Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-05-06
Obligation of U. S. to Seat of
Government Recognized by
Fathers of Nation.
NATIONAL SHOW PLACE
PLAN FOR WASHINGTON
E. F. Colladay Reviews Fiscal Rela-
lions Before Chevy Chase Citi-
zens' Association.

Empha sizing evidence of the primary
liability of the federal government and
the people of the United states for the
upkeep on a scale of aGnilcence OF
the seat of government as the original
plan of the fathers of the nation. CON
CURED in by later generations of law
makers and frequently enumerated IN
Congress as the principle guiding con-
sideration Of the affairs of the District
of Columbia. +. +. Colladay. president
of the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tions, reviewed law and history throw
ing light on the relations OF the red
eral government and the corporation
of the District of Columbia, speaking
last night before the Chevy Chase Cit
liens Associa ton. Mr.. ColladaS, a
member of this association. said that
he spoke as a member to his associate
members, and not as representative OF
any organization.
"A temple dedicated to liberty was
the idea of National Capital enter
tainment by the fathers. declared re-
port of the judiciary committee OF the
House of Representatives, reporting on
the conditions that brought about
congressional investigation in 1914 ana
resulted in the adoption OF the Organic
act. Their thought was look into
the future for the accomplishment OF
q monumental city at great expense,
beyond their means at that time, winch
they expected later generations to &C
complish.
tn nationalizati scheme. which
emo ,lieS this principle, was the SUB
Zee of report at the same perloo'
ftttu= TO Congress by Senator Morrill,.
THIS propose that the District Of Co
luz. il be instituted as a department
OF ,'t federal government, admins
ter,; ~ board OF regents or gov
errors The plan recognized the Ia
!ilss ~ tie nation rather than OF the
T.-Sf1....t, OF the District of Columbia
fu. Lh, *! lenses of a city intended to
-. Gat:onal show place.
I- roper question is not now
lzlu.. s..all the federal government
cuI..Eltute to the upkeep, but how
GrU,n shall the people of the District
OF Columbia contributed" commented
sir ColIadav. He considered this point
Of view justified by the law and other
considerations.
No Time for Mud Singing.
In view of the investigation now
undertaken by joint committee Of
Congress. he urged that this is no
time for mud singing or to indulge in
opprobrious epithets. He considered
that the present task is the assembly
of the proper array of data, facts, fig
ures, law and evidence to support the
case of the people of the District of
Columbia.
He also referred to the fact that sug-
Hestion has been made that the powers of
the joint committee of Congress investi-
eating the fiscal relations of the federal
government with the District Of Column
bic should be enlarged He thought 1t
possible that the scope of the inquiry
might be broadened. but expected that
the representatives of the interests of
local residents would be prepared with
material to meet any view of the case.
Mr.. Colladay's review was chronology
.iected with the development Of the Dis
trict of Columbia. He cited the consti-
tutional provision for the establishment of
the seat of government and defining the
authority over it. of the national govern
ment. He read from portions of the
residential act" of July 9. 1890. estab-
fishing the District of Columbia as the
proposed seat of government
inaI owners coded their holdings to the
government. and the obvious deductions
to be drawn from the terms of agreement,
were also set forth. This indicated that
ture generations to carry on a plan of
magnificent development that that gen.
GRAFTON was not able to finance.
Historical Sketch of District.
In an historical sketch of the seat
of government Mr.. Colloday pointed
out that the District of Columbia was
governed under a mayor from 1902
un-il 1871, as a territory from 1871 to
1874: under a temporary commission
froInJ1S74 to 1878: and since that time
under a permanent form of commission
government.
Financial disaster has threatened the
District of Columbia at various times.
In 1890 the corporation was in debt