The Washington times., 1926-01-13
The Contempt of Congress for
Local Sentiment
BY BILL PRICE


We are getting fresh examples the contemptuous dis
regard Congress the opinions of the officials and people
city pay that furnish efourhs of the
money and upkeep of this Federal City
Federal SO control being in the hands of Congress
agents. local far the bulk of the money coming
out the pockets of District citizens.
The House passed the bill authorizing 100000 for CON-
peng the Rock Potomac parkway project sadded
the entire Washington people The money viii be
spent by officials and Federal control super
vision will continue to prevail parks Park policemen
Federal control but paid by the people Of the District
will patrol all parks.
Senate subcommittee considering bill payment Of
mothers pensions notably worthy measure
greatest attention to New York welfare workers
who here put through bill patterned by them
There plain disregard Of the wishes of local welfare workers
who have been trying for years get Congress to enact
pension legislation to take of widowed deserted
mothers with little dependent upon them
Senators Copeland and Wadsworth, of New York. and
REPRESENTATIVE Mills of State impressed
with plans the New York visitors who appear before
Che These New York people all vote and
influence while District people cannot vote All they
do is pay taxes They have nobody in Congress to
represent them speak for them
We have the intmation that District people al
mothers pension law all they take the New York
pattern or nothing yet the New York speakers all express
tender socitude for lonely mothers and little chill
ren differences are after ALL relatively slight largely
involving the administration of the proposed law.
cannot be much human sympathy feeling in an
unyeding selfish attitude the part Of the outsiders or
local people The law ought to be passed and doubtless will
be passed unless 1.-The York way blocks the path The
bill yet reached the stages where Congress op
portuniy express its views The District has good
Congress- thoughtful who earnestly feel that
public opinion should have just much weight public
opinion elsewhere.
District Commissioners ought to give solid serious
thought the contemptuous attitude displayed toward the
District by in Congress notably the House cotere
IN charge of appropriations. That contempt applies just
strongly the Commissioners does Washington people
generally Commissioners change of
position in the House. but they find to manifest
their sapproval Of Congressional bosses and policies inmca
of the citizens of this great city They
continue demonstrate absolute feay to their fellow
citizens and back public sentiment here at all times whether
not that sentiment is considered by Congress
The Commissioners and should become leaders of local
public opinion and with that leadership show courage to
Congress The Commissioners under present conditions in
the House. longer under any obligations to statesmen
things there It longer necessary advisable
that the Commissioners the appointment recommends
tons leaders who slap the people of this city all
possible occasions Why should the best saared positions in
the District Building to constituents of powerful in
the House. when those constantly show disdanfu un
just attitude practically everything want ask?
Our Commissioners Washingtonians not elected
by the people Their principal should be Washington
and its citizens Let them stand by their people