Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-20
CamaIier Makes Plea
For District Franchise
Al Federation Meetinq
Attorney Points Remarks
To Congress Members
As Honored Guests

Pleading for franchise for Dis
trict residents, Renah F. Camalier,
attorney and former counsel to the
Senate District Committee, declared
last night that the Federal Govern
ment pays less than 10 per cent
of the vast expenditures necessary
to operate the city, yet governs and
rules Washington, while taxpaying
citizens who supply the other 80
per cent for the city's upkeep are
impotent in its affairs.
Addressing his remarks to Senator
| CaraWay of Arkansas, honored
guests at meeting of the Fedora
ton of Business Mems Associations
last night at the Hamilton Hotel,
Mr.. Camalier said:
Assuming that your constituents
know the real facts about the Dis
| trict, / ask you the point blank
question.-Should they be the ones
whose votes elect those who govern
the Districts affairs? The people
of the District of Columbia appre-
ciate your service and your ability
but is it American that 100000 peo-
| pie should be governed by those
whose tenure of Office is brought
about by the votes of people who
| live in sections of the country far
removed from the place where the
! governing occurs?
City Bears Burden.
Frankly, it makes us hang our
heads in shame to think that $780,
! 900 people become the governed
class through the votes of some 25,-
100000 to 100000 people in 48
States of the Union. We are gov
erned by the votes of millions of
people who have never even seen
or visited the Capital City"
The speaker pointed out that de-
spite the Federal Government S
huge property holdings in the Dis
trict, it has been paying only
S6,000,000 annually as it's share to-
ward traffic safety, fire protection
maintenance of highways, gas
electricity and parks, while voteless
property owners pay the balance
of S45,000,000 during the l943 fiscal
year.
The Federal Government, Mr.
Cavalier explained, pays no taxes
on property valued at $500, 300, 900
and the District itself pays no taxes
on property valued at $84, l80 900
while Congress has tax exempted
privately-owned property in the
sum of $780, 100000, making a tota,
of 1888 1863 900 or ASS per cent OF
taxable property in the District
on which no taxes may be levied.
Pleads For Voice.
rs that the American way?" Mr.
Camalier asked. Should we not
have a voice? We do not ask State
hood, but we do ask the right tC
have the voice of a Delegate hearc
in the lower house of Congress, to
be in a position to advise those
members of either house of the
wishes Of the people of the District
when legislation is proposed fol-
their governing.
After all, Washington is the city
toward which the eyes of the worlc
are turned for guidance and help
and assistance in these trying times
1t is the only city in all the worle
which radiates the hope of freedom
from oppression, inequality and in.
justice. Such radiance should also
cover the 10000 living directly un.
, der that beam OF light, that beam
of hope" he concluded
, Representative Stanley and Sen
ator Caraway greeted federation
members in brief addresses. They
were introduced by Arthur Claren.
don Smith. William J. Mileham
, president, conducted the meeting.
: Favor Auxiliary Police.
The Federation unanimously re-
/ iterated plea to Congress that the
Federal Government pay 40 per cent
| OF expenditures in the Distric