Evening star., 1916-04-14
The Psychological Moment.

Whlle this constitutional amendment
should be adopted, whatever the inan-
cial relations of nation and capital,
this is obviously the psychological mo-
ment to push for national representa-
tion for the people of the District.
Readjustment of the relations of ma
tion and capital. as fixed by the law
of 1878. is under consideration. The
Joint fiscal committee has reported in
respect to the financial relation. The
political and financial relations under
the act of 1873 are inseparably inter-
twined. No readjustment of ore is
possible without affecting the other.
More consideration should be given
to the people of Washington in respect
to representation in any readjustment
of the governmental relation fixed by
the act of 1878.
In 1873 the District had not the popu-
lation which each representative in the
House represented, and was therefore
not entitled to consideration as an ap-
plicant for quasi statehood. The ter
rltorlal government to which its popu-
latfon entitled 1t was destroyed by the
organic act. Today the District ex-
ceeds several of the states in popula-
ton and in contributions to national
taxes in time of peace and of soldiers
above it's quota in time of war
In any readjustment of the organic
act consideration should be given to the
change in conditions in the local com
munity. and this change should be re-
f1ected in a grant of full representation
in Congress to the local community by
an amendment of the Constitution. not
interfering, however. with the supreme
control Of the District by Congress.
In deciding that the 100, 900 900 of the
nation rather than the $4,000 Of the
District should control. govern and
build up the capital. it is not necessary
to eliminate all traces of Americanism
fv(,r hA
the sacrifices absolutely essential to the
national safety or the national interest
should be demanded of them.
Many Presidents. including conspicu-
ous1y Jackson and William Henry Har-
rison. have vigorously proclaimed this
doctrine. l urge that you consider care
fully in readjusting the relations of ma
tion and local community the rights,
the privileges and the interests of the
latter. Clearly the nation must control
it's capital. and Just as clearly in ex-
ercisinS this control it must safeguard
and satisfy every American right and
privilege in the 100000 Americans of
the capital which is consistent with
that control.
In developing the material capital of
buildings. avenues. parks and trees and
monuments, let us not efface from the
calculation the people of Washington,
If men, and not inanimate things, con
stitute the state. so men constitute the
city.
The vital point of benefit in the or
ganic act was the tardy recognition by
the nation of its capital obligation. This
recognition was expressed both in its
assumption of exercise OF all govern
ing functions aud in it's pledge of
steady annual substantial municipal
support in minimum amount equal to
the sum which Vt exacted in taxes from
an unrepresented community, Both
provisions together constitute the or
sanic act. 1t is the financial provision
or me organic act which is attacked
and 1T is consequently that provision
which Is emphasized in defense The
political and financial provisions are
coupled together; if one is disturbed a
readjustment of both is in equity in
evitable Obligation is coupled with
power, and unless Congress will stimuli
taneously deal with the subject of gov
ernmental control and the political re-
lation Of nation and capital it may be
changed the financial relation which in
the act Of 1878 is SO coupled with it.
The Example Of Other Nations.
Every nation In the world except the
United States gives to the people of it's
| capital the same national representa-
! tion that the people of it's other cities
enjoy. Even nations like Argentina.
| Brazil and Mexico, which have copied
our constitutional provision of a ma
eral district. have found no difficulty
in giving full national represent alton
to the people residing in these nation
controlled capitals. Are we alone as a
nation impotent to prevent the mon
strous anomaly of republican capital
populated by people who are politically
outside of the nation?
No other capital in the world. where
any form of representative government
prevails, lacks national representation.
What population must Washington at
| tain before 1t loses this discreditable
distinction? Half a million? A million?
Two millions:
The statements that I have made in
respect to national representation of
capitals are confirmed by table sub
mitted by me to the joint fiscal COM
| mittee and printed in the report of the
hearings.
I have a copy of that table here which
| I submit. and will read the answers
to the questions whether national rep
resentation is granted to the people of
Il