Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-03-29

decides through Congress all corporate
business questions, the initiative in sug-
costing action being conceded to the 9TH
er stockholders. the local taxpayers. who
through the Commissioners submit in the
shape Of estimates. upon which congress
sional action Is had. the views and wishes
of these local taxpayers. Thus TO an eN-
tent which prevails in harily any other
large American city the will of the tax
payers is represented in the action taken
by Congress on estimates submitted by
the Commissioners.
National Representation Wanted.
But conceding that the present munici-
pal government is best for the capital
under the conditions which surround it,
and that while practically efficient,
economical and businesslke it offends no
great American political principle. can
we say the same of refusal to Washing
tonians of the privilege of participa-
ton as Americans in the national govern
ment? Conceding that the nation should
continue To govern and control the cap
ital through Congress. why should not the
Americans in the District of Columbia be
treated as a part of the nation which is
to exercise this exclusive control, and De
permitted in proportion to their number
representation in this government which
is to control them, to tax them, to send
them to war, to dispose of their property
and of their lives? The Americans in the
District of Columbia, constituting much
more than the average number of Amer.
leans represented by each member OF
Congress; living within Well defined geo.
graphical limits and possessed of more
than the average of intelligence and good
citizenship; paying all national taxes. d.
rect and indirect, and responding to the
entitled on general principles to represen-
tation In the national legislature. and
would enjoy 1t If this leg Stature were not
also their exclusive local or municipal
Legislature. This fact instead of barring
them from representation ought to be
viewed as giving them double right to
such representation. OF all Americans
they would seem to be most entitled to
representation in a legislature which is
their own nationally to the same extent
as in the case of all other Americans. and
which is in addition their exclusive state
legislature, their board of aldermen and
common council.
There is, In brief. no suggestion that
under the differing conditions there Is
any duty on the part of the nation to
initiate in Washington the municipal
lf-government of Buenos Aires and
Rio. or that any benefit would be en-
joyed by the American capital through
such imitation.
But can the same concession be made
in respect to the failure to follow the
example of Argentina and Brazil in
giving the capital representation In the
national government, in the Congress.
and local legislature? What possible
injury can the nation suffer from per-
hitting this American representation?
What possible plausible excuse can be
devised for denying 1t?
I have indicated my belief that the
South American republics. while ex-
ceiling as city builders, are deficient
in practical appreciation OF the true
principles Of representative govern
ment. May they not. on the basis of
sentation In the national government
for the District Of Columbia. turn the
tables on US and suggest that in this
matter we betray that we have no real
appreciation of those principles our
selves?
1t is assumed that national represen-
tation for the District can be secured
only by a constitutional amendment
Our Constitution is amended, even in
cases Of the clearest necessity. only
or after long delays and preliminary de-
feats in the campaign against inertia.
Practically national representation for
Washington may therefore be post
poned long after the justice of such
representation Is generally conceded
His Other Capital Constituency.
Meanwhile each representative in the
House. shouldering his share Of RESPONSE
bility for an unnecessarily sweeping de-
NAL OF American rights to certain Ameri-
cans. should recognize that under the
Constitution he represents two constit-
uencies. the one at home, which elected
him, and another composed OF the people
Of the District Of Columbia; and that his
oath Of office puts upon him burden OF
responsibility in guarding and fostering
the interests Of both constituencies. If
in meeting conscientously this dual obi
cation he studies the facts and figures
relating to the District he may find that
his capital constituency Is more populous
than his home constituency. and con-
tributes more In national taxes. direct
and Indirect, through internal revenue
taxation and In customs duties. either
through custom house contributions or
as consumers of imported articles carry
ing the heaviest burden Of customs taxa
tion. In 1909 the District Of Columbia
contributed in internal revenue collections
to the national treasury more than six
territories. The per capita contribution
Of the District In internal revenue taxa
ton for that year was greater than that
Of twenty-five states and all four terri.
tories Investigation win also teach the
earnest. thoughtful legislator that the bur-
den Of municipal taxation imposed by
Congress upon the local taxpayer Is fully
as heavy as that which the average self
governing American municipality imposes
upon Itself and in VIEW OF tn the Pseu, ma,
labors, its tax is harder to meet than
that of the average American community.
OF the l57 cities, excluding Washington,
which exceeded $4,000 in population in
1907. 1O7 had smaller per capita tax levies
than Washington and 43 larger. OF the
group Of cities in the Washington class
Cleveland, Buffalo. Detroit. Cincinnati.
Nil waukee, New Orleans. Newark. Min
neapolis, Louisville. Jersey City, Indian
apolis and st. Paul-six had in 1907 a
levy than Washington. OF these twelve
cities nine had In the same year smaller
per capita property valuation than Wash
ington. and three a larger valuation.
In the light OF these facts IN respect 10
both national and local taxation the In
vestigator will. 1t Is hoped. catch the full
spirit Of the conscientious and enthusiast
tic legislator for the capital. and will In
any event refrain from slurring his CAPT.
tai constituency by the suggestion that
to national taxes by his average home
constituent is being squandered in graft
fication of the extravaganza OF the pau
pers and mendicants OF the District OF
Columbia.
The impulse to political consideration
for the people Of Wash. ngton. aroused by
the example of Buenos Aires and Rio. Is
thus limited to national representation
for them on American principles. and
since a constitutional amendment is held
to be necessary for the extension of this
privilege. Its enjoyment may be reason
ably postponed The lessons. however.
taught by the South American cities in
respect to the mater al and artistic de-
tenance of the capital have an immediate
urgent and vital application.
Buenos Ares and R.C give hints OF
value. both to those OF us who are