Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-05
COMMISSIONERS SCORED;
PRAISE FOR EVENING STAR
Taxpayers Congratulated on Having
Such a Consistent Champion.
DEN0UNCE WATER RATE RAISE
Fairgrounds Item Also Is Con-
demned-Universal Transfer
Bill Meets opposition-w.
NICK. Clayton Reelected.

NICK. Clayton Re- Elected.
coming to the support OF the half
and-half principle of appropriatiops
Tor the District of Columbia without
compromise. and taking the first stems
toward the establishment OF Arr,
policy to look to the safeguarding of
the integrity of thee organic sc, ot
1878. the Federation of Citizens' Aaso-
Citations at its annual meeting la.t
night took the first step toward en-
roiiing itself beneath the banner Of the
derenders of the Districts birthrieht.
IN resolution presented by the presi-
dent. William Mex. Clayton, who was re-
eiected last night this organization dis
cussed from all angles attempts that
nave been proposed to destroy niece
meal the covenant between the District
ana the United States whereby the
United States should pay exactly one
dollar for every dollar the taxpayers Of
the District spend upon the capital or
the nation.
II was not suggested that any violent
assault would be made TO wipe out this
principle OF appropriation. but II was
poln'ed out-and in no weak terms--that
such items a the recent plavyrornds. an.
preparation. whereby the District nar.
TOT the total of single feature NJ the
Dill is but an entering wedge which. m
Ioiiowed up. would wreck the entire sys
tenn Tor which the friends Of the District
Committee to Investigate.
Rather than take hasty action On ~.
matter. the federation determined to
study 1t closely, and to that end appo:nt-
ed committee to report upon II. How.
ever. 1t was p'ainly evident that the fed
Grafton is deeply in sympathy with tn.
sentiments Of the resolut on, although the
action taken was regarded as conserva-
tive and as merely putting the adoption
or the resolution over to another meet.
ing
the text of the resolution is as follows
This association believes in the main
tenance In full force and integrity Of the
organic act of 1878, that contract subsist-
ing between the national government and
the District of Columbia for a period of
more than thirty years.
I'VE believe that any disturbance or
breach Of financial relations existing be-
tween the national government and the
District OF Columbia, while disastrous 10
the District, would also be violation OF
the good faith Of Congress as legislated
into said act
While We regret that the board OF
District Commissioners, the only oficial
representatives of the people before Con-
gress. appear to be neither Jealous nor
steadfast in their advocacy oe this pact.
as the people of the District have a right
to expect and a right to insist upon, we
congratulate the taxpayers of the Dis
trict that they have In The Evening Star
SO firm, SO consistent and so constant q
champion Of this charter OF their financial
and political rights.
I'VE record our opposition to anv con-
gressional exception to this agreement
OF every degree or kind. ard to the end
that the progress Of District appropria-
ton bill in Congress may be Closely
watched for possible infractions of this
agreement We recommend that COM
mittee be formed, to be called the COM
mittee on organic act, and to be prepared
to appear before any committee of Con-
gress and to oppose any violation Of the
act Of 1S7S.
Commissioners Are Scored.
In support OF this resolution Mr.. Clay
ton said, in part:
I'VE have no quarrel with the Com
missioners. This is simply to establish
our policy in regard TO this matter OF
extreme Importance. We yielded up
our franchise thirty years ago. and
have seen millions OF dollars expended
without our voice, and the Commits
sioners should realize this. Therefore
this committee should he formed to
watch for possible violations of the
organic act
THE Commissioners themselves are
violating the act when they ask the tax
payers of the District to put their hands
i'm their pockets to pay for water meters.
believe the United States should pay
half
1.-The federation should take notice OF
the police and firemen's pension fund and
see that it is properly entered in the
next appropriation act. and the United
States should pay one-half, for the pen
sion fund is as much a part of the two
departments as fuel and supplies.
THE Fairgrounds item was a viola.
ton of that promise of the United
States to ray half of the Districts ex-
pense. and it is on such matters as
this that we should stand together and
declare we will not accent another such
tion We do not believe there
Is any attempt tn overthrow the organic
act by direct assault but sapping and
will continue at all times
unless some one takes hand to stop IT.
''The manner of paying for street ex-
tensions is a violation of the organic act:
and when sneafer can assemble so
many Instances offhand 1t is about time
to form a vieiant committee to keep
watch for further depredations."
The Commissioners action I'm raising
the water rates OF tDe DlSlriCt WltnOut "A
hearing was the subject of lengthy dis
cussions Before he had finished with his
speech in favor of the organic act COM
mittee Mr. Clayton said:
I'VE believe that the cost Of any ex-
ension of the water meter system should
be met by appropriation. regularly car
led in the District app vopr!ation bill. and
n no other way. and we request that
such an item be submitted to Congress
,y the District Commissioners"
Oppose Fairgrounds Item.
This feature of the remarks will prob 4
IDLY be called up at the next meeting by 4
ne presentation of a formal motion. Mr., =
Clayton also fathered a request which
viii go to the Commissioners, asking them
o oppose the retention OF the playground
tenn In its present form in the next ap-
,ropriation act.
The report OF the committee which
.al,ed on Commissioner Judson to ask
,im to speak before the federation. ex-
planning the Commissioners views In the
natter of raising the water rates. was
he forerunner to a heated debate on the
entire water proposition. d. A. Edwards.
who called on Commissioner Judson. ~