Evening star., 1917-12-02
Two House Members Say
Local Residents Should Be
Represented in Congress.
FOR HALF-AND.HALF PLAN

They agreed that national representa-
tion should be granted to the people
of the District Just the same as to the
people in any other state. with two
senators and a representative in Con-
gress. They favor leaving the District
government as 1t is, with a continua-
tion of the half-and-half principle for
financing the National Capital.
'I have always been in favor Of local
self government" said Mr.. Polk. land
I feel especially anxious that the peo-
pie of the National Capital should have
all the rights that are due them. I
would not want to see any suffrage
legislation which would interfere with
the rights of the government in the
District.
Privilege to Federal Employees.
'I believe an important provision of
Ia bill for suffrage in the District
should be that all government employees
who come here to work should be al
lowed to retain the right to vote In
the congressional districts from which
they were appointed.
Before l came to Congress I had a
mistaken notion that the government
bore practically all the expenses Of the
National Capital. Many other people
seem to have the same notion. I have
found that the people here are taxed
as in other places in the country, but
have not familiarized myself with the
rate here. They ought to have some
privileges. some share in the govern
ment, in return for the money they pay
in taxes.
IT have talked this matter over with
many prominent people in Washington
and find very good arguments in ia
vor of granting suffrage here. 1 find
izens, and this government Of equal
rights for all should recognize the
voice of the people and give them what
they demand.
Adverse Arguments fading Away
Through the recent big increase in
population of the District certain con-
ditions which have heretofore been ad-
vanced as arguments in opposition to
granting suffrage here are fading
away.
The people of Washington may feel
assured that I am studying the argu-
ments in this case closely; that am
interested in giving them everything
that we can give them without eArf-
ously interfering with the rights in
the National Capital Of the national
government 1 am sympathetically in
clined. When have thoroughly digest
ed the arguments I will vote both in
committee and on the door Of the House
as my best judgment dictates. I will
not follow the crowd in taking q
crack at the District people because they
can't help themselves I am already in
favor of voting representation for the
District in Congress, and il reason and
justice tell me that the people of Wash
ington should have q right to vote for
= %T~I ~1 Ill = L..
to help get that also for them"
That appropriations made for the
District of Columbia should be gener-
ously gagged is the opinion of Repre-
felt that the city of Washington should
be made the most beautiful city in the
world and that no expense should be
spared in the making.
That during the next session of Con-
gress everything else will have to be
subServient to war measures, he says.
goes without dispute, but in making
necessary appropriations the Congress
should not be actuated by any penny
wise and pound foolish" policies. With
the National Capitals population in
creasing SO rapidly, he sees many
places where greatly increased appro-
priations will be demanded and he feels
that Congress will be as generous as
requirements that have been thrust
upon the capital.
Mr.. Romjue's Position.
Not only to do justice to the Dis
trict in the matter Of allowing TIE resi-
dents to safeguard their own interests
through electing their own represent
atives in Congress, but a broad spirit
of generosity in appropriations for the
National Capital should be the policy
of Congress, according to Representa-
tive Romjue.
''I believe most sincerely that the Dis
trict of Columbia should have repre-
sentation in Congress-" said Mr.. Rom
jue. Members who come here from
distant states are not in close touch
The members of Congress are kept
busy on general legislation. and par
ticularly in looking after the interests
of their own communities. They have
Washington. There should be men in
Congress who are informed. who are
in sympathy with the needs Of the city,
state. They could then acquaint the
other members about the conditions
and needs.
Il believe that the half-and-half prin-
ciple of financing the National Capital
is the best arrangement that could be
government for the District should be
continued.
The National Capital is not a COM
munity that is the concern principally
of the people who live here. 1t is
the home city of the entire country,
and all the people should be interested
in maintaining it as the finest city in
the world, to equip 1t and support 1t.
City Now overcrowded.
TT needs no arguing to show that |
the city is now overcrowded. Big civic !
must be made, a great |
deal of money must be spent on the |
schools and in other public services. I
hope that the members Of the District |
committee will get down to business
right away and give the District all it
needs promptly.
above all don't want to see any one /
playing the country against the Dis
trict. or vice versa. I have no sympathy
with those small minds that would en-
deavor to make capital for themselyesl
In their home district by being niggard-
ly toward the National Capital. What is |
the right thing to do in justice to the
District is the best thing for the menu
hers of the committee and for Congress
as a whole.
whenever the people Of Washington
can show me that what they ask for
the capital is q good business proposal
1t II something to which
they are in justice entitled-Tn be In fAt9
vor and will fight with them"