Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-02
Disaster or Blessing2


Senator Works in his letter printed
yesterday in The Star pictures an in
spring ideal for the future national
capital He would take away from
Washington the safeguard against ex-
cessive taxation of the unrepresented
which the half and half law supplies.
and he would deprive District residents
Of the remnant of shadowy municipal
representation and government
which a separate District of Columbia
municipality under Washingtonian
Commissioners suggests. But he would
substitute in each case something spe-
officially more desirable. Viewing the
half and half law not as a safeguard
to the District against unjust taxation,
but as a restraint upon the patriotic
beneficence of the nation which wishes
to and should bear far more than half
the burden of capital upbuilding. Sen
ator Works would substitute for the
half-and half plan relation under
self imposed obligation to give any ar
bitrary amount. would without legal
compulsion spend far more on the ma
tons city than it does now. In place of
shadowy and delusive imitation of mu-
nicipal self government he would give
full national representation in Congress
and electoral college. This representa-
tion would also serve as a safeguard
against excessive taxation as a substi
tute for the half and half law.
All that Washington asks of Senator
Works and other warm friends of the
capital who think as he does is that
they do not deprive Washington of the
safeguard which it has without simulta
neously substituting in fact the more
alluring and effective safeguard which
they favor. Many of US believe that
full national representation in Con-
gress and the electoral college will fur
nish a better shield against injustice
than the half -and-ha law provides. But
our constitutional amendment is con-
temptuously shelved in congressional
committees, while repeal of the half
and-half law is Immediately threatened
without any substitute whatever.
That the capitals bone of national
maintenance under the half and half
law is small and unsatisfactory fur
nishes no reason for dropping and los
ing it altogether in order to snap at
fine, large reflection in the water
Senator Works recognizes the burden
of responsibility which falls upon
friends of Washington if they partici-
pate in murder of the half and half
law on the theory that its existence is
hurtful to Washington and restraint
upon national benefcence. The great
majority of US think that it is neces
sary shield and safeguard of the Dis
trict, not to be lost without injury I'M
less an immediate and effective substi-
tute is provided
The joint committee has found that
the half and half law is fair and that
its continued existence injuries no one
unless it is the District The District is
ready to take its chances of injury under
it, until something equally as good is
provided in its place
Why should not all friends of Wash
H. gton unite to oppose the unconditional
repeal at this time of the half and half
Law by rider upon the District appro-
priation bill.
1t has been demonstrated not TO be
necessary 70 kill this Law to do justice
to the nation; why kill it to do justice
to the District, when the conditions give
no assurance that benefit instead Of dis
aster will RESULT
An almost unbearable responsibility
rests upon those who with good intent
toward the District Join with those who
wish TO destroy the half and half law in
order to do the District taxpayers harm.
Suppose these friends guess wrong as
to results, and intending TO benefit inf1ict
irreparable injury.
Suppose their beauty potion for the
National Capital, their water of eternal
life and youth for Washington's pros
perity and welfare, turns out to be
poison and inficts death.