The Washington times., 1911-10-03

may call the national features of the
city's development. This was the one
important point in the bill which was
defeated in the House last March. Let
me read this exact provision to you;
Hereafter the Commissioners shall
Irovide in their estimates of appropria-
tioDs for permanent works or improve
ment a sum not less than one million
two hundred and thirty thousand dol
lars, beginning with the fiscal year end
ing June 30, 1913, and annually there
after an amount not less than the Same
sum increased by the sum of one hun
dred thousand dollars for each succeed
ing fiscal year until and including the
fiscal year to end June 80, nineteen hun
dred and twenty7four; and said estl-
mates for permanent improvements
shall include the reclamation OF the
Anaccstia Flats ABOVE the Navy Yard
Bridge and their conversion into park
or parks; the gradual extension OF the
park system of the District, tire con-
struction of public wharyes; the extern
sions OF trunk water and sewer mains
into the suburban portions of the Dis
trict; The elimination of dangerous
grade crossings; and such other
permanent public works as may be
authorized by Congress from time to
time
''That was intended to be a guar
antee that for twelve years to come
a certain minimum sum should be
used each year toward the develop
mSnt of the national features Of the
city. 1t could be made larger. but 1t
must not be less.
You will note that in drafting this
1 mentioned certain specific improve
ments that must be provided for in this
way. The reclamation of the Ana
costa fats and their conversion into
parks; general extension of the park
system; construction of public wharves,
etc. These are all things the people
want. They have not been getting
them.
Opportunity Missed
eff that bill had passed, these things
would have been assured, because this
general legislation would have settled
the matter, and provisions for that
work. inserted in appropriation meas
ures in the future, would not have been
subjected to a point of order as new
legislation. 1t seemed to me the one
these important works would be ac-
complished. At the same time, it was
a guarantee to Congress that the ma
tional contribution would be used to
reasonable extent annually to do the
biz national-interest things.
But this bill did not pass. Notice, 1t
was Endorsed by the Board Of Trade
and the CHAM ber of Commerce: by the
Federation Of Citizens Associations; by
many other organizations, and most OF
trict Committee reported 1t, and the
subcommittee of the Appropriations
Committee, which deals with District
matters, was for it.
Grab" Charged.
But it was defeated because II was
charged by a few people thta it was an
other grab an effort to give the
Commissioners a lot more power. II
vas nothing OF the kind; It was rather
q restriction on the power of the Com
missioners.
IF that bill had passed. II would have
taken of the edge of Congressional dis
affection with the fiscal management Of
District affairs. 1t would nave guaran-
next twelve years on the big nation
things that must be had If
Washington is to be a world-capital
commensurate with the greatness Of
this country.
when, however, that bill had been
defeated, l found that some Of the
men who had supported ii were disposed
to give up. in disgust, all effort 10
accomplish results in that way, and tC
advocate the abolition of the euuai-
division of expenses arrangement. They
expressed the opinion that nothing short
Of that radical step seemed likely TO
end the unfair Imposition on the Ma
ional Treasury.
1T Is my hope that, better understood
and with opportunity for fuller presen-
tation in Congress. such a measure as
this will pass at the next session and
put an end TO the criticism which has
been made against the pl2n of District
finances"
Commissioner Rudolph, asked today
for an expression Of his views about the
proposed Congressional effort to abol-
lsh the half-and-half plan. said:
AS a private citizen and as a d.
rector and one time president of the
Washington Board Of Trade, I have
always advocated the preservation of