Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-14
IS j. S>|MPOTENT?.
IS D. c. UNFIT?
No. War Shows Power Of Ma
tion to Give and Fitness of
Capital to Receive National
Representation.
VICTORY THROUGH UNITY
THEODORE W. MOVES.
Editorial Correspondence Of The star.1
VICTORY THROUGH UNITY
THEODORE W. MOVES.
Editorial Correspondence Of The Star.l

world-war now ending-the power OF
self-control, self-denial, seH-sacrifice
the power to sweep away every OBJ
stacle, however formidable. including
even constitutional limitations. whose
suspension was demanded by national
safety-the power to arm quickly, to de-
fend effectively and to strike irresistibly
under the inspiration of a just cause,
has taught MS and the world that this
nation is mighty, not impotent.
This demonstration of power shames
the plea that the nation Is impotene
to provide national representation
for the people of its capital without
abandoning necessary national con-
troll Of the nations city.
The suggestion of impotency to cure
the evil of non-representatlve un-
American capital without undermin-
ing the republics foundation stones
and without endangering the national
welfare is an insult to American
ton in the world degrades in ma
tional representation the people of its
capital below the residents of Its
other cities. Can do" is the national
slogan, not Cant do" Nobody has
ever been able. when the real test
came, to induce Uncle Sam to permit
a confession of impotency to continue
long to be the national watchword.
National representation of the Dis
trict will remove from the nation the
instonians the slur of unfitness.
It will proclaim to the world that
the great republic Is as devoted to
the principles Of representative gov
ernment and as capable of enforcing
them as other republics with capi-
tails in nation-controlled districts,
like Mexico, Brazil and Argentina.
These nations have not found them.
selves inlpotent to give full national
representation to the people OF their
capitals.
It will proclaim to the world that
the people of Washington are as fit
to participate in national representa-
tive government as the people Of Rio,
Buenos Aires and Mexico City. WASH
ington will cease to be the only caRf7f
tai in all the world whose people,
sIurred as tainted or defective. are
unworthy to enjoy the same Naei1H44s
representation as that enjoyed by all
other cities Of the nation.
Setting a Bad Example.
From Germany comes the express
sion of desire for a republic like the
United States" The half dozen other
republics, likely to spring from the
Versailles conference, may naturally
feel and express the same desire,
filled as they will be with the graft
tude and admiration which the Unit
ed States, their creator, has inspired.
But in studying the model which
covery which shocks and distresses
them. For example, hear Germany's
tale of embarrassment, II not OF woe:
'I wish to be a republic like the
United States. But I find that one
which Distinguishes it from all other
republics is that it deprives the people
of it's capital of all participation in
the national government, that it is
un-republican, un-democratfc, and
feature Of non-representative au-
tocratic government for the capital
of the new republic is approved
heartily by the ex-kaiser and ex-
crown prince, by Hindenburg and
Ludendorn. by the militarists ana i'm
ally. But I cannot find a city Of the
new republic which is willing to be-
como capital II. as a condition Of the
honor, its people are to be shut out
from participation on equal terms
with other German cities in the new
people Of Berlin are made murderous
by the mere suggestion. The free
cities Of north Germany scoff at the
proposal. I find no German city any
where SO small and low that its
abasement.
What shall I do? Can follow the
American example where 1t Is sound
and wholesome and shun 1t where
it is.evil, without arousing the re-
Ignoring What Is Vicious.
Let the republics which have imi-
tated most closely the United States
make answer. =.
"In shaping my republic" Brazil
says, II copied the United States gov
ernmenta1 system faithfully. including
the creation of a capital in a nation
controlled District; but I was Unable
to follow its example in shutting out
the people of this capital from partici-
patton in the national government.
The people Of Rio de Janeiro are rep
resented in the national government
by three senators elected for nine
years and by ten deputies elected for
three years"
Argentina says: II. too, in following
the example of the North American
controlled District: but I refused to
follow this example when it led from
representative government to autoc-
racy. Buenos Aires is represented in
the national government by two SEN
ators and by members Of the chamber
of deputies, one for each $4,000 inhab-
itants."
Mexico says: "As with the United
States. my congress Is the capitals
exclusive legislature. but, unlike the
United States. my capital has full
representation in the national con-
eress, two senators and one deputy
for each 5000 Inhabitants"
Brazil, Argentina and Mexico have
thus followed the example of the
United States in establishing federal
districts and national capitals distinct