Evening star., 1924-11-14
The President and the District.

When the voters OF the United
States very recently elected a Presi-
dent they at the same time and hy
the same vote elected in effect a State
Governor for the District of Columbia
and a mayor or municipal executive
Tor the City of Washington Calvin
Coolidge is not only President Cool
ldge. but also in effect ID. {. Gov.
Coolidge and Mayor Coolidge, Ill
three in one.
President Coolidge Is shaping his
national policies for vigorous presen-
raton to the National Legislature.
doubtless Governor and Mayor Cool
idge is also formulating. or will in
due season formulate, his municipal
policies for the wholesome develop
slent CT the nations city, for equally
vigorous presentation TO Congress.
the Districts State Legislature and
the Aldermen and Common Council
OF Washington.
Vice President Coolidge showed an
intelligent and sympathetic interest
IN the welfare and upbuilding of the
National Capital His address d few
years ago at the laying OF the cor
1er stone Of the City Club reflected
this interest. Washington would con
1idently anticipate that President
Coolidge'S recommendation for the
material development of the Capital
and for financial and political equity
FOR Washingtonians would be sound,
wholesome and helpful.
Since the adoption of the present
form Of government. under which the
Commissioners have in effect au-
thority te report every year to Con-
gress, opportunity IS given for Presi-
dents TO shift the responsibility for
making local recommendations en-
lirely upon the Commissioners. whose
views often carry little weight with
Congress. This opportunity has not.
however. been generally seized. In
most instances the President has
helpfully backed the Commissioners
in their most important recommenIa-
tons or in some special projects
which he himself has favored. Every
predecessor Of President Wilson in a
message to Congress indicated his in
terest in and expressed some thought
concerning the nations city
The President, though not a part
OF the municipal corporation which di-
rectly manages local executive con-
Germs, is as the appointive power Of
the official heads of this corporation
and through his veto an important
power of Congress in respect to the
Capital
The President speaks to Congress
concerning District affairs through the
Commissioners and the Bureau of the
Budget. but his indirect recommends
tions. thus expressed. need to be en-
phasized and reinforced by direct
representations. if Congress is TO
heed them
The relations of Washington to the
representatives of the National Gov
eminent have as a rule been closer
and more cordial with the executive
than with the legislative branch. With !
Congress there has been too often mis-
understanding, reciprocal misjudg-
Inent and recrimination; though on
all vital questions Congress has IN
the end treated the Nations CITY
with wisdom and fairness and will
undoubtedly continue to do so until
the end of the chapter.
The President of the United States
can do no finer thing than to use the
power and opportunities Of his posi- !
fion to bring together the members
of the National Capital partnership
IN vigorous, cordial corporation for
the city's wholesome development. !
There is no limit to what can be done
in the wise upbuilding of the Nation S !
city If the national and local partners
will work harmoniously and earnestly
together in it's interest and in fulfill :
ment Of their constitutional obIiga-
tion.