The Washington herald., 1911-07-11

Before the proposition to raise
the water tax in the District can
become law it must pass the care
full scrutiny of certain members OF
Congress and the House District
Committee, if statements yester-
day may be taken as indication OF
the sentiment at the Capitol.
If the Commissioners show a de-
termination to increase the rate OF
water tax, as proposed, the ques-
ton will constitute a part of the
programme of the House subcom-
mittee that is to investigate the Dis
trict, its administration, corpora
ton, and financial status.
PROTESTS ARE HEARD.
Only one OF the members OF the sub
committee could be found yesterday,
but several have watched the progress
Of the storm of protest that has arisen
as result OF Commissioner Judson's
proposal and only when they have
been thoroughly convinced of the ne
cessity and practicability OF the plan
will they consent TO its adoption.
81 have not had time to go into the
merits of the case thoroughly" said
Representative OldheId, of Arkansas.
but think the question will have to
stand a thorough probe before Con-
gress will sanction the adoption of the
proposed plan. Undoubtedly the ques-
tion will be taken up by the committee
If the matter is pushed at all.
I'VE could not say, offhand, whether
the plan is either wise or necessary
Perhaps the proposed increase In rates
is the only possible course to do away
with the deficit in the Office Of the wa
ter department. Again. 1t is possible
other means may be employed that will
not react so harshly on the people who
can least afford to pay the proposed in
crease.
Expenses to Be CurtaiIed.
"One of the chief efforts of the in
vestigating committe will be to find
means of cutting down the expenses
of running the District government
without impairing its efficiency. II an
economy scheme can he worked with
regard to the water department and
make the proposed increase in rates
unnecessary, so much the better"
That there will be any hearings of
the subcommitte appointed by Chair
man Johnson, of the District Commit
tee, before September or October now
seems improbable. Even now, with
Congress nominally in session, al
though adJourning over three-day Pc
RODS, 1t would be almost impossible to
get together a quorum of the subcom-
mittee.
Chairman johnson, although he origi-
nalIy intended to spend practically ths
entire summer here at the probe, is now
in Atlantic City, recuperating from the
effects OF the heat. Representative
Berger, of Wisconsin. is away and
probably will be absent a large part
of the remainder of the session.
That any OF the members will con-
sent to stay in Washington after ad-
journment in order 20 conduct public
hearings in August is considered un-
likely, although when Chairman John
son announced the personnel of the in
vestigating committee he gave it to
be understood that practically all of
the members had consented to stay in
Washington and see the thing through.
May Return to Work.
What probably will be done at the
time of adjournment involves an agree
ment between members Of the subcom-
mittee and Chairman johnson that the
former will return to Washington
about September, and then settle down
to real work. using data collected by
Accountant Mayes as working basis
for the probe.
The question of the proposed increase
is now in the hands of the Engineer
Commissioner, and has been referred to
Supt. Mcfarland. of the water depart
ment. Mr.. Mcfarland said, yesterday
afternoon, he was not ready to make
report on the increase.
No action relative to a boost in the
tax has been taken. AS Commissioner
Rudolph is absent from the city on his
vacation, and the increase cannot be
levied before July /, 1912, 1t is likely
the Commissioners will announce no
definite decision for some time.
G. L. U. Takes Action.
The Central Labor Union. at its meet
ing last night. authorized the appoint
ment of a committee of five to investigate
the proposed change in the water rates
of the District Emmett L. Adams, of
the Machinists' Union. was named as
chairman. and the other members viii
be appointed within the next few days.
It is the intention OF John B. Snellings,
president Of the union. to have the COM
mittee report next Monday, when the at
titude Of the labor unions Of the city will
be determined.
No opinion as to the increase has been
expressed by labor leaders. as they said
they were not posted on the situation.