The Washington times., 1925-06-11
The Helplessness of VOteless
District Citizens
By BILL PRICE,.

by BILL TRAOG.
In this beseecng Of Congressional committee chairmen to
let us open bathing beachehis almost pful pleading with
political overlords some whom in way interested in
us-we again significant illustration OF the absolute
heplessness citizens Of the District Of Columbia In strictly
municipal matters which Congress ought not to have
thing in the world to do
That great city like Washington should be without public
bathing places for its nearly million people is virtually
past understanding by people Of cities where the American
principle of self rule and self determination prevails
The ridiculous idea that the Federal Government through
Congress or any other agency should cOntro such wholly
local proposition th-a problem which could not possibly
affect Federal jurisdiction the Dsricough to be
evident everybody particularly those who Congress
give suffrage applying only to the election Senators
and Representatives allowing participation to local
officials
Nobody the city of Washington elsewhere that
think Of thinks believes that the Federal Government
should ever withdraw It's control this Federal district
certainly jurisdiction and supervision in all questions
directly affecting policies Of the Federal Gov
eminent itself
Here is case, though where powerful chairman of
Congressional committee refused permit appropriations for
the continuance bathing beach, but did appropriate
meney the tearing down Of the buildings at that beach
action wholly arbitrary, based upon his utter
concern as to the rights Of Washington people
This rigorous exercise Of Congressional bosssm the
little things thorough that there is local
machinery which might take and provide for urgent local
that Congress had failed act upon In any other
American city aroused it Is here the city
council and city would find way in week open
the bathing beaches have representative local body
appeal purely community matters Unless
some way can be found the intent Of Congress IND
this matter bathing beaches not be provided for at least
another year, probably not for two more years.
The international Assembly Of Civil Service Commissions
annual session Los Angeles resolutions deporng
the lack Of civil service in the appointment Of employees in
District This Federal city 1t is pointed out
alone among large American cities in being without
merit system Congress- which controls as and subjects us
whm passed merit system Tor the Federal
Government but left city government for its own ex
pIoitation.
That is pretty good example just among many Of our
helplenes affairs Quite fortunately for our
med Congressional and other political influences to dictate
appointments the District Building but these influences
have dictated the filling of the best places in the District
service and they still do
bulk Of District employees against political turnovers and inter
ference and for that the people Of the city apprecave
expressed the conviction and shall continue to ex
press still larger of home rule shall prevail
further in letting politicians understand that District people are
entitled to most consideration
Every time there change Of party administrations In
the White House Congress the expectation OF those In
power is that there shall be spos at their disposal in
the District Building They not disappointed either be-
on in power under obligations which cannot be entirely
overlooked.
why should District Commissioners by
the people of this city and become responsible local public
sentiment instead of to political pressure? We paying
than hreeforhs of the financial upkep Of this Fed
ersl City, the Federal Government contributing the other
onefourh in lieu of paying Are allowed three
fouths interest in the control of local affas7 The bathing
beach situation and the lack Of civil service in the District
Building answer the question fully.