Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-07-14


Chandler favcs immediate confirmation and the third
the subcommittee Senator Austin has reading
transcript of the testimony at the hearing
Department of Justice understood
rmaon there nothing brought hearing indicating
unatness of Judge Bentley
a Distrct Threatened With Gas Tax Increase
special subcommittee of the District Committee is
scheduled to begin public hearings August bill to
the tax gasoline gallon There are
few measures before the Seveyxh Congress which
been such general opposition by organ
zaons 1t believed that this strong opposition pre-
vented favorable action on the bill.
The matter new wrinkle in legis-
aon 1t proposed bring the Maryland
gas tax is increased in the District that Maryland Virginia
see to that the roads leading into the District
not been whether the reputed bad condition of
in question have been purpose penaizing
the District for its tax dferenta.
This fight which the District will
when the civic organization machinery the summer
However, the Board of Citizens Associa-
ons the motor clubs and the auomotve interests preparing
to enter forceful is no
justification for increase sufficient
Congress There have been some attempts cover
any proposed increase into the general fund
the gas money would cause the District to lose
its allotment under the Hayden Cartwright Act
The attitude of organized Washington oppose the
diversion OF gas tax money matter Of principle
believed should increase rather
than decrease its share in the support
Dferenas in between adjoining
ocahes inns was developed at hearing Of the subject
several years Members of the District Committee from
States then and there declared that their States
their tax unless additional revenue needed.
Novel Legislative Technique District Bill
The bill creating censu for undertakes and en-
baers through
quietly unobruvey The Senate
Committee report all Informative recommended
number of amendments stated bill
approval OF the Commissioners The House District
mtted by both SEN
ate and House without discussion
No hearings held by Commissioners or
either the Senate explanation of
the absence hearings from the attorney
Directors Embamers Association the organization
sought legislation explained public hearings
necessary since the organized funeral directors and embamers in
the District approved it.
peculiar
omission public hearings legislation supposed
lection of the public The bill not be all right
public protection legislative
nique seems to have been extraordinary.
The District Is No Political Infant
Any thought that the District of Columbia is political infant
too small Insignificant for participation the councils
Nation should be banished by the figures
Census Bureau According to the preliminary figures the 1910
census the population Of the District ee353 and represents
gain 1890 of 1862 per cent.
the city and county of Alexandria to the State Virginia That
of 100 the 10 miles total population
Of 4312 This distributed Washington
s45s and the remaining 1853 Georgetown Washington
County and Alexandria County.
= year gives
Columbia Alexandria Arlington County
formerly Alexandria, County $780, grand total for the
10 miles square This probably would been the
population the National Capital it had dmembered
giving portion residents of the V
ga portion obtained the order that they might
rights citizenship It be- of that the
of these rights accounts for the population growth in
adjacent Virginia
Congress toward the District of Columbia in
different that of 94o The District of hundred
consolidated local There three
incorporated Washington Alexandria Georgetown Then
outlying beyond the limits Of the cities
organized These known the
Levy Washington County and the Levy Court of Axan
dra County
existed these several governmental
exercised its overriding authority in most
ineouitable Congress sought to punish
it had just elected Wing Mayor This
Seaton OF the propretos and the
National 1negener Because he had opposed some
policies attempt made to get by i'm
posing legislation the District bill to repeal the city charter
its second reading Other hardsps
threatened the entire District
Washington citizens held meeting in front Of the City
appointed committee headed by Mayor Seaton to fight
Alexandria city county renewed
back to Virginia. which they finally won in
1916.
study history the local governments which
District Columbia furnish convincing EVIL
function satisfactorily In the
without the people Of the District being first
granted voting representation the Congress and the
President There another change
complete the solution of this prob
political equity that is the granting Congress the
delegate local government in the District all
any Of its powers the said District
anticipated the 1910 will that the District
has outstrpt population States
with smaller number Of inhabitants two
slightly District the
will give further emphasis to the injustice of dprivng the
District of Columbia their fundamental rights
pating in the councils Of the Nation.