The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-11-07

should unquestionably rest with Congress,
rather than with the people OF the Dis
trict. 1t is the mecca for visitors from
every State in the Union, and these Wis
itors take a personal pride in having the
streets well paved. well shaded and well
lighted: in finding an abundant supply Of
pure water. model sewerage system and
beautiful parks. They take very little in
terest. however. in plans or projects for
the moral. social or educational develop
ment of the community. These questions
are local questions and in legislation upon
such matters the wishes of the residents
of the District should largely govern. and
10 this end an opportunity should be af
fOrded them 10 voice their views on all
questions which do not conflict with what
may be termed the national side Of the
city's development.
I'm the absence of any legally au-
thorized means of voicing public opinion.
dependence has been-had upon the vari-
Gus civic associations of the District. but
these as now constituted. cannot be con-
sidered as fully representative of the en-
tire community. far better plan for
giving the people a share in the manage
ment of their affairs should be devised.
and such a plan might well include rep
resentation in Congress.
Present Plan Best.
While the responsibility for the Capt.
tai cannot be divided between Congress
and the residents. ii is believed that the
interests of both can be better served BY
adherinG generally to the present plan,
whereby the municipality is maintained
as a separate and distinct municipality.
than II the District is abolished as such
and merged into the Federal govern
ment.
Il am also of the opinion that the de-
veIopment OF the District. both as
National Capital and as a place Of resi-
dence for $4,000 people. will progress
more rapidly and more satisfactorily II
the United States continues to contrib
ute a fixed proportion of the expenses
than if the District revenues are covered
into the Treasury and appropriations
made for the support Of the District.
irrespective of these revenues.
1T seems to me that this Is a part
nership. with the United States as the
senior partner. and that. like business
partnerships. the burdens and the profits
should be proportioned to the interests
Of each.
1t is fair to assume that during a
large part of the thirty-seven-year pc
riod in which the half-and-half principle
has prevailed the interests of the two
partners were equal. but whether they
are equal at this time depends upon the
relative growth of each during recent
years.
Question for statisticians.
After mature consideration. though
with only one years experience as
Commissioner. l have reached the con-
CIusion that the community interests are
growing more rapidly than the Federal
interests, and that the Federal govern
ment is bearing an undue proportion of
the tax burden.
Just what reduction should be made
is a question for the statistiCians, and
ca only be determined by comprehen-
sive survey and appraisal of existing con-
ditions Objection is made to any fixed
proportion on the ground that condi-
tons are constantly changing a new
proportion would have to be worked out
each year. but representation in Con-
gre. is based upon a census taken every
ten years and remains unchanged during
such a period regardless of varying con-
dtiOns. l think a like principle should
be applied in proportioning the cost of
maintaining the District % Columbia.
and that once determined. this proportion
she lid remain unchanged for a reason
able period.
Assuming the propofti to have been
fixed. ] feel that Congress should appro-
pirate for the District according to its
needs. and the Districts share should be
raised by taxation at such a rate as will
produce the sum desired. Most other
communities have a fiuctuating tax rate
and there does not appear to be any good
reason why Washington should be ex-
cepted in this respect"