Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-20
Two Auto Project Defeated.

Representative Mann Of Illinois offered
an amendment to the bill which would
effect the purchase of an automobile
for each of the two civilian Commits
sioners the bill being framed to obtain
one to be used between the two OF them
The amendment called forth several out
bursts of rage from congressman with
well known anti-motor vehicle procivl-
ties. Representative Cox OF Indiana
made the statement that automobiles do
not increase efficiency, and that the pur-
|, chase of two-thousand-dollar autono-
biles does not add diligence to the work
Of any officials. Representative Sims OF
Tennessee came to the front for auto
mobiles for civilians if they were to be
granted to the engineer officers His de-
Tense was based the statement that
he had lost several pounds of flesh dodg-
ing motor cars in the last ten years.
After several others had aired their
views on the subject of automobiles the
committee voted against the Mann
amendment. and but one car Will be
bought
One of the greater excitements of yes
terday afternoon came when Representa-
tive Mondell of Wyoming attacked the
District committee after he had offered
an amendment providing for So0Uo for
new fish wharf. Representative Johnson
az Kentucky had opposed the amendment,
stating that the present wharf is on
United States property, and that the re-
ceipts from ii are divided by the District
and the United States.
And now they ask for s5oouU more
there, with view to increasing the re-
ceipts of that place in order that the
United States may be further penalized
along that line" he said.
Wants Constructive Legislation.
Representative Mondell, charging the
District committee with being destructive
instead of constructive. said:
He has nothing to say as to the neces-
sity of this market, as to the wisdom or
advisability of there being a market
there; but he does not want the appro-
priation made, because he says the gov
eminent owns the land and the District
is getting a few measly dollars out OF IT.
Therefore we must do nothing. That Is
his argument"
unfortunately this attitude of fault
finding and inaction has been that OF a
certain number of gentlemen toward this
District for a good long time. II this
land belongs 10 the government. and IL
ought to belong to the District, why does
not the committee having charge OF these
matters bring in a bill under which 1T
will be sold 10 the District and under
which the District shall pay for il? If,
en- the other hand, it should remain the
property of the government and the Dis
trict is securing and may secure reve-
nues that it ought not to secure from
this source why does not the committee
aying charge of those matters remedy
1t? Must we forever hear that the Dis
trict shall continue TO be disgraced by
this miserable, tumble-down, insanitary
FISH market because there is some ques-
ton about who owns the land. some
question about a few measly dollars of
revenue 10 be derived from it? 1t seems
to me that instead of a constant and
never-ending sreiteratioD of excuses for
not doing things, it is about time that
we have some constructive legislation
under which things can be done. /. for
one. have taken great pride in Washing
ton, but it is Earring to that pride to
have the city disgraced in the character
OF the landing place of some of its most
famous pToducts-a landing p ace and |
distributing point OF the character of
that tumble-down, insanitary PROPOSE
ton down there on the river front. If
there is any question about the owner
ship of it, let us settle il. If there'i is
any question about where the revenue
shall CO. let US have the question set led.
but in the name of humanity, in the
name OF our pride in this great capital.
let US do something constructive, and not
constantly complain and find fault and
criticise and give excuses for not doing
things
Mr.. Johnson pleads Guilty.
few moments later Representative