Evening star., 1915-01-06
NOSTRUMS TRIED
UPON THE DISTRICT
Political Experiment Station of
Nation, Says Representa-
tive Moore.
FOE OF ANY CHANGES
IN HALF-AND-HALF PLAN
Columbia Heights Citizens Adopt
Bundy Resolution Urging Reten-
tion Present Financing Method.

sylvania thinks should be conferred on
the District Of Columbia by reason of
the agitation concerning the govern
ment of the National Capital in re-
cent years.
At a meeting Of the Columbia Heights
Citizens Association, held in the parish
hall of st. Stephens Church last
night, Representative Moore strongly
scored those responsible for legislation
inimical to the best interests of the
capital, as seen by it's residents and
the majority of the people of the coun-
try, and advised patience on the part
of District residents until such time as
hostile Legislators shall pass away
into that retirement which an aroused
public sentiment passes them to with
or without their consent"
Defender of Capital.
Former Commissioner Henry L. West
introduced Representative Moore as
one who has defended US in. the
House of Representatives, where we
should need no defense" and said:
He comes from the City of Brotherly
Love, and certainly he has more than
tall"
The address of Representative Moore
was judged a. fitting climax by the
members of the association to the res
olution offered by Judge Charles S.
Bundy in the early part of the meeting.
This resolution, passed unanimously by
the association, protested against any
change in the existing form of govern
ment of the District, and gave In
twelve parts reasons upholding the
present half-and-half plan, the object
of the resolution being, in Judge
Bundys words, ito state the undent-
able facts on the basis of which the
taxpayers Of the District should stand
and intend to stand"
Breeding Spot for Nostrums.
"The District is the breeding spot
for legislative nostrums that were Gre
ated in the brains of gentlemen whose
ideas do not always conform to the
Constitution" declared Representative
Moore. Il am one who for the last
three years has sat in Congress in
utter amazement. A gentleman comes
in from Iowa, after a large experience
on the farm, and assumes that every
thing is wrong in the District Of Co
lumbia. A gentleman comes in from
Oklahoma and says. I'll say things
about 'em that will make the folks
down home think am some pumpkins
You will have to be patient. for
these gentlemen who have come to
colonial forefathers who have gone
away and come back to find that the
old home is all wrong.
Wants Beautiful Capital.
But have no patience with those
who want to take away from the Dis
trict Of Columbia. I want to see the
capital of my nation a capital beautiful,
spectacle for all those who may
come, not a gaudy show. but an or
derly plan. 1 want to see the spirit
Of the city improved until it is mani
fest in architecture. I want to see the
ungainly buildings on Pennsylvania
avenue torn down and stately buildings
erected from the Capitol to the White
House. I hope to see it in my day,
but If not hope to see the beginnings.
This work should not be done by the
District Of Columbia, but by a great.
rich, grateful nation.
Count me now, as always, one of
those friends who will strive to make
Washington the greatest capital in the
world. II I had my way it would be
and l believe that the people Of this
country not only should but are willing
to pay for such a city.
Would Not Take Advantage.
Perhaps there are as few men any
where" said the representative, who
would take an unfair advantage of the
government as are in the District of
Columbia.
IF we feel that we are not well gov
erned we at least have the satisfac-
tion of knowing that in times gone by
others were more lilly governed There
are thoseof US who have wanted the
city to advance, but we are patient un-
til we are able to do for ourselves
elsewhere what we want to do for the
District. The time will come. And why
should you be patient? Because we Of
larger cities have to be patient"
Warns Against Attacks.
Representative Moore warned the
citizens against too violent attacks
against those in power in Congress.
saying:
ut does not pay always to attack
those who happen to have power.
Members of Congress are human, and
they can be rubbed the wrong way"
Pointing out the anomalous condi-
tion of representation which exists for
sional committees, Representative
Moore said:
You should have some direct repre-
sentation. Whether It should be a rep
10 IOT you 10 QeC1Qe. But
If they paid me twice my present sal
ary I would not want the job"
Representative Moore asserted that
Congress devotes too much time. to
minor District affairs which could be
better handled by the Commissioners.
Judge Bundy's Resolution.
Judge Bundy's resolution, which
started the discussion. states, in part:
I'VE respectfully protest against any
change in the existing form of govern
ment of this District, or its mode of
administration, unless and until after
the fullest consideration by Congress
Of the history of the District and it's
relations to the general government
at public meetings whereat the Dis
trict shall be intelligently and ably
represented.
"The existing form of government.
including the half-and-half plan. was
adopted after the fullest consideration
by five congressional committees in
Guiding two joint committees, studying
the subject between the years 1874 and
1878.
"It has been termed by the United
States Supreme Court the organic act
and the constitution of the District
and certainly 1t should not be lightly
or hastily changed by a rider foisted
onto a District appropriation bill in
the heat of partisan debate.
Has Borne Test of SO Years.
This half-and-half plan has borne
the test of thirty-six years expe-
he