Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-22
OPPOSES REPEAL
OF HALF AND HALF
Head of BrightWood Citizens
Body Files Brief With Fis-
cal investigators.
SELF-GOVERNMENT
ALSO IS ADVOCATED
Congress Ought to Be Liberal With
Washington, Says Louis P.
Shoemaker.

A vigorous protest against the repeal
of the half-and-half plan Of appropri-
ating for the District of Columbia, by
which the federal government pays
one-half and the District Of Columbia
pays the other half of the expenditures
of the National Capital, Is contained in
a brief filed with the joint select COM
mittee of Congress, now Investigating
the fiscal relation between the United
States and the District Of Columbia.
by Louis P. Shoemaker, president OF the
Brightwood Citizens Association.
IF there exists any practical way by
which a distinction or difference could
be reached between the needs OF
Washington as a local city and WASH
ington as the capital Of the nation, 1t
ought to be ascertained. but this may
he inpossible." says the brief. "Conse-
ouently it appears to be equitable for
the United States to pay at least max tne
expenses in the future, or such otnef
proportion, more or less. TO De ascer-
tanned by the joint select commlttee as
being correct and fair. and this is its
important task.
Liability Now Greater.
1T however, so per cent was proper
in 1873, the governmental liability
might now be considered greater be-
cause Of its larger interests, and be-
cause there is less land left to pay
taxes upon by reason Of constant &C
QUESTIONS by the United States govern
ment."
The brief declares that 1t Is beyond
doubt proper for the people OF WASH
inRton to enjoy ef-government, SUD-
ject to the jurisdiction Of Congress,
levy their own taxes. handle their own
revenues and make their improve.
ments. It points out. however, that
these rights are not accorded to the
citizens Of the District. but all THESE
functions are cared for by Congress.
CONGRESS 1nght to es saws sa t the brief
THAT it should be just was intended py
our forefathers and it is now desired oy
all well disposed men,
Landowners Generous.
It is pointed out that the local land
owners have been very generous 10
the federal government In the past
No other people Of all the people
in the country haze donated as much
money and property as those Of Wash
ington have in the past and are now pro-
viding for the benefit and advantage Of
the Capital city, says the brief. 1t con-
tinues:
washington must be embellshed as
either a local or a federal city. Who
desires it Improved as mere local city?
Are not all the people Of the United
States anxious that 1t should be not
only national in name but also In fact,
from every aspect and In every respect?
Therefore we might well conclude that
1t is impractical, nay, even impossible,
for Washington to be a mere local city.
not only by reason Of the national char
acter stamped upon it by the Constitu-
ton, but because people Of this country
desire and will insist upon the reverse.
Consequently 1t is the duty, and ought
to be the pleasure. Of Congress repre-
senting the country to recognize the
District of Columbia as a ward OF the
nation (Which undoubtedly 1t is), and
act in a spirit OF justice, at least. and
even generosity in behalf of our helpless
and dependent people.