Evening star., 1925-12-01
District Legislation.

AS the llllle approaches LOT lne re-
convening Of Congress the chairmen
OF the two District committees. Sena,
tor Arthur Capper of Kansas and Rep
resentative Frederick Zlhlman of
Maryland. are working to map out a
beneficial legislative program for the
National Capital.
There are many important measures
which demand attention at the coming
session. Chief among them is national
representation for the diSfranChised
With a population larger than that of
seven States, high literacy standard
and heavy contributions to the Fed
eral Government, both in national
taxes at all times and man power in
war times, Washington qualities in
every particular for the purpose of
representa- ton in the House and SEN
ate and electoral college and access
to the Federal courts.
Inasmuch as the joint resolution
proposing national representation does
not change the exclusive Federal con-
troll Of Washington. there is no longer
any apparent reason why the citizens
OF this city should not be allowed a
voice in their own affairs.
Next among items of local impor-
tance is the removal from the Budget
Bureau of all supervision over Dis
trict estimates. This matter is es-
peCially urgent as long as the sub
s:antive law governing District-Fed-
eral fiscal relations IS annually ig-
uored and the lump-sum appropriation
II the United States money is made.
contrary to equity. The Budget Bu-
reau cannot slash the lump-sum ap-
preparation. and all amounts in ex-
cess OF that sum come out of the Dis
trict taxpayers pocket
Provision for some kind Of bathing
facilities for Washington should he
made before the end Of the coming
session. Washington cannot go
through another sweltering Summer
with its citizens compelled to battle
in the unsupervised and polluted
waters Of the Potomac. The whole
problem should be carefully investi-
gated and pools in various sections
OF the city, or bathing beaches, using
impOunded and purified waters of the
Potomac, should be established before
the heat again descends on this city.
Traffic appropriations and traffic
code changes must have the atten-
ton Of the District committees and
the two houses of Congress at the
earliest possible moment. Traffic Di-
rector Eldridge has been severely
handicapped in his administration by
lack of funds and contradictions IN
the code. These matters should be
Strengthened out at once.
Development and expansion Of the
free public library system by means
Of an amendment to the organic law
creating the Public Library should
encounter no opposition in Congress.
Washingtons library system needs ex-
pansion in order to compare favorably
with other cities of like size in read
ing facilities for the public.
There are other matters. such as
the public welfare bill. which failed Of
passage at the last session; a new
building for the recorder of deeds, bet
ter street lighting and elimination Of
grade crossings. upon which the Dis
trict committees should act.
With such able men as Senator
Capper and Representative Zihlman
rs chairmen Of the committees. the
Districts interests will not lack for
attention when the legislative body
swings into action. Both chairmen
have made studies of local conditions.
and under their leadership Washing
ton will go forward to greater accom-
plishments.