The Washington herald., 1912-05-01
A CRUEL AND UNJUST Evasion oF A PLAIN DUTY.


fer to the tazpayng citizens the District Columbia the dus
On whether provided payment Of
pensions policemen and fmn the orphans Of
members Of each force plain evasion Of Congressional duty and
responsibility
There upon statute provides for
pensions just and reasonable law policeman must
fifteen before he entitled retirement unless in the
meantime happen moment of the day night he be-
ncapactated through performance duty The pension
which may however, small be inadequate
for the support of himself and his dependent family is law
which has been force for and has been administered
wisely and economically It has met with the full of
the District people.
Unfortunately the of which these pensions have
been paid in the pasPOCs Court fines and dog xshav
inadequate necessary supply the deficiency
Out of this situation which pro-
additional upon real estate and is further pro-
posed that the question this taxation shall be the prop
erty Of the District for determination.
There necessity for this reference There necessity
either for the additional taxation which is proposed
The of the District ample the small de-
mand made upon them by the deficit pension fund the
District burdend by heavy debt there might be
for qubng but such the The bonded debt being
reduced at the Of 100000 and the small floating
debtedness incurred during period great material Improvement
is being wiped out in the ratio.
There the world why the pension fund which
amounts only about $1250Oo annually should be included in
the regular budget and placed the plane with all other
District expenditures this should be ought be dOne
there would trouble about paying and the deserving bene
fcaries would receive their Just allowance.
Instead of this simple equitable method settling the
in its operation certain privileged and which will al
most much all probability the insignificant amount involved
in the pension deficiency evident however from the debate
and the upon proposition that there disposition in the
House open the door suffrage the District Of Columbia and
ignore plain provision organic which divides
cal expenditures equal basis between the District and the Fed
eral government
Both propositions are most undesirable The sentiment of the
people of the District against suffrage here The dgraeul
period franchise exercised ab
hOnt We have pOspered and progressed under
admirable system of government and change might easily
disastrous the privilege of voting should be restricted to the
wealthy proposed ide situation
would be undeniaby than tits present with votes universally
who unfortunately happened be poor would be de-
MED voice in local affairs condition unpaoc and
American to be unworthy of the National Capital
the House Representatives does not want to do the honest
fair thing and the pensions the policemen and hmen let
squarely and repeal the law This however would
manfesy the who have devoted their lives
protection and defense of life and property and their widows
orphans hea openly take such
apparently hopes accomplish the result by ndi
reeon make the property Of the District de-
eide whether the policemen provision
support after hazardous service but they
cde shall be at the cost Of abgang the financial arrangement
established by law and equby operated for than thirty
From point of view the action of the House places the
people distinct and improper disadvantage The alter
native presented is unfair and unreasonable
police and fire pensions should be part of the District
budget paid without puee and cruel delay Every other large
city in the country regards police and fire pension fund
necessary just expense The people the District who recognize
appreciate the splendid service which the policemen and fremen
in the past and still performing perfectly
willing the pension should be paid this legitimate and
fashion.
repeat that there occasion for additional taxation
referendum Congress will do its plain duty under the
isting concocted the House of Representatives
nothing than reprehensible evasion Of this duty
meantime aged policemen and fremen and the widows
orphans suffering hardship and deprivation through
the curtament allowed them the the
people the District of Columbia The Washington Herald protests
against dea appeals Congress promptly carry into
full effect a Just and righteous law.