Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-29
Another Commission Needed.

Another Commission Needed.
The Nation is now applauding the
splendid work of the Forbes Commits
sion, which recently returned from
Haiti with formula designed to pacify
the grievances of alien Haitians con-
corning alleged unsatisfactory condi-
lions that have developed under Ameri-
can control of their republic. The
work of this commission may eventually
clear up situation that long has been
q source of passionate and acrimonious
dispute. It assumed the role of third
party and heard both sides of con-
troversy between two other parties
whose views were apparently irrecon-
cilable.
Why not apply the same procedure
TO settling a long standing and bitter
conflict between Americans who live in
the District of Columbia and those who
have the exclusive power Of legislating
for them in Congress?
These Americans who live in the
District are assuredly as deserving of
q hearing by disinterested third party
as the alien Haitians The American
principle Of square dealing certainly
extends to the District of Columbia as
well as to the independent Republic of
Haiti.
Representative Moore of>Virginia has
again introduced in the House his bill,
presented last year, providing for the
appointment Of commission to inquire
into the fiscal relations between the
District of Columbia and the Federal
Government.
The proposal is based upon neither
the assumption that unrepresented tax
payers of the District are unfairly
treated by Congress nor the belief that
Congress is fair to the District of Co
lumbia. The proposal simply takes the
view that there is ceaseless conflict be-
tween the two over matter that Is Of
vital Importance to both. Why not ex-
anime the causes Of controversy, and
after hearing arguments on both sides
decide the matter on its merits?
Members of Congress contend some
what plaintively that the people of the
District persist in asking for things that
have to be paid for, and then rebel when
they are asked to pay for them. Al
+ though possessed of exclusive power OF
legislating for the people of the Dis
trict Congress, or some Of It's members,
= sssol. that if the residents of the Dis
trict ask for q bridge, grade crossing
or a schoolhouse the project
that is indorsed-it must be granted
and money furnished to finance 1t. The
District is warned to keep quiet con-
corning needed undertakings, or else
accept q heavier burden in taxes.
Here is something that the District
IS asking for that wiz cost nothing;
that viii not subject to strain the gen.
crosby of the House members who guard
the purse strings of the District, or
bring heavier burden Of taxation upon
the petitioners. In fairness to Washing
ton, MIR. Moore's bill should be passed.
The makeup of the commission sug-
aested is subject to examination, but
a. proposed by Mr.. Moore it would be
acceptable to Washington. Serving on
the body would be the chairmen of
the District committees Of the House
and Senate and the chairmen Of the
House and Senate appropriations COM
mittees, one of the District Commits
sioners, the director of the Budget Bu-
reau and three citizens Of Washington,
chosen by the President.
II the District Commissioner is con-
strued as a Federal oficer the Federal
Government would be represented by the
majority. But assuming the members OF
the commission to be fair-minded men,
the District need have no fear Of its
findings.
Members Of the House who plead that
Congress is always being attacked by
the Districtr-and they cannot under
stand why, having just voted to allow
the District to spend the largest amount
of money the District ever made avail
able for expenditure-may indicate their
sincere desire to understand the source
Of the Districts criticism by favoring
the Moore bill. The commission would
undoubtedly shed light in places that
now seem destined to remain dark.