Evening star., 1918-02-16
Both Political and Financial Equity

How can Congress defend threat to
withhold or violate financial equity IL
Washington successfully petitions to 1t
for political equity? The recent fiscal
Investigation Convinced Congress and
the nation that the local community
was contributing not too little, but
more than its share to the maintenance
and development of the capital; that
the nation itself was contributing not
too much, but too little for the same
purpose.
If we now proposed to destroy ma
tional control of the capital through
Congress and to transfer that control
to a new sovereign state of Columbia.
there might be force to the suggestion
that as obligation goes With power. the
national obligation would cease. il the
national power over the capital ceased.
But District national representation
by constitutional amendment does not
in the slightest lessen national power
and control in the District. and conse-
cuently does not reduce in the slight
est the national obligation
When the District secures voting
repr esentation in Congress it will SIM
litically of the nation which that Con-
gress represents, and its half million
people will be placed on equal terms In
national representation at least with
among the millions in the rest of the
continental and contiguous United
States.
We shall become through our repre-
sentatives a part OF Congress. but we
shall take no power from that Con-
gress. Since national power and con-
troll in respect to the capital are unim-
paired. the national obligation to par
ticipate in maintenance and develop
ment of the National Capital is unim-
paired also.
National representation for the District
will furnish, therefore, no excuse for Con-
gress to become shirker and Stacker in
respect to capital legislation and appro-
ital as before. and will be solely RESPONSE
BILE for District legislation. whether or not
the District is represented in it.
Representation in Congress will never
strated to be an American vital privilege
which, under all the conditions, equity
demands If its equity is thus demon
to Congress the inconceivable meanness
Of refusing financial equity II political
equity is successfully sought?
Two Equities Hand in Hand.
Instead Of being antagonfstic the
half-and-half plan and national repre-
sentation for the District are sympa-
thetic and supplemental Both are
manifestations Of the spirit of 'fair
play for Washington" Both are rooted
in the principle Of square deal for
the capital" Equity for the nations
city involves both financial equity and
political equity. and the two equities
go hand in hand.
Whatever one has in mind an benz
aeial to Washington, II 1t IL to be Sc
cured from Congress, In brought nearer
to realisation by adoption Of this
amendment. For it prepares the way
for us to get voting power in a body
in which we are now fmpotent; and our
ability and our likelihood to secure any
of this desired LEGISLATION will be in
hnitely enlarged.
equity of national representation can
not be enjoyed by the District without
sacrifice OF financial equity in its re-
lation to the nation. On the contrary,
sentation is the strongest and perhaps
the only reliable guarantee of stability
Of the nation in financial equity toward
the people OF the capital The half
slightest by national representation.
Its continued existence is. on the other
hand. guaranteed as long as it remains
equitable; and when the time comes to
frame a substitute for this law ma
tional representation will arm the Dis
frict with power to cause the succeed
ing financial system to be based upon
the principles of justice and wisdom
in which the half-and-half law is
rooted.
Thus national representation. instead
of destroying the half-nnd-half law or
the principle of financial equity upon
which 1t IN founded. Will strengthen and
confirm that principle, SO vital to the
capitals welfare.