Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-03

Three important matters in which
the residents of Washington desire
the cooperation Of people throughout
the United States were stressed by
Robert n. Harper, spokesman in be-
half of the National Capital, at the
luncheon of the Washington Chamber
of Commerce to Gov. Dan Moody and
the goodwill delegation of 125 lead
ing business men from Texas:
Ito secure national representa-
ton for residents Of Washington.
2-That the Federal Government
should pay a fair proportionate share
of the cost of maintaining the National
Capital.
3-For the erection of a group of
State buildings here to house perma-
nent exhibitions of their resources and
products.
Deprived 0f Vote.
In his address which was meant
for all the people of the country, as
well as for the Texas delegation, Mr..
Harper said:
'"This is your city as we'll as the city
of those who make 1t their home.
Those of US who make it our home,
however, are deprived of that conSti-
tutional opportunity which the peo-
pie of the States have the pleasure of
exercising and held by them as sacred.
although we do not enjoy some
of the privileges which are guaranteed
to all under the Constitution, we are
nevertheless loyal and real Americans,
proved and unQuestioned when we
bow our heads with cOmplacency to
the will and congressional diction in
obeying laws that we have no voice
T.. 1t -ir1cr 4n<
consent to the levying of same, and
furnishing more of our young men as
volunteers, in proportion 10 popula-
ton, than Is States of the Union, to
die upon the battlefield of foreign
nation; and in addition to this, we
paid more than our allotment of such
war expenses, although we had no
voice in declaring war or levying a
war tax for the expense of same.
Voice in Congress.
do not misunderstood me--we do
not want a change in the present re-
lationship between the District OF
Columbia and the Federal :iOVern-
ment, but we do want voice in both
houses Of Congress.
This is one of the conditions con-
trolling the actions of the people OF
=
stood and rarely appreciated by the
people of the States. Having men
toned this one, may not ask your
indulgence for the purpose of stating
that there is another situation con-
fronting us, making us conspicuousiy
unique in a civilized nation when COM
pared to YOU, and as to this l will de-
tain YOU only for moment, as l ap-
"a 0f time. L
now allude TO our system of taxation
for general expenses. AS TO the neces-
sity for such things, this community
is not unlike yours.
I'VE have a population here OF
528 900, which is greater than that OF
eight Of the States of the Union. Or
this population there are $4,000 en-
ployed in the Government, receiving
an annual salary of $105, 100000, and
some of whose children are educated
in our public schools. although the
parents, in most instances. vote In
their State.
The Experimental Station.
at is our opinion that as this Is
your city you should direct. through
! your representatives, that nothing is
| too good for the Capital of the Ma
| ton when appropriations are consid-
cred in Congress and be practical and
not make us the experimental station.
I'VE are by no means small res
ervation. Our area spreads over more
| territory than is generally supposed,
| having a total land area of $4,000
acres, of which the Federal Govern
| ment owns 1900, valued at 100000
600. Privately owned property in the
| District is assessed at $900.7 ,842. 1t
is estimated that the Federal Govern
ment owns approximately so per cent
in value of the property in the Dis
| trict of Columbia and this is free from
: all taxes. Reports go out at times to
you folk in the States that we only