Evening star., 1934-09-09
BY NATHAN d. GOLDEN.

Department Commander. District of Co.
lumbia Veterans Of Foreign Wars.
HE veterans Of the international
conflicts of this Nation have
very special interest in all
Il questions of self-government.
The impulses Of patriotism ex-
ert a powerful influence upon the
thoughts and views Of the typical
American veteran of any foreign war.
And the veterans are accustomed to
identify patriotism with the resolute
purpose to maintain, and to develop
so far as possible, those basic prin-
ciples which have generated and
vitahzed our national greatness. This
point of view determines the veterans
attitude toward District problems.
Certainly it has been fundamental
American belief that government of
the highest excellence and effective
ness springs Immediately from the
people. Such government is an ex-
pression-a true exemplification-of
the spirit, the traditions, the require
ments, the desires Of q particularly
regional segment of the population.
Basis of Democracy.
This represents, in truth, the basic
thesis of democracy-the corner stone
of our political life and of the history
of our Nation. Americans have con-
stantly cherished the passionate con-
viction that the persons who are sub
iect to the rules and exactions OF
government should WELD a potent
hand in molding that government.
Their will should directly determine
the course of administration.
1t has always been very difncult for
most of us to comprehend why the
District Of Columbia, the magnificent
and enlightened seat of our Nations
supreme authority, should have been
singled out as an exception to the
operation Of the democratic principle.
Under modern conditions, this dis
elimination appears to me to be in
defensible. 1t is hard, indeed, to
Justify it on any logical grounds.
Neither theory nor political realism"
affords any warrant for it. The lack
of the rights of government by
the half million patriotic Americans
who form the citizenship of the Dis
trict smacks too much Of alien autoc-
racy and arbitrary authority-ideas
which are unacceptable to the aver
age American.
Commission Form Good.
I have the highest regard for the
ability, energy and civic spirit of our
present and recent District Commis-
sioners. 1 recognize a number OF
indiSputable merits in the commits
sion form of government. I would
be the last to question the interest,
the good will and the admirable
motives Of those who serve as the
Districts lawmakers. Yet, for my
self, 1 can see no reason why the
District should not enjoy the ordinary
forms and privileges of American
municipal government.
1 believe the great majority Of the
Districts veterans of the American
military and naval services are un-
reservedly in favor of votes for Dis
trict citizens. They may be counted
upon as advocating such changes in
the existing set-up as would permit
the District people to exert a strong
and steady influence in originating
and passing upon all legislation that
affects our welfare. Most veterans
appear to regard congressional rep
reservation for the District as the
minimum measure Of political justice
to be accorded 10 this community.
Congress Interests Varied.
Gladly granting that Congress pos
sesses the best Of intentions and
statesmanlike purposes toward the
District, the fact nevertheless re-
mains that Congress Is always ex-
ceedingly busy with non-District mat
ters and, inevitably, its members are
| largely preoccupied with the affairs
| of more or less remote constituencies
and individuals.
The District people themselves
know District problems best. They
are intimately familiar with the dis
tinctive circumstances here existing.
They are vitality concerned with the
adoption Of correct, progressive pro-
grams. And it is they who can supply
the maximum of vigorous impulse and
constructive effort for the sound i'm