Evening star., 1939-01-01

americans.
The extensive powers in respect
to the Capital conferred upon
Congress involve equally far
reaching responsibilities and obli-
cations, and sacrifices in the
Nations interest are required on
both sides Of the partnership. A
great power is to be greatly, nobly
exercised, controlled by no motive
or impulse that is small or mean
or base.
The greatest legislative body in
the world, representing the
worlds foremost Nation, is to
build up, typifying that Nation,
the worlds greatest Capital. The
Nations city which the fore
fathers nobly planned is by us to
be perfected on lines no less
noble.
The Capital which wisdom and
patriotism are to make truly great
includes not only the physical
city, but the people who live in
1t, the men and the women who
make the sacrifices in the Ma
tion's interest which call for sac
rlfices of time and thought and
patient consideration by the Ma
tion through Congress in return.
The obligation Is to build not
merely a beautiful city, but a
healthful, wholesome. well-gov-
erned. contented and seIf-re-
specting city.
What, then, will the Nation do
with its city to make it more
attractive, more healthful, more
creditable in every way as the
National Capital? What will it
do with the Americans who con-
stltute the people of its city to
promote their physical. political,
intellectual and moral welfare?
Americanize the Washingtonian.
A Major Source of Irritation.
The Nation could easily remove
by constitutional amendment one
cause of the District residents
reasonable discomfort. This cause
OF offense and injury, thus read
lily to be effaced, is found in
the Washingtonian's irritating.
humiliating and hurtful condition
of political and itigating impo-
tency, which degrades him to the
level OF the alien politically, and
debases him below the level of the
alien, the United States Supreme
Court says, in access under the
Constitution to the Federal courts.
AS the Senate Committee on
the District of Columbia has said
in reporting upon the conStitu-
tional amendment which corrects
this political inequity:
"The proposed constitutional
amendment does not reduce the
power Of Congress in respect to
the Capital, but adds a new
power; it does not propose the
admission of the District into the
Union as a sovereign State; it
does not propose the destruction
of the 10 miles square provision
of the Constitution; it does not
lessen in the smallest degree the
control by the Nation through
Congress Of what remains of the
10 miles square; it does not dis
turb in any way the financial
relation of Nation and Capital;
It is not based upon either the
abolition or retention of the half
and-half law; it does not pro-
pose or involve changes In the
municipal government of the
District.
1T plans to bestow upon the
437,0O0 Q937 estimate 627,OOO)
Americans of the District a
distinctive, basic right of the
American citizen-in a govern
meht of the people, by the people.
for the people-in a government
which roots its justice in consent
OF the governed-in representa-
tive government which insep-
arably couples taxation and arms
bearing as a soldier with repre-
sentation.
A Badge of Honor Lacking Here.
This distinctive American priv
ilege decorates the American with
a badge of honor and arms him
with power. Its lack slurs the
Washingtonian as unfit and de-
fective, and slurs the Nation as
in this respect un-American and
impotent.
Washington will cease to be
the only American community
numerous, intelligent, prosper
GUS, public-spirited and patriotic
in all the expanse Of continent
tai and contiguous United States
whose fitness to exercise national
privileges Gas well as to bear ma
tional burdens) is denied.
National representation will
clothe the Washingtonian with a
vital American privilege to which
he is undeniably in equity en-
titled, will cleanse him of the
stigma and stain of un-Ameri-
canism, and, curing his political
impotency, will arm him with a
certain power.
1T will relieve the Nation Of
the shame of un-Americanism at
its heart and of impotency to
cure this evil.
1T will inf1ict no injury or
hardship upon either Nation or
Capital to counteract these
benefits"
Uphuilding of Greater Washington
The greatest of our public men
have been the strongest cham
pions of the Capital. George
Washington created it and gave
1t his name. Thomas Jefferson.
with and following Warrington.