The Washington times., 1916-10-29
DEMOCRATS HERE IN
WILSON DAY. RALLY
Administrations Treatment Of
District Defended by Speak
ers Of Evening.

Defense Of the Democratic Admins
tration's treatment OF the District was
the keynote OF the Wilson Day mass
meeting at Convention Hall last even
ing.
Charles w. Darr. president of tho
Wilson and Marshall Democratic Asso-
ciation. pointed to street improvements
and extension of the street lighting sys-
tenn. asserted that no other administra-
ton had done SO much for the public
schools. and said the most signal
achievement of the Democrats was
casting favoritism out OF the District
building and the Police Department.
Hugh Gordon Miller, formerly a Pro-
Sresslve, defended the conduct of Pres
ident Wilson in foreign relations, and
criticised those who termed him q
weakling' and a coward"
with Thomas A. Edison we observe
their wonderful hindsight." he said.
But In common with other independent
voters, who are about to render judg-
ment, we note their lack of foresight"
Only One With Issue.
Mr.. Miller asserted that the only
leader In the Republican ranks who has
an issue is Theodore Roosevelt but, he
added: He IL on a rampage and the
issue he raises is one OF general bel
liEerency and may lead to war;
In opening the meeting Mr.. Darr read
President Wilson's message to Demo-
Gratis. prepared to be read on Wilson
day.
Before Mr.. Miller began his speech,
Miss Democracy" riding the Demo-
cratic donkey. entered the hall. amid
n 10Th nn saRaA oh laans ..l ~
elephant. Miss Democracy" rode all
about the hall. preceded by a sign bear
ing the legend; Taking the @. o. p.
Into Camp"
Congressional appropriations for the
District. Mr. Darr stated, have averaged
more than a million dollars a year In
excess of the sums during the previous
four years of Republican rule. He said
taxation has kept pace only with IN
creasing values The last appropriation
$2,000,000 in excess OF that ever appropri-
ated by a Republican Congress.
Referring to the Borland amendment.
Mr.. Darr said
Calls It Unfair.
"I have no quarrel with those who
object to this law and who believe that
II Is better In principle that all pay
ments for roadway pavement be made
out of the general tax fund" he said
"HoweSer. 1t is manifesuy unfair TO
accuse Congress Of having done some
thing to the District in this respect
that would not be tolerated by people
in communities where there Is selr-gov-
eminent. The facts are that there Is
but one important city In the United
States where some part OF the road
way paving Is not assessed against the
abutting property owners, and in the
majority Of cities the whole cost or
such improvements Is assessed directly
against the abuttlng property owners.
not a partisan measure. but was put
through by both Democrats and Repuo-
leans. And. however much we may
regret II, II cannot be denied that II
conforms to the general practice In
other American cities.
1.-THE same thing Ia true of the in
tangible personally tax imposed by the
last Congress-, but not yet In effect.
The initiative in the intangible tax agi-
tation was taken by Senator Sterling
of South Dakota, a Republican, and
the proposition was accepted by both
parties in Congress.
"All during the present Admlnistra-
ton there has been a great deal OF
agitation concerning the fiscal relations
between the District Of Columbia and
the United States-the so-called half
and-half fight. The House, by mixed
party vote, has time and again voted
TO abolish the half-and-half plan, and
each time by a bipartisan vote the eff
As n matter OF Gnct, the agitation Is
much ado about nothing. for. after all
Congress appropriates what II pleases
for the services of the District.