Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-06
No Disposition. It Is Declared, to
Act Arbitrarily.
ATTITUDE OF MR.. JOHNSON
Proposed Refund of Many Millions
of Dollars to National Treasury
Under Discussion-Views
of Citizens.


lucky. which was authorized at the
last session of Congress to investigate
every branch of the government of the
District of Columbia will meet in
Washington in November.
The first proposition to be taken up
will be that of the financial relations
between the federal government and
the District, and the assertion made by
Chairman Johnson that the District
owes the United States millions of dol
lars. Accountant Mays. after working
all summer, has finished his examina-
ton into this phase Of the inquiry, and
mittee when the members get together.
The question as to the existence of
this debt has to do with the past
But the next and most important step
in the committees work will have TO
de with the future. The committee
Will give careful consideration to the
existing partnership arrangement be-
tween the federal government and the
District under the organic act Of 1878,
and to propositions that may be ad-
vanced by Chairman Johnson or others
as to the necessity for radical change.
Committee to Give Hearings.
Upon these questions there will be hear
lngs. No attempt will be made by Chair
man Johnson and those of his colleagues
on the special committee who agree with
his views. to bring about any alterations
IN the system of government Of this terri
torial municipality without giving local
residents chance to be heard. In fact
Mr. Johnson, according to his own state
ments, will welcome the opportunity to
exchange views on the all-important uues-
ton of the relations between the District
and the federal government with the rep
resentative business men Of Washington
He wants the opportunity to ask ques-
tions and inform himself personally con-
corning the sentiment here.
Hearing before the special committees
authorized at the special session of Con-
gress to investigate every branch Of the
Districts affairs will be begun some time
In November. This SPECIAL committee
of which Mr. Johnson is also Chairman.
Will meet here early in the month, and
after reviewing the data which will be
then presented by Accountant Mays, COW
ering the relations between the District
ana the federal government. not only
since the enactment of the organic act OF
1878 but for several years prior to that
date. will set date for public hearings.
Representative L. c. Dyer of Missouri.
formerly a resident of this city, a re-
publican member of the House District
who is also a member of
the special committee of inquiry, is
now in Washington, having come here
at this time to familiarize himself with
local conditions and local sentiment, and"
to make study of the organic act, the
operation of the half-and-half principle
in theory and practice. and to acquire
matters of vital Importance to the
people Of the National Capital.
Declines to Discuss Measures.
Representative Dyer, expressing himself
as entirely friendly to the District of Co
lumbia, and desirous of aiding in its
growth and advancement along all lines
declined today to comment upon the re-
ported intention of Chairman johnson to
demand the repayment by the District to
the federal government of approximately
SO, 000.GG0 alleged to have been erro-
neously charged against the federal Treas
ury on the partnership books, and to
urge the termination of the partnership
and the placing of the District on a fixed
annual allowance of possibly not more
than 81 600 600 from the federal Treasury.
LAS / am d member of the special COM
mittee authorized at the last session Of
Congress to investigate the District af-
fairs" said Mr.. Dyer, .'and member as
well, of the District committee itself, l do
not think it would be becoming in me to
discuss at this time the merits of the vari-
Gus PROPOSITIONS advanced. 1t is Mr.. john
sons idea in which I know we all con-
cur that every member of the special
committee should make q close study of
the situation, with particular reference to
fol
tween the federal government and the
District.
lit will be the province Of the special
committee to make recommendations to
the District committee with references
to any changes that may be agreed upon
as wise or essential So far as l know
there is no disposition on the part Of
any member OF the special committee.
from the chairman down. 20 reach any
conclusion without mature deliDeratlon
and without giving the people of Wash
ington every chance to be heard l shall
remain here about three weeks at this
time, studying the local problem. and
after a brief visit to my home In st.
Louis will return here to work with the
special committee. l should think the
special committee would be ready to be-
gin hearings the latter part of NOvem-
ber or early in December"
Commissioners to Aid Inquiry.
Mr.. Dyer added that he had been prom
ised aid and cooperation by the board OF
District Commissioners and that as re-
suit of his interest in the matter. he had
accepted an invitation Of the Commits
sioners to sit with them next Monday at
the hearipg Of the Horstman charges
against Samuel T. Kalbfus of the excise
ocard and board of assistan: assessors.
All is in readiness for the special COM
mittee to begin consideration OF that
phase Cf the inquiry based on the al
legation of Chairman johnson that the
Dlstr.-t of Columbia, as result OF
faulty, enormously conceived bookkeep-
ing methods, owed the federal govern
ment millions of dollars.
Accountant Mays is now in Kentucky
for brief vacation. He. too. will re-
turn to Washington early in November
and be on hand to explain his figures and