The Washington times., 1915-10-22
Cuv Is Nations Ward,
Says Shoemaker Brief
Protest Against Any Reduction In Federal Govern
ment's Contribution Made In Document Filed by
Head of Brightwood Citizens Association.

Louis p. shoemaker. president OF the
Brightwood Citizens Association. ana
q large holder Of real estate. nied
brief today with the Congressional haif-
and half investigating committee. pro-
testing against any reduction IN the
Federal Governments contribution 10
the District Of Columbia.
Mr.. shoemaker contends that WASH
ington should be developed as a ma
tional rather than a local city. ana the
burden Of It's deve' opment should fall
on the United States rather than over
taxed citizens who happen to reside
here.
washington must be cmbellished as
either a local or a Federal city says
the brief. "who desires It improved
as a mere local city? Are not all the
peorte Of the United States anxious that
IL should be national not only In name
but from everv aspect and In every
respect?
Not Mere Local City.
Therefore. we might as we'll con-
clude that II 10 impracticable. nay, even
impossible. for Washington to be a mere
local city. not only by reason Of the
ma tionai character stamped on It by
the Constitution. but because people or
this country desire and will insist upon
the reverse. Consequently, II Is the
duty and ought to be thc pleasure OF
Congress to recognize tire IL nc
Columbia as ward OF tne nation
(which undoubtedly It is) and act In
crosby. in behalf OF our helpless and in
dependent people"
Situation "Un-American."
Mr.. Shoemaker refers at length to the
"un-American" situation presented hero
by a people taxed without representa-
ton and denied the right Of self-gov-
eminent. He refers to the steady ac-
QUESTION OF private property by the
United States Government. much OF this
property having been donated by In
dividuais. He continues:
THE United States has taken all the
real estate that the local landowners
were willing to donate. amounting TO
very large quantity. and It has pnr-
time to time for national purposes. thus
recognizing by accepting these donn-
lions and by making these purchases the
property rights of the local landowners.
City's Donation Large.
mo other people of all the people In
this great country have donated as
much money and property as those OF
Washington have In the past. and are
now providing for the benefit and adj
vantage of the Capital City of our coun-
try.
exclusive Jurisdiction given to Congress
nv the Constitution over the District Of
Columbia which has created and Is now
enforcing evil and hardship but II Ia
the unfair exercise Of that power which
has operated and now imposes v in;%s''i is
not bad (except It Is un-American) IL
we have good administrators. but tyran-
meal in the hands Of those having no
substantial interest here. men whom
selves are strangers to the property
owners What other community would
be satisfied with this condition?
Congress Should Be Liberal.
Congress ought to be fair and even
liberal with Washington. That II an onld
be lust was intended by our forefathers
and Is now desired by all we'll disposed
men: to be liberal would involve an al.
most infinitesimal expense upon others
of the United States. who are ready and
willing to bear II. not only because they
believe In Justice for local landowners
| ton embellished. enlarged, and i'm.
| proved. so that II will become not only
greater pride Of the nation but the
admiration Of the wQrld. and they Know
that far more than local expense mus,
be- involved to accomplish this result
Mr.. Shoemaker contends that tn,
street extension plan in Washington Il
national In scope. "and was designed b,
Congress without the request OF Distric
| people and over the protest OF many.
A local street extension system. n
AYERS. could have been established a
one-fourth the cost. He continues:
THE old city Is essentially Residential
In character; the new and greater
| Washington will undoubtedly be NOR