Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-05
Oldest inhabitants Engage in
Animated Debate.
Is WITHDRAWN
Abolition of Half-and- Half Arrange
ment Denounced
NO ACTION ON MATTER TAKEN
Several Amendments to Association's
Bylaws Submitted-Offer
of Manuscripts.

The reported intention of Chairman
Johnson OF the House District committee
10 recover 70 the federal government the
thousands of dollars expended on the
bonded debt of the District OF Columbia
and to repeal the organic act of 1878. by
"hlch the expenses of the District are
Borne equally by the government and
District, precipitated warm debate and
contributed to making last nights meet
ing of the Association of Oldest Inhabi-
tants ono of the most interesting held in
many months.
\ resolution condemnn. the So-called
Johnson plan was read by Harry O. Hall.
1t characterized as unfair and unjust the
proposition to unload on the citizens OF
the District the expensive task of main
tanning capital city for the entire nited
States. The increase in water rates also
was referred to In the resolution as en-
phaszing the helpessness of Washington
residents in matters affecting taxation.
Louis P. Shoemaker's Comment.
Eve probably arc bit premature in
giving consideration to this question,
said Louis T. Shoemaker, who obtained
the floor Immediately after the reading
of the resolution. ".\s far as l have been
able to determine there is no bill pending
before Congress to repeal the organic
law of 1878, nor is the matter up Tor
consideration by committee of Congress.
We have nothing tangible to show US
there is need for alarm. Should CHAIR
man Johnson take steps to this end, as
it is reported he will when Congress con-
venes, there will then be plenty of time
for this association to place ltSelI on
record against the plan.
Tho proposition, in my. opinion, Is
eminently unfair and unjust. 1t would
mean that the ECO. Q.n residents of Wash
ington would be compelled to bear the
entire burden of keeping up a capital
city for about 9O.00OO0O other. residents
Of the United States. At present we pay
half the sinking fund and bonded debt.
If we are to be compelled to pay all.
then we should be allowed to govern our
own affairs instead of having the rep
resentatives of the mO00,O0O other resi-
dents Of the United States do 1t. If we
are to pay all the expenses of making
Washington beautiful. q city for the en-
tire country to be proud Of then we
should have fun say to how wide our
streets are to be and where our parks
and sewers are to be constructed
Mr. Shoemakers remarks were heartily
applauded
Benjamin F. Evans believed the discus
sion was premature and Mr.. Hall did not
ueIIS tIIS. out dSieco t'ioe NhcIc
there was SO much smoke there must be
some fire. an editorial appearing in
The Star Of yesterday being cited as
proof the press is taking cogniZance OF
the possibilities of the situation.
In an effort to determine whether the
constitution and bylaws of the associa-
ton provided for the entertainment of
such resolution Vice President William
II. Singleton read the objects of the as
ISOLATION and after considerable debate
Mr.. Hall was allowed to withdraw his
resolution.
Offer of Manuscripts.
What purported to be manuscripts from
the pens of John Howard Payne, author
of Home. Sweet Home; John Barry.
the father of the navy, and Francis
Scott Key. author of THE Star Spangled
Banner were submitted for inspection
by o. S. Bowie, through A. H. Regan.
MIR. Bowie formerly was employed by
Robert Beall, who kept an old book
store on Pennsylvania avenue for many
years, and the owner said he had got the
manuscripts from a scrap book purchased
some forty years ago by Mr.. Beall. Mr..
Bowie offered to give any one of three
manuscripts to the association for it's mu-
scum. Chairman Singleton declined to
serve on the committee to determine the
authenticity Of the papers. declaring he
feared to be responsible for the manu-
scripts. which. il genuine. were very val
liable. 1t was agreed that John B. Nc
Carthy, corresponding secretary. should
compare the writings with originals in the
Library Of Congress and report at the
next meeting.
A copy of the charter of the city OF
Washington of date Of 1S4S, thirty years
prior to the enactment of the organic
law. was presented to the association
by A. II. Regain. and Capt. James z.
Heffner donated a time-worn volume con-
tanning the message of President James
superintendent of the city of Washing
ton and the surveyor of public buildings.
in addition to a report Of the expenditure
of money appropriated May 1. 1S11 for
the completion of the Capitol. The donors
were given a vote of thanks by the as
ISOLATION.
An Interesting PHOTOGRAPH,