Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-12

which would arouse his Imagination and
stir his patriotic pride.
I'm the coming years Washington
should be not only the art center OF our
own country, but the art center OF the
world Around it should center all that
is best in science, in learning, In letters
and in art
why not the best in government
The American people surely are not
willing to assent to the proposition that
a benevolent despotism Is the best In
government.
There was a reason, of course, for
the founders of this republic to set up a
District which was to be separate from
the self-goVerning States which formed
the Union. That reason was that the
Federal Government should have con-
troll Of the Nations Capital. A new and
untried Nation was throwing an add1-
tional precaution around an infant Fed
eral Government. The growth Of power
of the Federal Government has been
such as to make some of the reasons
obsolete. But let us grant for the sake
Of argument that every reason which
ever existed for having q Federal dis
trict in the exclusive control of the Fed
eral Government persists today. Our
proposal does not subtract from the
power Of the Nation over the Nations
Capital. We seek only to make the
capital part Of the Nation in national
elections.
1T seems almost absurd that we must
reiterate this. But we must, because 1t
is absurdly argued against uS that the
orderly development of the Nations
Capital City would be impeded by
granting the ordinary rights of Amer
lean citizens to its residents. II we were
proposing to change that provision Of
the Federal Constitution, which l be-
lieve will never be changed, the provi-
sion giving Congress the exclusive power
OF legislation over the District, then the
references Of our critics to the wisdom
and tmmutable purposes of the founders
Of the Republic would have point.
Little did the founders of our repub-
the year 1880 as having planned Co
perpetuate for a community of more
than half million Americans, govern
ment without the consent OF the Rov-
erned and taxation without representa-
ton.
America Alone Denies Rights.
more intelligent opposition to our
proposal Is voiced today by those who
believe we are asking too little-by
those who believe that our Nation is
so far developed today that we can
reconcile a completely self-goyerning
capital represented in the Nations GOV.
eminent, with proper control by the
Nation over It's capital city. In ali
the other principal nations of the world
the capital city is an integral part of
the nation. America alone denies at
her capital city the principle upon
which the Nation at large was founded
THE people of Paris share in the
government of France, those of london
In the government of England, those
of Rome in the government of Italy.
those of Berlin in the government of
Germany, those of Toxic in that of
Japan, those Of Mexico City in the
government of Mexico-why not thoxe
OF Washington in the Government of
these United States.
These are among the reasons WHY
the Senate committee on the District
OF Columbia reported favorably our
proposal to amend the Constitution 10
permit our participation in the cleo
ton Of voting Congressman and In the
election Of the President and Vice Pres
ident, and why We are hopeful after
| two full hearings that the influential
| judiciary committee of the House will
| likewise report faVorably. Once we
get the initial action by Congress itself
we are confident that the States will
speedily grant to US the blessing of
participation in the Federal Govern
rnent which they so cherish them
selves"