The Washington herald., 1922-11-04
A Good Omen.

~ T is not often that Senator is called to ac-
- count among his constituents for his acts
in connection with the local government OF the
= District Of Columbia. The constituents of most
Senators have only indistnct idea that there is
any local government in the National Capital. They
: are supremey unconcerned about what their rep
: Ecsentatives do to the people of Washington. On
District measure the average member OF the SEN
sseste or House vote just he pleases-with
every suppose that it have effect
s-on his political fortunes at home.
4, We glad to see the Baltimore Sum- however,
speak sharply to Senator France matter
erwhich primarily the people of the District
q Of Columbia. Not that the senior Senator from
Maryland has been a particularly notable sinner.
In fact. not that he has been a sim
at all Our pleasure is simply because OF the
tact that outside editors, in Baltimore, have
taken the trouble to inquire casually just what
conditions here.
1t is to be hoped that the same sort of edi-
torals written about some candidates for re-
election whose relations with the District gov
much closer than those of Mr.. France.
Let them know that the folks at home not
entirely uninterested in local affairs in Washington.
The Sun editorial, of course, contains some in
accuracies which need not point out to Wash
ington people. They will be noticed instantly. But,
despite its defects it is curiosity and worth
;esding by the taxpayers here. Senator France, it
seems, has tried TO connect his Democratic oppo-
ncnt with the high street fares which are
collected in the Monumental City. The Sun throws
back in his face the high street fares in Wash
ington:
Nothing could better illustrate the insincerity
OF his charge than the fact-brought out by
Mr.. Bruce in his address Wednesday night
that Senator France has been member of the
Board OF Commissioners of the District of Co
lumbia for more than five years and that the
street car companies in Washington allowed
to charge eght-cent fares. with additional
charge for a.transfer. Now, if Mr.. Bruce who
only counsel to the Public Service Com
mission. is, to be held responsible for seven
GER. car fares in Baltimore, is not Senator
France, who is part of the government of
the District, still responsible for eight
fares in Washington He reproaches Mr..
Bruce for not keeping fares down here but
.hough he has travelled thousands of miles to
carry relief to the Russians, he has not yet
rescued the people at our National Capital from
he cxactions OF its street companies
Ii the Senator such champion OF
the people and such alleged foe OF corpora
tion>, cvil-minded persons might think that he
had stock in the Washington railway COM
pan;cS and OF their pals" We do not
7 believe this to he the case. but certainly it
docs not come with good grace from him to
charge Mr.. Bruce with responsibility for high
fares in Baltimore when higher fares are
charged in Washington, where Senator France
has been in position OF authority during
nearly his whole OF Office
Senator France is doctor by profession.
Would it not be well for him in this connection
to recall the old saying. Physician heal thy
self
% 49, 1t seems to us proper enough that candidates
the House or the Senate who attack their oppo-
nents on local issues should be faced with their
records identical issues in the National
, Capital Have they made any better records. The
question Is worth while
'- We are interested neither in the rejection or
the defeat oi DIR. France. He is not even a men,
be- OF the District OF Columbia Committee That
matter Is entirely up to the voters of Maryland He
has not taken influential part in District activities
and, OF course. there has been nothing he could do
to reduce fares here But it certainly is amazing
that anybody outside should even know that Wash
ington has street problem.
- -
A Fragrant Memory.