The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-06-16
Just Who Is a Leech?

VTHE last time we paid any attention to what Repre-
sentative John OConnor of New York had to say
we were intrigued by m threat to kick Father Coughn
from the Capitol to the White House.
The rapid defation of Congressman O'Connors
swelling anger at that time should have warned all and
sundry that when to the grand old soapooxers
nastime of s'taking through his hat" Mr.. OConnor
stands preemnent
This should be recalled in case Neutrality-suspicious. are
disturbed over the charge made by this New York city
statesmen that the residents Of the District Of Columbia
are lodging parasites suffering from severe attack
of Civic Hookworm.
Mr. O'Connor stung to action in the House when it
was Suggested that there be local income tax which
ronld ouch the sacred paycheck of national awmaker
excoriated the folks who live here and who are IN all
wavs lust regular Americans who go to work IN the
morning come home at night pay their bills and mind
their own business.
Mr.. O'Connor, under the misapprehenson that resi-
dents of the District pay the lowest taxes IN the country
dashed at them in burst of misapped rage backed by
unbounded misnformaton and spoke Of the merchants
residents and property owners as "LEECHES ON
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT" WHO NEVER
TAKE A HAND IN ANYTHING IN THE WAY OF
CIVIC CELEBRATION, UNLESS THERE is
HANDOUT FROM THE FEDERAL TREASURY.
Mr. O'Connor rambled on into enemy territory when
he attacked the Boy Scouts and promptly hauled
back and put in his place by of his colleagues who
pointed out the completely sefsupportlng feature OF
the coming Boy Scout Jamboree.
But unfortunately, the National Capital has no
spokesman on the floor of Congress.
Congress itself has settled the matter Of what the
District should pay and what the Federal Government
should pay for the peculiarly nterminged set Of inter-
ests between the city and the Government
Sc 11v he out-
standing public immortality of the ages by refusing to
follow the law on the subject The facts all against
any congressional irritation on that score.
But Mr. O'Connor's insnuations against the character
of the people and the merchants of Washington
mean. Further, they are false.
Washington has high degree of civic pride; those of
us who have lived here for lifetime know that there is
an active group of Washingtonians who have devoted
large share of their waking hours all their adult lives to
keeping alive the fine spirit that makes WASHINGTON
ONE OF THE FRIENDLIEST AND MOST HOSPI
TABLE OF WORLD CAPITALS.
The residents and merchants of Washington form the
committees and the organizations which have made it
possible for millions of visitors to attend such Federal
functions the Inauguration of Presidents
There is constantly renewed civic spirit on which
the officials of Government frequently depend for the
entertainment Of distinguished guests and large
gatherings.
The very Boy Scout Jamboree at which Mr. O 'Connor
sneered has its civic side which is being carried on here
byalarge committee appointed by the President himself
through Commissioner Allen, who represents the Pres
dent in this matter and who has surrounded himself
with subcommittee recruited from the leadership of the
business and professional life of this city.
To city which is busy most of the time providing
civic hospitality for the Nation the remarks of Repre-
sentative John O'Connor of New York appear to be
A SPLENDID HOT WEATHER ILLUSTRATION OF
HOW TO TALK THROUGH ONES HAT.