Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-01
A National Disgrace.

The municipal government of the
American Capital is functioning on this,
the first day Of the new fiscal year.
without legislative authorization for
the expenditure of a single penny.
From the Commissioners down to the
most mesgerly paid day laborer, every
employe Of the city government who
came to his work this morning did so
under the assumption. but under no
guarantee, that his salary would be
paid.
Technically the wheels of the District
government are turning in violation of
the law Technically the District Com
missioners are mourning a deficit for
each additional second that they allow
the municipality to function. Tech
nically they are liable to dismissal from
ONCE, fine or Imprisonment.
Actually they have resorted to the
expedient Of proclaiming the existence
Of a sudden emergency" and under
that. emergency they are carrying on
for protection against the loss of hui
man life or the destruction of property. .
Actually the municipal government is
functioning merely for the purposes
OF maintaining day-to-day existence.
Nothing is being done that can be
neglected.
Meanwhile the citizens of this COM
munity, who have paid their municipal
taxes as other citizens, who have paid
their Federal taxes as other citizens.
who have fulfilled the duties of citizen
ship imposed upon them by an alien
Legislature, in which they have no
voice, become impotent and helpless
spectators on the sidelines.
If their local government, which they
chiefly support through their taxes,
ceases to operate, they can do nothing
but protest. If schools needed for their
children and for which they are willing
to pay are not built while their money
is piled up, idle, in the Federal Treas
ury, no remedy lies within their hands.
If scores of men with dependent fam
lilies are thrown out of work, they may
offer them charity, but while the money
is available to pay them they can offer
them no work.
No matter how many fine words are
uttered in explanation or defense, the
results stand for themselves; the facts
write their own indictment Of those
whose obstinate disregard for the rudi-
mentary principles of fair play and rea-
sonable compromise has prevented Con-
gress from fulfilling its sacred duty
under the Constitution and legislating
for the American Capital.
One interested in these fine words will
md them in the debate in the House
yesterday accompanying passage Of the
continuing resolution, a measure that
In itself refutes the claims of proponents
Of the lump sum that their opposition to
its increase is founded on the principle
of national economy. For the House is
willing to approp-is e a full 50 900, 900
Of Federal money in makashift meas
ure designed to tide the District over a
congressional recess by maintaining
necessary functions of government. But
It is unwilling TO increase this sum to
the extent Of million dollars in a bill
that appropriates $45,0oO,oOo; in bill
that not only maintains the Capital,
but allows for its normal growth and
expansion.
The House is unwilling to spend $l0,-
100000 Of the Federal revenues in 9
measure that breaches the economy OF
wise expenditure But it is willing tc
spend 100000 to halt the wise growth
Of the Federal City II is unwilling tc
compromise by granting the expenditure
Of million dollars more Of Fedora
money. But it will spend 100000 tt
tie up and make temporarily useless
more than that amount contributed by
the taxpayers of this community.
1t lies now within the power of th'
House to correct this condition. II:
spokesman have indicated again a will
ingness To meet the Senate conferees
The Senate conferees have never indi
Gated anything but willingness to NEE
the House The Senate has SURRENDERED
more than half its ground. Will not IN
House, forgetting for moment its owl
preferences, meet the Senate the res
OF the way?
The House in simple justice owes tia
much 10 the people of the District. a
well as to the Capital of the Unite'
STATES.