The Washington herald., 1911-05-10

Reform in the relations existing
between Congress and the District
of Columbia is sought through a
resolution introduced in the Wash
ington Chamber of Commerce at its
regular monthly meeting last night
1t is urged by the framer of the
resolution, Albert Sctulteis, tina:
the interests of the District of Co
lunbia would be better subserved il
appropriation bills having for their
object the District expenditures
were framed by the committees
of the District of Columbia in the
House of Representatives and the
Senate.
TO PLACE RESPONSIBILITY.
The present course OF District money
legislation is through the subcommittee
on the District of Columbia in the gen.
eral appropriations committees of both
Houses. Under the suggested plan, the
preparation. introduction. and support OF
the District appropriation bills would fall
upon the members of the District or
Columbia committees. There is a strong
sentiment in the Chamber of Commerce
favoring the suggestion.
Mr.. Schulteis' resolution was discussed
for more than an hour. A considerable op-
position developed. Chaplin Brown, gen.
eral counsel for the Chamber of Com
merce, warned the members against pre-
cipitate action, which he told them might
prove prejudicial to the best interests of
the District. He suggested that the ten
dency now among the national legisla-
tors was toward concentration Of the ap-
propriating power in one great appropria-
tons committee in each House. He
feared that this resolution would be re-
sented by Congress.
Charles W. Clagett favored the resolu-
tion in amended form. He said that he
thought it should be referred to the
standing committee on law and legisla-
ton. W. A. Foster also favored this
form of the resolution.
Mr.. Brown then urged that this resolu-
tion was a matter of policy rather than
Of law. and desired that it should be
referred to the board of directors of the
Chamber.
President Oyster was of the same opin-
ion, but when the motion for the passage
of the resolution was put 1t was promptly
passed, without a division being called
for, notwithstanding a strenuous chorus
of noes from Mr.. Browns quarter of
the room.
The following is the text Of the Schulz
teis resolution:
Resolved, That 1t is the sense of the
Washington Chamber of Commerce that
the rules of the Congress of the United
States should be so amended as to au-
thorize and direct the two committees
of the District of Columbia, respectively
of the Senate and House, to consider
and recommend all appropriations for
the District of Columbia: And be 1t fur
ther resolved, That special committee
Of five be appointed by the chair with
power to act in the premises to present
these resolutions to the presiding off,
GERS of the Senate and House. and the
chairmen of the committees of the Dis
trict of Columbia
Good Roads Movement.
Robert n. Harper, for the Washing
Good Roads Association.
reported that meeting had been held
In Leesburg yesterday and that the nee
essary funds for the construction Of the |
roadway were now assured. Mr.. Har-
per then explained how the creation Of
this much-needed improvement would be |
He said: |
''The total distance from the Virginia |
end OF the Chain Bridge to Goose Creek, |
Va, is twenty-five and a half miles. OF |
this distance the counties of Fairfax and |
Alexandria are prepared TO finish their |
three and one half miles. In the Lou
doun County section there are remain /