Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16
PASSED BY THE HOUSE
Action on the Union Station
Bill.
MR.. CANNON REBUKED
ENDEAvoR TO INCREASE RATE
OF LOCAL TAXATION.
The Measure Has Been Passed by the
Senate-Will Now Go Into Confer
ence-Building Assured.
dR. CANNON REBUKED

CACC-ooAAOA1S &-oSoASA'
The House of Representatives passed the
bill providing for union railway station
on Massachusetts, avenue yesterday after
noon substantially as 1t came from the COM
mittee Mr.. Cannons two efforts at amend
ment-one to strike out the provision for a
plaza In front of the station and the other,
brought in after he had met defeat with the
first one, to increase the taxation on real
and personal property % per cent additional
! during the next five years, also met severe
criticism and quick defeat.
Mr.. Cannon's efforts to amend the bill
constituted in reality the sole opposition
to the measure or any Of Its provisions, and
Mr. Cannon was told plainly that In bring
ing in his tax increase amendment after he
had met defeat with the former that 1t
looked very much as If he were trying to
retaliate. Mr.. Cowherd Of the minority and
the venerable Mr. Grow Of Pennsylvania
both read the chairman of the approprla-
lions committee lecture.
Mr.. Cannon Rebuked.
cit does not seem to me-" said Mr.. COW
herd, with all due Difference to the gen
tleman from Illinois-who very frequently
reads us lecture in the House, and nearly
always properly-it does not seem to me to
lie in his mouth to criticise the expend-
lures in this bill, because only two years
ago. or when these measures were up fixing
then upon the District all the expenditures
carried in this bill, except those on account
of the plaza, the gentleman gave TO tnat
measure his consent and approval. This
very bridge had been reported against at
that time by the engineer officer of the gov
eminent of the United States, and some OF
US thought it ought to have been stricken
rf ha h mi
linos voted for it when the expenses were
fixed upon the government and the District
two years ago; and it is little too late, 1t
seems to me, to bring provision here, on
the conclusion Of this bill. 1t could have
been brought in a year ago. when we
changed the tax laws of the District; 1t
might come as a separate measure from
the committee on the District of Columbia;
but to bring 1T in here, and now, seems
rather penalty against the House be-
cause we voted while ago for the plaza
l think therefore, while l say l want the
District to bear its fair share of the bur-
den, 1 am inclined to think ought to
vote down the proposition to tack 1t upon
this bill at this time"
taxation amendment by Mr.. Mudd as soon
as it was offered. This however. was over
ruled by the chairman, and when a vote
was called for there were so few ayes IN
support Of 1t and such a hearty chorus of
nays against 1t that Mr.. Cannon did not
ask for a rising vote.
MI. Cannon Responds.
In reply to Mr. Cowherd, Mr.. Cannon de-
clared:
Eyes, my recollection Is that two years
ago 1 voted for the legislation that is
upon the statute books, wisely or unwisely
I thought wisely at the time. I have given
many votes here that it subsequently turned
out were not wise. I have pride of opin-
ion. If have snned. then am sorry for
1t. But since that time many things have
happened, many great expenses have been
provided for by Congress, and many more
are necessary to provide for In the District
of Columbia.
Now, upon the whole, I am content to
follow the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr
Babcock) and the gentleman from Missouri
(Mr. Cowherd) as to the wisdom Of this
legislation, Notwithstanding the amendment
l offered was voted down. There Is nothing
extraordinary about that. I expect that is
about the two hundredth time 1 have been
voted down on amendments. always do
the best l can. But here is the situation:
1t Is easy to vote for expenditures. AL
ready many hundred thousands Of dollars
have been advanced from the treasury of
the United States that are to be reimbursed
from the revenues of the District. ana when
we take on these additional burdens we
have got to either provide by this taxation
or vote burdens without any provision in
law for their payment. Now, then, let us
have one hand wash the other. That is all
| want"
Mr.. Babcock declared that the additional
tax would raise over S., 900, 600 in the next
five years, whereas the total additional ex-
pense entailed by reason of the improve
ment would not amount to $1,000, 900.
The District Finances.
Mr.. Cannon's summing up of District
finances interesting in view of his posi-
ton as chairman Of the appropriation COM
mittee. When questioned this point by
Mr.. Cowherd he remarked:
Il was forced at the last session Of Con-
gress to have some familiarity with Dis
trict revenues and District expenditures.
We got into that condition where 1t
absolutely necessary to refrain from max
Ing certain needed improvements in this
District that to the public health Of
Its Inhabitants, or to provide some add
tional revenue. Through great tribulation
we finally provided some additional reve-
nue., but not enough to care for your SAM
tary system of sewerage in front; not
enough to care for proper water develop
ment in front; not enough to care for the
expenditures of almost one-half of the
S., 900 900 provided by this bill and legisa-
ton that is to be vitalized by this bill, be-
cause now they will begin"
Mr.. Cowherd-Will the gentleman tell us
how much is raised yearly by the increase
in the tax on real estate and the tax on
personal property?
Mr.. Cannon-Well, as nearly as 1 can now
recall, large amount Of the increase is
based upon the increase IN licenses to sell
liquors, and the amount of the liquor
license is not touched. 1t Is quite high
enough believe $500 now. But by the re-
assessment of the real estate and by a tax
upon personal property-not as thorough
as one could wish-my recollection is that
| the amount was increased 80 that the pres
| ent revenues in round numbers would be
about ! 200, 900 from the real and personal
| property.
Mr. Cowherd: How much Is that more
| than the revenues were last year?'
The Estimated Revenues.
Mr.. Cannon: at is little difficult to tell
| Estimated exclusive Of licenses it is in the
neighborhood of eight hundred thousand or
| nine hundred thousand dollars-say $500, coo
| increase Now, the taxing law In the Dis