The Washington herald., 1912-03-03


ed fayoring the elimination from the
District appropriation BIN Of the item
Of a5.s6 for the maintenance OF the
Fairgrounds Of the city unless provision
be made for the payment Of the amount
on the half-and-half basis.
Rather no Fairgrounds than passive
acquiescence In n fiagrant violation OF a
solemn and enduring compact reads a
section of the resolution. The appropria-
ton bill at present provides for the pay
ment OF the entire sum out OF the reve-
nues Of the District.
HaIf-and-haIf Basis.
Another resolution was adopted. indors-
ing the amendment Of the Gallinger bill
for the creation of public utilities com
mission, so as TO place the cost on the
alf-and-half basis. An amendment 10
this effect was recently Introduced by
Senator Gallinger and approved by the
Senate. The fourth organic act resolu-
tion opposes the retention OF section II OF
the District appropriation bill, which Is
termed unjust and unfair to the District
of columbia and yiolative OF the Imam
cial agreement subsisting between the
national government and the District"
A resolution, introduced by James F.
Wood of the East End Suburban Citi-
zens' Association. was adopted. favoring
the enactment of legislation providing
for an increase In the wages Of laborers
In the District street cleaning depart
ment OF from $50 to 81 a day. A COM
mittee, composed Of Mr.. Wood, chair
man; c. W. Burr, Of the Anacostia Citi-
sens' Association. and Lemuel Fugitt, of
the Southeast Washington Citizens' AS
sociation, submitted TO the federation an
exhaustive report on cond tons surround
ing employees Of the street cleanings de-
partment In comparison with those sur
rounding the employees OF other municip-
alities.
The committee reported that in WASH
ington the cost OF living is higher and
the wages are lower than in any other
city in the United States.
Col. Lancaster Present.
The meeting was a spirited one, and
there were many tits between Col.
Charles c. Lancaster, OF the Northwest
Citizens Suburban Association, and other
members OF the organization. A spirited
discussion arose when ID. A. Edwards, OF
the Lincoln Park Citizens Association. |
moved to defer action on a resolution
by Col Lancaster. urging the
Of the Congressional appro-
prlation for the maintenance of Columbia
Hospital Col. Lanca ter told OF the in
justice In disseminating the appropriation
and urged the adoption Of his resolution. |
Mr.. Edwards suggested that action be
deferred as he presumed many OF the 1
present were not familiar with |
both sides OF the proposition. Col Lam |
caster was on his feet In a moment.
'I am extremely sorry" he said. /
that our friend Edwards has hid him |
self under a bushel for the past three |
months. Why. friend, you people on
Capitol Hill have got to wake up. Do |
you mean TO tell me that with all OF
the Newspaper comment during the
past two or three months, you are ig- |
norant Of the situation? To defer |
action on this measure will mean to |
kill 1t. Immediate action is neces- |
cary"
Mr.. Clayton supported Mr.. Edwards, |
expressing the opinion that further |
consideration should be given the ques- |
tion before taking vote. Mr.. Clay |
ton said the District is not getting the |
full benefit at the present time Of the |
funds which Congress appropriates for |
the partial support OF private charity |
in. the city. Il was finally |
decided TO refer the resolution to
committee for report at the next meet
ing.
Denounced as Unjust.
George r. williams, Of the Bright
wood Park Citizens Association, intro /
duced a resolution opposing the present !
system of assessing as benefits property /
abutting streets which have been i'm
proved by the District The system was
denounced as unjust.
Congress assesses many pieces OF
said Col Lancaster. which I
receive absolutely no benefit from the
adjacent improvements. A benefit is q
fact. and Congress CANT make fact
How, then, can II reasonably assess /
piece of property for benefits which ac-
tualIy receives no benefits? There is
not a more outrageous scheme in ex-
istence. The fault lies with the Com
What / would have Is
phrase inserted in all condemnation bills
providing for the assessment Of prop
erty as benefits, If any If any is
the important phrase. The lack OF this
phrase In the measure Of the present
day is where the injustice OF the sys-
tenn lies"
The resolution was referred to a COM
mittee, consisting of Mr.. Williams, Col.
Lancaster, Ind Mr.. Holiday, Of the
Chevy Chase Citizens Association, for
meeting.
James W. Dyer, Of the Takoma Park
Association, introduced a reso-
luton indorsing the bill providing for the
OF universal transfers in
the District. The matter was referred
10 a committee for consideration. Mr..
Dyer said that he was directed to intro
luce the resolution by his association,
and that personally he was in favor OF
action pending the outcome
of the bill providing for the creation OF a
public utilities commission. which would
have full power to decide the universal
transfer question.
Regrets Loss of Moore.
Mr. Edwards introduced a resolution,
which was adopted, expressing the re-
sret Of the federation at the resignation
II Representative Hampton Moore
from the House District Committee.
THE absence of this faithful friend
from the committee is distinct loss to
The District and a personal regret to ALL"
reads the resolution.
Col. Lancaster introduced two resolu-
ions, opposing the bills now pending
before Congress, providing for con-
'err1ng upon the District Commission
ers authority to make and enforce reg
Ilations concerning the installation OF gas
appliances, and for the appointment OF
/. corps of gas inspectors to make house
io-house visits for the purpose of seeing
hat the regulations arc enforced. Col
Lancaster said that the legislation, II
passed, would cause a violation Of the
,anctity of the home. Il believe that
,very mans home is his castle" said
Al 4