Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-29

LII EV LINING SIAh, Z
slum conditions for the poorest paid
class of workers in this city.
THE present system has encouraged
| mendicancy and extravaganza. If we
| had to pay the full cost of all local
! improvements from the District reve-
nues, we would draw the line against a
great many schemes for large expendi-
lures of funds for the District. Census
figures show that Washington is a
very costly city as compared with other
cities of the same size.
Government Is Efficient.
ut is only just to say that the mu-
nicipal government of Washington un-
der the present system has been mark
ed by a high degree of efficiency. as
compared with other cities. The men
selected for the office of Commissioner
have usually been men Of high intelli-
geuce and character. In my judgment,
the present District administration is
an exceptionally able and progressive
one and is as democratic in it's meth
DDS as is possible under an autocratic
form of government. frequently hold
ing public hearings in which citizens
of the District are invited to state
their wants.
'1n summing up. it may be said that
the present system is very far from
being a perfect one. 1t has some ad-
vantages and some disadvantages. Per-
haps it's worst feature is the spirit OF
subserviency and mendicancy which it
| develops. Its best feature has been
that it is pulling the District out of
debt and has laid the foundations for a
beautiful and worthy national capital.
Coming now to the second head. we
have to consider for moment the
paramount authority of Congress in
this federal District, and also whether
| it is necessary or desirable to have
local self-government in order that
Washington may be made the model
city and the worthy National Capital
which it should be.
Desire a Model City.
I'm spite of the prevailing apathy and
Indifference there are many of the resi-
dents of this city who desire to help
in the development of a model city.
Some of US would like to see modern
municipal markets, coal yards and Ice
plants in this city. We would like to
see our alley slums eliminated and san
itary dwellings, provided at a low rental
| for those who are now crowded to-
gether in disease-bre eding quarters.
We should like to see Great Falls de-
veloped, so that our city streets and
at minimum cost.
But our hands are tied until Con-
greSS says the word and appropr1ateS
the money. We have a local govern
ment, but officially at least we have no
voice in its management We may count
ourselves fortunate II occasionally we
can secure a hearing before one of the
District committees Of Congress on be-
half of some local measure in which
we are interested.
is this a rational state of affairs?
Is 1t right that practically nothing may
be done for the civic life of Washing
ton except by federal officials.
we are told that Washington must
be great national city, but can 1t be
truly American city so long as it is
not governed in accordance with the
principles upon which our republic was
founded? To be a great national cap
ital Washington must have not only
magnificent avenues. boulevards, parks
and monuments-not only beautiful ex-
ternals-but 1t must have a well devel-
opend civic life, and be animated by the
soul of democracy. without which the
external beauty Of the city will soon
perish.
Room for Self-Government.
Under the Constitution, national con-
troll and national authority will always
prevail in this federal District, but
there is room enough for subordinate
political body through which the resi-
dents of the District may live their
own municipal life. Just as states grant
charters to cities without impairing
state authority, SO may the national
government grant a charter for local
purposes to the city of Washington
without impairing in any way the par
amount authority of the national gov
eminent.
Il have shown the desirability OF
local self-government in the District,
provided that it is constitutional and
practical BILE. l come now to the third
| point. Is there any valid reason why
the residents of this federal District
should be deprived of any Of the rights
of American citizenship?
I'm the brief of the citizens Joint
committee, certain court decisions are
the residents of the District have no
political and few judicial rights.
Our friends of the citizens joint
committee seem to say to Congress.
with tears in their voices, We are in an
abject and fallen condition. We have
no rights and we are glad Of it. But
when it comes to money matters, we
insist that the nation shall be generous
to US.
Congress Recognized Right.
What are the historical facts? By
section of the Constitution, Congress
Is empowered to exercise exclusive
legislation in all cases whatsoever over
such district mot exceeding ten miles
square) as may. by cession of particu-
lar states and acceptance of Congress,
become the seat of the government of
the United States But prior to 1871
IL does not seem to have occurred to
any one that people residing in the
District should be denied the right OF
municipal self-government.
in 1902 Congress granted Its first
charter to the city of Washington.
which enjoyed the right of local self
| torial form of government was ushered
in. The question whether Congress has
the power to delegate authority to a
subordinate body in the District of Co.
lumbia is settled by the historical fact
that Congress, between 1902 and 1871,
granted a series of municipal charters
to the city of Washington.
las an Offset to the hopeless humility
of the citizens joint committee, I want
to call attention ts a few refreshing
minority reports submitted to the SEN
ate July II, 1877, by Senator George E.
Spencer of Alabama, In which he pro-
tested against the abandonment OF pop
ular government in this District.
Senator Spencer was Jenersonian
democrat, and an American of the good
old school His ideas are as valid to-
day as they were thirty-eight years
ago and the time Is not far distant
when they will be enacted into law
There is really nothing which need
OF 70 NJ rnnnIQr