Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-10

for 1918 arc unduly large In fact. he Is
we'll satisfied with them. He promises
that while an effort will be made to ef-
feet reforms and economies. that the ad-
illustrative machinery of the District
government will not be crippled.
II hope to see every department of the
municipality raised to the highest degree
reporter yesterday afternoon This state
ment came Immediately after the appro-
priations subcommittee, Of which he Is
chairman. had decided to begin hearings
morning. with the three Commissioners In
attendance
Knows Of No Hostility.
THE efficiency proposition will be the
policy of this Congress in dealing With
the District estimates. in my Judgment.
Mr.. Burleson continued. IF there is any
general hostility on the part Of Congress
toward the District, do not know of it.
OF course. there is very earnest desire
on the part of Congress to bring about an
economical administration of District af-
fairs ard at the same time raise the ef-
ficiency of the municipal government.
do not think the District government is
extravagant. 1 do not think the estimates
of the Commissioners for the next nscai
year are eXtravagant.
But as chairman of the subcommittee
on District appropriations. l Will welcome
any suggestions looking TO a more eco
nomical adm nistration. L Will be glad OF
the cooperation of members from elmer
side of the House in this work
In desiring to place the administration
of the District on the most economical
foot ng compatible with high efficiency. 1t
is not intended TO make such cuts as
would impair or cripple the working ma
chiEery of the municipality. AS chair
man of the subcommittee 1 would be the
<irct clS~ trs1h no IA
att tude Of Congress is one of earnest
fr.endliness and good will for the Dis
trict of Columbia
Sure Congress Is Friendly.
Henry George, jr, of New York, a
member Of the District committee of the
House. which, while having nothing to
do with the annual appropriation bill,
is charged with the duty Of preparing
all general legislation for the municipal
ity. talked to q Star reporter in the
same strain.
My feeling is" he said. that the dis
position of Congress toward the District
of Columbia Is one of warm friendliness.
] am certain that this is the feeling OF
most of the men on the House District
committee from the chairman down. The
. desire in that committee has been not
merely to carry along the work OF the
do some progressive work in this Con-
gress.
Il can speak more particularly of my
own subcommittee on assessments and
taxation. i have found a disposition. both
in the committee and in the municipal
government, to consider the whole ma
chinery of assessment and taxation and
the policy of taxation. This prompts
me to believe that the other branches
OF the House committee will also find
the city government ready to cooperate
In establishing improvements where real
improvements are worth while.
''As an instance of progress in my as
sessments and taxation province, 1 would
point to a bill introduced by Chairman
Johnson. 1t is bill to require the re-
cital of the real consideration In deeds.
mortgages and deeds of trust to property
in the District Assessor Richards has
complained for some time of the diff
to the real consideration in such cases.
Such Information Is needed as a basis
of assessment. Chairman johnson fills
this need by this bill"
Has Formed No Conclusions.
Representative Redfleld Of New York,
another democratic member Of the Dis
trict committee, who is prominent in
the inquiry now being conducted by that
body into several branches of the Dis
trict government. frankly outlined his
attitude:
II have been asked by the chairman
OF the District committee" he said. ito
inquire into the system of purcha sing
now used by the Distrtct-its methods,
Ats cost and its results I have taken
UP the work without forming any con-
illusions in advance. and without any
conscious prejudices. but with a clear
desire to learn-no more. no less.
There is certainly no wish on my part
TO tear down or destroy. or abuse, and nc
suggestion has been made 10 me that In
the faintest way looks toward any such
process. Being a business man myself,
shall try to find out as clearly as l car
how this particular branch of the Dis
trict's business proceeds.
lit may be the result that some criti
cism will be needed. 1t may be the resuI,
that praise will be merited. 1t may be the
result that both criticism and praise Will
seem to be required.
IT cannot tell in advance. and / have
no desire to form an opinion based upon
anything except the facts. Certainly
there is no destructive purpose in my owr
mind. and least of all any desire to find
facts on which to base opinions already
formed. A clear statement OF the truti
as II is in all its phases Is what l shall
seek to make"
Mr.. oldfeld Optimistic.
Representative Oldheld Of Arkansas
another democratic member Of the Dis
trict committee. is optimistic concerning
the treatment the District will receive
at the hands of this Congress.
Constructive and not destructive leg1s
lation is what the District needs,'' he
said. "and believe this is what the pres
ent House will try to give il. That moth
ing will be done without due consideration