Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-06
We Take What We Get.

and phraseology from the language of
the bill as it passed the House. Only two
of them are Of much importance, the
Glass amendment providing for the
construction Of the free bridge across the
river near Great Falls and authorizing
a Federal appropriation for the prof.
something that the House left un-
done-and another specifying Point Of
Rocks, Md, as the upstream boundary
Of that part Of the old "Patowmack"
canal that the Government seeks to
preserve. The Glass amendment Is
necessary, inasmuch as the House has
provided that free bridge shall be
built and no toll bridge can be built.
The effect. Of the amendment Is merely
to admit candidly that it will cost
money to build the bridge and to make
the money available.
The bill goes to the Senate with viz
tually the same language 1t contained
when passed by the House regarding the
rights the District Commissioners
should retain in the selection and pur-
chase, of lands. for Fairgrounds, recre-
ational centers, etc.
When it come down to the facts In
the case, they have no rights.
The Star has supported the Cramton
park bill in the belief that while 1t
contains the inequitable system OF
financing semi-national undertakings in
Washington, those undertakings are
necessary to the Capitals welfare and
the proper remedy for the fault lies, not
in the Cramton bill, but in the Ian
guage Of the District appropriation bills.
In other words, when fair and senst-
bls-one may say lawful-system Of APP
propriating for the Capital is adopted
again by the House, as it surely will
be, the benefits Of the reform will ap-
ply to the Cramton bill as well as to
other such joint undertakings as the
Bingham airport proposition.
It is well to mention here, however,
the specifically semi-national color Of
the Cramton bill as it applies to pro-
cedure in purchasing Fairgrounds,
recreational or community centers in
washington. When the Commissioners
reported on this phase Of the Cramton
bill they stated:
The Commissioners feel strongly that
In view Of their responsibility in con-
nection with the financing Of all Dis
trict projects and the fixing Of the tax
rate they should have definite voice
in the selection Of lands to be acquired
for playground and similar essentially
municipal projects, which in the nor
NAL course will be turned over to the
Commissioners for care and operation
by District agencies. The Commission
erS believe that the bill should be modi-
fed to provide that they shall be con-
suited in regard to all playground,
and similar projects and that proposed
purchase of land for these purposes
should be subject to their approval.
Col. Grant opposed this on the ground
that it would give the Commissioners
veto power over decisions of the Park
and Planning Commission. SO 1t would,
and from a standpoint Of expediency
and desirability Of centralized authority
his point is well taken. The Cranton
bill, therefore, merely provides for dis
cusSion with the Commissioners before
the land is bought for municipal pur-
poses.
But here in. nutshell we have one
Of the fundamental grievances Of the
Washington community, the source of
which seems 50 to puzzle our kind
friends on the Hill. Are not the play
grounds and centers purchased for the
benefit of Capital residents? Is there
any reason why they should not be paid
for by Capital residents?
No good reason, provided the resi-
dents Of the District, who pay the taxes,
have voice in deciding how the money
will be spent. They have no voice. The
District Commissioners, supposed to
represent the local community, have not
even the power to prevent the purchase
Of local playground for municipal use
by a Federal agency that brings its
membership together few times q year
from the various sections Of the coun-
try where they reside and whose de-
cisions are executed by an Engineer Of
flcer Of the Army.
Once the Cramton bill is passed by
Congress the interesting test Of its
workabiIity outside of Washington will
depend upon the decision of taxpaying,
but voting citizens. Here in Washing
ton no such issue Is involved. The cit
liens take what is given them, pay for
it and must like 1t. That is one rea-
son why the unintelligent complaints Of
a few members Of the House Of Repre-
sentatives, who once year honor the
discussion Of the annual District bill
with their presence-complaints to the
effect that II cannot understand why
they criticize Congress"-are such de-
pressing commentaries on their regard
for American principles when they ap-
ply outside the home district.