The Washington herald., 1911-10-04
MAY MEET ATTACK
ON ORGANIC LAW
WITH SUBSTITUTE
Judson Finance Bill Again
Under Discussion.
WHAT IT'S AUTHOR SAYS

That any attempt to repeal the half
in-half revenue-raising plan of { the
District organic law will result in a
determined effort to procure the pas
sage at the next session of Congress
of the Judson finance bill was an opin-
ion freely expressed yesterday
The Judson measure will, it is be-
lieved, satisfy those Congressman who
think the money paid by the Federal
government for the District admins
tration is not properly expended. The
present threat to take away all or
large part of the Federal support is
thought to have been born OF a belief
that the money has been disbursed for
ordinary municipal expenses, rather
than for the improvement of the city
as the Nations Capital.
NOT EASY TO REPEAL LAW.
| 1t is considered doubtful that Chair
Committee, who is mentioned as espe-
| cially concerned in the threatened as
sault on the organic law. will be able
| TO command majority following either
| in the subcommittee appointed to inves-
tigate the District administration or in
! the full committee.
Two men there are on the District
Committee whose attitude in the prem
ises is considered problematical. They
are Representatives Lobeck. of Nebras-
ka, and Oldfeld. of Arkansas. Both
are members OF the subcommittee, the
latter having introduced the resolution
calling for the investigation.
Opposed to Higher Taxes.
Representative Oldfeld has put himself
on record many times as being unalter-
ably opposed to increasing the taxes of
WashingtOn's disfranchised citizens
His main object has been a desire to as
certain if possible a means by which
District taxation may be reduced with
out impairing the efficiency of the mu-
niCipal government or retarding the plans
for the development of the National Cap
ital.
Representative Lobeck. of Nebraska,
probably has had a wider experience in
affairs of municipal finance than any
other member of the committee He
served six years as councilman of Omaha
and nine years as city comptroller. Busi-
ness men do not believe the talked-of
attack on the District will meet with
his appreciation.
Mai. JudsOn's View.
Commissioner. served notice yesterday
that IL the plan he proposed last winter
could not be pushed through Congress-
at the next session, he would favor the
repeal of the half-and-half system and
the substitution OF a fixed annual ap-
preparation from the Federal treausry
Maj. Judson said he found members of
Congress suspicious Of the distribution
of District funds; firm in the belief
that the national features of the city,
the improvements that go to make it a
National Capital. were being neglected
and the money used for expenses such as
any municipality might incur.
Because of this sentiment" said Mai.
Judson. II drafted my bill. which pro-
posed simply to provide that a fixed sum
should be named in the Commissioners
estimates each year to spend on what
may call the national features of the
city's development. This was the one
important point in the bill wk!ch was
defeated in the House last March.
1T was intended to provide a guaran-
tee that for twelve years to come a
certain minimum sum should be used
each year toward the development Of
the national features of the city. It
could be made larger, but 1t must not
be less.
Il mentioned certain specific improve
ments that must be provided for in this
way. The reclamation of the Anacostia
flats and their conversion into parks, gen.
eral extension of the park system, con-
struction of public wharves, &c. These |
are all things the people want. They |
have not been getting them" said Maj. |
Judson in conclusion.