Evening star., 1938-09-04

SPpooACASAh "A ClASlC Will
cost less money than the erection
OF two divided by John Marshall
place. A single building, it is
claimed, will also tend to more
efficient organization.
Districts Own Flag
Continues rs a Problem.
Announcements in the press that
the District now has a flag were
apparently premature. The So
called flag commission selected two
designs and then passed the buck
to the Fine Arts Commission for a
final decision The commission
which met and considered the mo-
mentous question was not the body
which the act of Congress set up
for the purpose. That act provided
that the commission consist of the
Secretary Of War. the Secretary
of the Navy and the president of
the Board of Commissioners. 1t
was also provided that in the Sc
lection Of design the commission
shall have the advice Of the Com
mission of Fine Arts.
Representatives of the two Secre-
taries met with President HaZen Of
the Board Of Commissioners and
selected the two designs upon which
the Fine Arts Commission is ex-
pected to pass at its September
meeting. 1t is understood that
protests have been filed with the
Fine Arts Commission against the
approval Of the designs submitted.
Such protests are understood to
have come from the estimable
ladies who have for so long been
striving for a distinctive oh1cial
District of Columbia nag.
1t appears that there is a strong
sentiment favoring an opportunity
for citizens to submit designs for
consideration. If it is to be the
Districts emblem, it Is held, the
District people should have some
real part in its design and final
selection. For 1873 years the District
has been compelled to admit that
we amt got no flag" and a little
more delay to afford the people an
opportunity to participate would do
no harm.
Some hold that flag should
stand for something definite and
should really be capable of inspir-
ing devotion to that for which it
stands. The question is asked, what
do any Of the designs under con-
sideration symbolic?
Among some of those active in
civic affairs of the District there is
seen a real opportunity to arouse
interest and civic spirit through
giving this voteless and unrepre-
sented community An opportunity
to have part in the selection of
the community colors under which
it will in the future march with
pride and devotion. A suggestion
from the Fine Arts Commission to
the Flag Commission that it adopt
more democratic method in select
ing a design would be hailed with
delight, it is believed. by those who
have pushed this legislation through
and by the organized and unorgan-
lied citizens. generally.
Not Too Early to Begin
A Civic Legislative Program.
Some progress has been made in
the past in formulating a civic legis-
lative program for the District upon
which a large number of citizens
and officials might unite in urging
action by Congress. When Com
missioner Hazen first came into
office he advanced such plan and
hearings were held to learn the
wishes of the citizens regarding
wanted legislation.
Now the District is to have a new
Board of Commissioners except for
Mr.. Hazen, who continues in office.
Aside from President Hazan the
Commissioners, being new, will not
be informed on District problems
and the desires of the voteless and
unrepresented citizens. Therefore,
IN organization circles it appears
to be considered desirable that the
custom OF holding hearings on a
legislative program should be re-
sumed.
In the formation of such program
the calendars of the Senate and
House of Representatives Commit
tees on the District of Columbia will
disclose wanted measures that failed
10 get through the seventy-fifth
Congress. Other measures pending
before other committees must be
located and included in the list.
Inc proposed constitutional
amendments which would enable
congress to make American citi-
zens OF the voteless District resi-
dents should have first place. Once
more the proposals to reorganize
the government of the District will
have to be brushed of and given
consideration. 1t may be that to
expect general reorganization for
increasing the efficiency of the Dis
trlct government is far too much.
However, there might be several
measures introduced which would
result in desirable improvement
IN the business affairs and make
transactions with the District by
the citizens much more convenient
and satisfactory than at present.
Conspicuous among the legisla-
tive problems is that of taxation
and its inseparable companion of
fiscal relations between the Dis
trict and Federal Governments. Tax
legislation is expected to be formu-
lated by the expert now conducting
a survey with the cooperation of
the Commissioners Citizens Ad-
Vlsory Tax Committee.
Citizens familiar with the prob
lem OF District finance are unable
to see just how the taxation ques-
ton is to be settled fairly without
arriving at a definite plan for the
payment by the Federal Govern
ment of an equitable share. Just
what proportion that share is to be
ic fo nv, a ko