when the other
night speaking at a Masonic iouse
banquet in this city. he declared that
the nation is Interested in the develop
ment of Washington, and is Wiling
and anxious to contribute literally 10
make il beyond all doubt the greatest
capital city in the world. MT. Docke'y
has served in Congress, and IS wen
acquainted with the processes or Dis-
trtct legislation. Since his congressional
service he has been back among the
people," and has served as governor OF
his state He is qualified to speak,
therefore, on this question. Washing
ton feels confident that those who un-
derstand the situation are heartily in
favor of continuing the system OF equal
government participation in the upkeep
of the federal municipality. and 1t is
we'll assured that if the matter were
after a full canvass and fair discus
sion submitted to popular vote there
would be an overwhelming sentiment
TOR the maintenance of the partnership
which mas developed to such a mgh
point the Capital city of the United
states
There is ample reason for this feel
ing OF confidence. In the course OF a
year thousands of American citizens
come to Washington from all parts of
the country to attend conventions, or
t. the way of personal expeditions.
and practically without exception these
Visitors are delighted with the present
aspects of the national city and en-
thusiastic for it's possible development.
When the system of administration
which has made possible this capital
evolution since 1878 is explained TO
those not already acquainted with 1t.
they recognize its necessity and its
justice. If at first in the minds OF
some who come here for the first time
there is doubt as TO the reasonableness
of the half-and-half arrangement it re-
qlires bit a simple statement of the
facts relative to District taxation and
a brief outline OF local history to con-
vince them Of the righteousness of this
mode of administration.
When a few days ago the foolish sug-
gcstion was made that the Washington
people, aroused by attacks upon the ex-
listing method of local administration,
we're planning 70 carry war of re-
taliation into the congressional districts
OF it's hostile 1egislators--fooiish be-
cause absolutely without foundation, and
in any event utterly futile-4great outcry
was raised in Congress. As matter Of
fact the people of Washington have for
a long time been conducting a CAM
paign not Of retaliation. but of educa-
ton. right here at the capital. They
nave not pushed this campaign perhaps
as vigorously as they might, for they
have rested In confidence upon the estab-
iished order of things. They do not
need to go to the country with their
statement of the case, for the country
comes TO them, In such numbers and
from such a widely representative sweep
o. territory that in the course of year
they can, through these visitors, speak
u practically all the people Of the
United States. There is surely no con-
Tempt Of Congress in this sort Of a
campaign, and * should be prosecuted
vigorously. that the country may
know. for its own sake, just what Is being
done here. and why, and to what end,
and what would be the result of dis
ruption of existing federal-Distrtct
relations. With the feeling In the states
that Mr.. Dockery has mentioned. this
sort OF work on the part of the Dis
tgict citizens is certain to have the
result Of checking any tendency toward
iconoclastic change.