Evening star., 1937-07-04
Civic Problems, Civic Bodies
July 4 Day for the District to Pond<r-Enact.
ment of Tax Bill Complicated Problem.
Improving the Water Front
JESSE C. SUTER.

JESSE C. sUTER.
" ODAY, on another glorious
Fourth Of July, it is natural
for the yoteless and unrep-
resented residents OF the
District Of Columbia again to
ponder on that remarkable docu-
ment which was unanimously
adopted July 4. l776 While It's
practical application In the Capital
Of the Nation is sadly deficient in
some particulars, still the document
does mean much to all Americans.
wherever they reside
To many residents Of the District
there exist reasons for like decla-
ration on their part which are
strikingly similar to conditions
which confronted our forefathers.
we hold these truths to be self
evident; that all men are created
equal: that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain unalien-
able rights; that among these are
life, liberty and the pursuit OF
happiness, that to secure these
rights governments are instituted
among men, deriving their just
powers from the consent OF the
governed, that when any form OF
government becomes destructive OF
these ends 1t is the right OF the
people to alter or to abolish IT, and
organizing its powers in such form
as to them shall seem most likely
to effect their safety and happi-
ness" There is real inspiration to
be found in this passage just quot
ed, but the local problem is. just
what can the District do about it?
AS we read along in the Declara-
ton and consider the facts-"sub-
mitted to candid world'-there is
recognized a decided parallel be-
tween some Of our local grievances
and those which the colonists
charged against George III.
A few samples are worthy Of con-
sideration:
He has refused his assent to
laws most wholesome and necessary
for the public good"
He has refused to pass other
laws for the accommodation OF large
districts of the people. unless those
people would relinquish the right Of
representation in the legislature-a
right inestimable to them and
formidable to tryants only"
For imposing taxes on us with
out our consent"
For taking away our charter,
abolishing our most valuable laws
and altering, fundamentally, the
forms OF our government"
In every stage Of these oppres-
sions we have petitioned for redress
in the most humble terms: our re-
peated petitions have been answered
only by repeated injury" And still,
in the face Of all OF these condi-
tions, the organized civic groups OF
the District of Columbia will to-
morrow stage one Of the most gen.
eral obeervances OF Independence
day to be found any place under the
Stars and Stripes
The past week has little in the
way Of civic accomplishment to
its credit. The Public Utilities
Commission completed its hear
ings Of the Capital Transit valua-
ton and rate hearings, with the
representatives Of the company and
the citizens given until August !
to file complete arguments
Chairman Riley Elgen's reap
polntment As member OF the
commission was confirmed on Mon
day. He has been sworn In for a
new three-year term.
The District 1888 appropriation
act passed both House and Senate
in the form agreed to by the Con-
ference Committee and was signed
by the President. The Districts
omnibus revenue bill. completely
done over. WAS reported out by the
Senate committee on Friday. Well
attended hearings by the Senate
District Committee were conclud-
ed on Wednesday. The committee,
with the assistance of the District
Commissioners. then went to work
to revise the House bill so as to
produce the requisite revenue as
painlessly as possible.
The so-called abattoir bill has
continued to hang fire in both
Senate and House District Com
mittees. The latest development
reported in the House Committee
was a visit to the site OF the Gobel
plant at Bennings by the members.
1t is rumored that the House Com
mittee may take unfavorable action
on this bill Morton billN. The
Senate Committee has not con-
cluded It's hearing by a subcommit-
tee under Senator McCarran. Re
sumption of hearings is not antici-
pated until after the District rev.
enue bill is disposed Of.
The Board of Education has been
reorganized with the reelection OF
Mrs. Henry Grattan Doyle ss presi-
dent and Dr. Robert A. Maurer as
vice president Charles D. Dray-
ton and Col West A. Hamilton
have been sworn in AS new men,
bers to succeed George M. Whit
well and DR.. j. Hayden johnson,
respectively.
Local City Council
Aim Of Two Proposals.
THE subcommittee. under the
leadership Of its chairman.
Representative Kennedy Of Mary
land, is to give consideration to his
plan to modify the present govern
mental set-up Of the District. The
chief feature OF such change would
be the creation Of a citizens ad-
visory council. At first it was sug-
gested that the members of this
body be appointed by the Presi-
dent, but recently more American
method Of electing the council is
being considered.