The Washington times., 1924-03-07
D. c. Has Nothing to Indicate
a Free People
Bv BILL PRICE.

"A friend Of mine who has souvenir store, writes
ESTHER WEBSTER to this writer, twas asked by tourist
'What are colOrs Of Washington? Has the District any
Colors?
No. voteless citizen of suffrageess community NO. The
District has nothing with the enranched citizens
Of the United except love Of country their beautiful
Capital the right to taxes and to send their to
when the country is in trouble.
For number Of the people Of Washington have paid
into the Treasury of the United States for in
come excess profits and miscellaneous of that
than any of twelve fifteen States of the Unon
Of them sending Congress many as eight Congressman
in addition to two Senator'S
citizens also pay regular and special and
ments for municipal that when compared with other
cities of the country are burdensome though some Of the
statesmen from commonwealth which pay less money into
the Federal Treasury than we do take pleasure in speaking
of Washington citizens as ''tax dodgers"
We have flag Of own, nothing under which our
boys when they 60 to war can march with the distinctive
that they 60 into battle under the great flag that all
cherish and love- and is uppermost their hearts When
and boys in thrilling parade in this city,
New York or elsewhere they see the State coors
with those Of Uncle SAM they note the pride of sturdy chaps
from Texas Maine in the fact that they hail from those
States BUT boys must be contented they must be- Of
course under the single flag Of their country.
There is bill now in Congress to give the District dis
ncve flag Of its but why the flag without the other
prerogaves Of free men to go with it? It would
source Of community PRIDE it is true but how much greater
side the felows from every part Of the land with the
feeling that in every respect they enjoyed the rights and
We took the Philippines from the Spanish put up the Amer
flag there and taught the Fpnos the principles of
free republic We gave the people there the right
all kinds of Philippine elections Half civilized rbesmen can
cast votes for local officials
We couldn't dog catcher in city We are so
helpless that municipal directors the Commissioners
picked for by the President Our Board of Educa
tion in control Of the municipal function that closest
Americans, is appointed by local court.
We stand outside the newspaper offices election nights
and watch the returns animated by curiosity
partisan feelings may have, but realize that
no votes and not allowed to take any active part in
the selection Of President Vice President representatives
i'm Congress.
Though annually pay millions of dollars in taxes we
have spokesman in House Senate to protect
OF the States and to speak and vote wish them
When kicked around in the halls Of Congress
smile and go back for another kicking We beg and
urge and plead and get nowhere had representation
in Senate and House interests would be guarded
every point The members of those bodies would better
derstand needs and aspirations They don't under
stand because there nobody acquat them Besides
they have their affairs after What happens to
the District Of Columbia concerns them not