Evening star., 1926-11-09
WHATD. C. GOVERNMENT NEEDS
BY WILL p. KENNEDY,
I-Representation in the Law.Making Body.

Governments share toward main
tanning and developing the Capital
City on a pretentious scale, far be
yond the mere municipal require
ments. we do not hear any spokes-
man for the District answering this
wise:
There is no city in the world where
40 much of the property is removed
from taxation One-third Of the total
large part of which Ia held by the
Federal Government and much by
embassies and legations and institu-
tions-simply because this Is the
Capital
We do not hear the same furore
about hundreds of millions of dollars
contributed in Federal aid 10 the
States. with Congress discriminating
against the District of Columbia.
Take the $150.Oo0. 900 road building
budget. not one dollar OF which is
spent on our arterial highways and
bridges. while we spend $4,000, 900 to
~, 500, 900 a year to maintain boule-
wards 100 feet wide for people from
all over the country. who come here
because 1t is the Capital.
Do we ever hear about the vast
sums paid into the Federal Treasury
by Washingt onians in internal rev
enue taxes-between $4,000. 900 and
$40 .000. 900 q year-which Ia spent IN
all the States. but not here? This In
twice as much as the Federal Govern
ment contributes as its share in
financing the National Capital. and
| considerably more than is paid into
the common fund by eight States
| that have sizable delega tions in Con
gress.
Do we ever hear members Of Con
gress emphasizing that the District Of
Columbia was forced TO pay half the
cost of the Key Bridge and one-half
| the cost OF the Highway Bridge. which
| is just as important to the State Of
| Virginia as a. part Of the highway
system. and yet Virginia paid NOT
one cent? Now the Chain Bridge
must be replaced. but while Virginia
| has a. very active and able spokes
man we have none in Congress to
declare boldly that II is an injustice
| to expect the District of Columbia
to pay practically the entire cost ~
the new structure.
! Congress enters into contract ex
press or implied with The District
| people. and then at will breaks the
contract and saddles unfairly heavy
and unexpected obligation on the
District taxpayers-who nave no
spokesman in Congress to protest.
The connecting link between the
Rock Creek and Potomac Parks AZ
fords an example. The Government
authorized the purchase of certain
specified tracts Of land. TO No palo
| for 80 per cent from the Fedora
Trea sury. But Congress held down
so tight on the nece ssary sppropria
tions that prices advanced on the sites
to be ACQUIRED, and an extra $60o.oon
was needed. Congress summarily d.
| rected that this amount in full should
be taken from the surplus revenues
| If the District.
! These Surplus revenues" them
selves represented still another case
| in which the Federal Government
made appropriations Of District tax
money without matching 1t in Definite
ratio-as the contract called for
whet her it was accumulated under the
$3.50 or 60-40 proportion.
| So. as O. question of ethical right
under our fundamental documents
nd as one OF practical justice in or
dering how the money we raise in
, taxes shall be spent, 1t is logically
and conclusively evident that the peo
pie of the District Of Columbia should
have representatives in Congress
whom they themselves have chosen.
| Participa ton in the National Gov
eminent on American principles will
thus arm us with a power which will
| tend 10 protect us against injustice
| both in respect to national and mn.
niclpal issues.
We shall have voice. like other
Americans. in legislation affecting our
| national as well as our local taxes.
| Our votes will help to decide whether
/ we shall have increased superta xes
| or tax reduction: whether or not our
national taxes. to which we contributs
millions. shall be economically and
wisely expended: whether or not the
Volstead act shall be modified, and
whether or not we shall send our
sons to war
| In addition to these practical ben.
/ efts. national representation will he
stow upon the Washingtonian the
priceless right and power Of a share
In American sovereignty. 1t will cure
his political impotency. cleanse him
from the stain Of un.America nisn a nd
restore his self respect
National representation is placed at
the head OF the list OF District needs:
az Because the right bestowed in
America nixing the Washingtonian IL
fundamental and vital In American
citizenship. and i2) because voting
power in Congress and the Electoral
| College will help us to secure aatisfac.
! tion Of every other real legislative
need On the Districts Hst.