The Washington times., 1913-07-16
JOHNSON ASKS FOR
INQUIRY ON DISTRICT
Chairman of Committee Urges
Reopening of Investigation
Started Last Year.

II the plans of Congressman Ben
johnson, chairman of the House Dis
trict Committee. are approved by the
House, that committee will reopen Its
wholesale investigation of District al
fairs within a few days. Mr.. Johnson
has introduced a resolution to authorize
the committee to finish the investigating
work 1t started last session, and the
Question of tax assessments will take
precedence, If the probe is ordered.
Tax Assessor William P. Richards
probably viii be the first District Of
ficisl called to the stand when the Dis
trict committee renews its probe! The
tax assessor is understood to have sig
nified his willingness to appear whel-
ever wanted.
The George report on assessment and
taxation in the District-which de-
clared that the wealthy property own
ers had all the better of the assess
ments-is now being read by the new
members of the District committee ana
there is a sentiment in the committee
to proceed with legislation to equalize
the taxation burdens in the National
Capital
II the new probe of the fiscal affairs
of the District is ordered, the House
committee probably will go into the
records of practically every branch OF
the District government.
The johnson resolution authorizes the
committee to inquire into the affairs OF
officials. past and present, and the COM
mittee may delve into the records OIL
former administrations. The burden Of
the Investigation, however, probably
VIII be the taxation system, which the
George report declared showed gross
discrimination between section and sec
ton and between class and class"
The. johnson resolution of lnvesusa-
ton has been referred to the Rules
Committee. but there is still an uhex-
pended balance in the investigation fund
of the Sixty-second Congress, and the
committee understands that 1t is en-
powered TO use that, even IL the Rules
Committee delays action on the new
resolution
In addition to authorizing the inyesti-
cation of all books and accounts of
various District officers and of any per-
son having business dealings with the
District government. the Johnson reso-
lut1on provides that:
The committee is empowered further
TO inquire into and investigate the off,
cfai conduct, acts, commissions and CO.
fngs of any officer or employe (past or
presenD of the District of Columbia
And said committee hereby is en-
powered. further. to inquire into and
investigate the books, accounts, and
affairs of any public utility or COM
mon carrier doing business or OPP
Grating in the District of Columbia.
including any ice manufacturer. any
tion, any market company. any taxi
cab or motor vehicle company, the
Washington Terminal Company. any
cold-storaee or warehouse conpany.
and any person. company or corpora
ton dealing in meats or other pro-
visions in :he District of Columbia.
For the purposes above set out the
said committee is hereby empowered, n
its discretion. TO send for and compel
the attendance Of persons and the pro-
duction of books and papers before It:
and the chairman, or acting chairman.
NAV administer caths or affirmations.
fhe sum Of S7e,eo or so much thera-
OF as NAV be necessary. hereby is an.
propriated out of the contingent fund ot
the. House in order that this resolution
may be put into effect. Said committee
or subcommittee. as the case may be.
Is empowered to sit during the sessions
OF Congress or during the recesses be-
tween sessions OF Congress, and may
employ stenographers and accountants
who shall be paid out of said s2n000
upon vouchers signed by the chairman
or acting chairman of said committee
and approved by the Committee on Ac-
counts"