The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-01-06

LEGISLATION" necessarily makes the cof-
troll OF this body Of land known as tine
District OF Columbia vest IN the Ma
tional Government and makes inns
highest national power the Government
OF this Federal District.
Bitter experiences IN the former Capri
tails OF the United States had caused
tho trainers Of our Constitution 20
place its central seat OF government IN
a location where the national autnor-
ny would be supreme; where It's rec
safe from attack. and where, under
Its own direction, structural plan Tor
upbuildlng and maintenance eould DC
commenced and continued without lIi-
corruption by any lesser OF local au-
In liking the District OF Columbia an
the National Capital and home or the
Government, the Congress did not pro-
coed by capture, condemnation or any
other arbitrary method. IL acquired
political dominion BY cession from the
States of Maryland and Virginia. ana
ownership OF the land b. private coa-
tract, and when all OF this had Deen
done by mutual understanding ancl
definite written agreements and con-
veyances from the proprietors Of the
land, Il laid out a National Capital
and began its construction.
Everyone who has purchased property
within the District OF Columbia since
has done so with TIE knowledge and
distinct understanding that the people
power OF Congress over tho territory eX
| elusive. Everyone who has since adopt
ed the city OF Washington as his home,
has done so with notice that 1t was
beyond even the power OF Congress TO
escape the burden or evade tnN fluty
| imposed by the Constitution, and when
he became resident of WASHINGTON or
acquired property In the District Of Co
lunibia, ne put himself voluntarily W. h
Ia the Government reservation and SUBJ
l fafk 90 ne
and necessities of Congress IN adminls-
| fcrlng the National Government and
building the National Capital might rem
der necessary.
memorable report from the District
Committee as early as February 2, lSS5.
said:
THE design OF the Constitution AID
its founders was to create q residence
for the Government. where they should
have absolute and unlimite dcOnttol
which should be regulated ard governed
by them without the interference Of
partial interests in the states, which
should be built UP and sustained by
| their authority and resources. not de-
pendent upon the will or resources OF
! sny State or local interest"
1 This was the grand plan conceived by
| the fathers Of the Government. the Wis
/ dom Of which grows more and more
apparent with the coming and going OF
| the years.
Major LEnfant. who first drew the
city's plan. said:
| mo nation, perhaps, had ever before
the opportunity offered them of delib-
erately deciding on the spot where their
| ca pital city should be fixed or OF COM
/ bring every necessary consideration an
the choice OF situation. and. although
the means now within the power OF the
country are not such as to pursue the
| design to any great extent, II Will De
obvious that the plan should be drawn
on such establishment which the IN.
crease OF the wealth Of the nation VIII
permit 1t TO pursue at any period. how
ever remote"
The growth OF the city in utility and
in beauty has kept pace with the grow
ing strength Of the nation. Its begin
ming was most naturally restricted be-
cause OF lack of funds. vet the wisdom
OF the founders was such that the clear
est and broadcast view prevailed as
plan for the city which was to be.
1t followed the development Of other
cities except that the others had as their
bases industrial. manufacturing. and
commercial enterprises wherewith TO
build up the city. maintain their public
utilities. and provide their people with
| employment. while the city Of Washing
/ ton has always been practically with
out manufacturing and with but little
commerce. but was the place OF govern
II has always retained its identity as
a National Capital and has never be-
come, as other cities have, mart OF
trade or of commerce,
II has always retained the plan of de-
Velopment forseen with the broadcast
and clearest vision and safe-guarded
through the years.
A great contribution in patriotism and
true citizenship was made by those
citizens of Washington who when the
city was extending its limits through
natural growth, protested against the
n varied and indiscriminate platuns :" o.
be prepared q plan extending to newly
developed territory within the District
OF Columbia the same plan as tnat
made for the original city. which plan
was adopted; so that now and for All
! future time, the beautiful plans OF tne
city of Washington are EXTENDED 70 inc
outermost limits of the entire District;
LET Il not be imagined that inc
: growth in utility and beauty OF the City
/ OF washington was without travail, toi
: the early years Of eighteen nunoreu
saw IL advancing slowly, slowly, ,, W.
always surely and toward oeth'''
Al the time Of the change from that
of town 10 city, Washington was nol
the Washington OF today. but Is sho ostI
: TO be as CO about the year 1Sl q ,t ei.S
, without paving. without proper SanitarA
, conveniences, without proper hSntlnS
! | with Inadequate transportation laclv
ties, lacking in civic convenienees ah'
even From mo' ISL 10 1874 through the ap
! noInted AGENCIES OF the United States
spirited. even drastic, campaign o
, Enforcement in Washington was N
! auRurated and continued which result
ed in the widening. broadening. grad
: ing, nlllng and paving OF many street'
avenues and alleys, the making OF new
: streets, avenues. parks and bouleNaruss
! the building OF both storm and SAM
! farv sewers, the planting OF man
I trees. in short, a radical renewal o
! fhe entire city, but upon the Fome plal
2 az civic grandeur which pTesaged
I beautiful capital city.
h This was attended with RDat eX
Y nense and assessment made against IN
r District OF Columbia and against tn
: owners of property therein and SO op
r nressiye were these imposed taxes AM
i assessments that petitions Of rem"n
I STRANGE against the then governin
= boards we're hied with Congress an
L Committees were appointed to fnYesti
s gate and report upon charges OF eN
: cessiye and needless expenditure an
mismanagement OF the city's affairi
r THE controlling civic body under whic
: these exDenditures were authorize
: was the board of public works. thl
: beinR a part OF tho so-called territoria
government existing in Washington a
/. that time.
{ In June, 1874, By authority OF Con
c gress' the territorial form OF gov
!: eminent was abolished and DistTic
4 control Was placed in the hands q
9 three commissioners, practically tn
u ,ian 'noWy existing, where the two ciVi