Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-08
Confident Congress Will Not
Abrogate HaIf-and-Half
Plan for District.
HENRY B. F. MCFARLAND
HEADS EXECUTIVE BODY
Dr. Wiley to Name Members rs-Sena-
tor MARITIME Pledges Aid for
Greater Capital

OF the financial relations between the
FEDERAL government and the District,
and to oppose unfair changes in the
taxation laws here, was launched yes
terday afternoon at a meeting of the
recently formed citizens committee of
100 at the New Willard Hotel. The
meeting was attended by large num-
ber OF men and women prominent in
business and professional circles.
Henry B. F. Mcfarland, former presi-
dent of the board of District Commits
sioners. was unanimously chosen chair
man of the executive committee of ten
which was authorized to begin work i'm
mediately and to frame a plan of organiz-
alton and work to be presented to the
entire committee at a meeting to be held
next Wednesday afternoon at o'clock.
Or. Harvey w. Wiley, chairman of the
general committee, who presided at the
meeting yesterday, was elected a member
of the executive committee, and was au-
thorized to appoint the other members
He said that he will announce the other
members tomorrow. and will endeavor
10 choose men well qualified to speak
for the people of the District on taxa
tion questions.
Expect Congress to Be Fair.
The general opinion of those present
as indicated by speeches and votes
was apparently unanimously in favor
OF the continuance of the half-and-
half plan. and opposed to the Prouty-
johnson amendment to the George tax
alton bill 1t also was the general
opinion that Congress generally will
act fairly toward the District if the
members are informed of the facts
Among those. who spoke at the meet
ing We're Senator MARITIME of New Jersey,
former Senator Marion Butler of North
Carolina. DIR. Wiley, Mr.. Macfarland, B.
u. warner Miss Janet Richards. former
Judge c. S. Bundy of the Municipal Court
and c. c. Lancaster. A large number of
those announced yesterday as members of
the committee attended the meeting and
only one refusal to serve was received.
C. T. Thayer acted as secretary of the
meeting.
After Dr. Wiley had opened the meet
ing by announcing that anything which is
TO be done must be done quickly, B. II.
Warner told Of a committee of 100 which
was formed prior to the passage of the
present "organic act" and suggest ed that
the present committee follow its policy.
Macfarland Outlines Views.
Mr.. Macfariand was then enthusiastical-
~ elected chairman of the executive COM
nit,ee, and outlined his views of the situa-
lion which the District is facing He de-
rely on the wisdom and justice of Con-
gress. when the members of both houses
know the facts. Therefore. he said. the
chief duty of the committee should be to
convey the facts to Congress.
I'VE ought to keep in mind. said Mr.
Mcfarland, that we are dealing with
a principle. There are various meas
, ures proposed which strike at the same
principle. We must not become con-
fused because of the multitude of meas
. n mi md RAJ ha
organic act is the thing We want
continued, and we must do this in the
interest of the capital of the nation,
rather than as taxpayers. The people
Of Washington should study the situ-
alton and the questions involved, so
that they may be able to inform mem
bers of Congress.
Mr.. Macfarland then outlined the vari-
Gus measures which have been proposed
and which strike at the Districts best
interests. He mentioned particularly the
Crisp bill, section of the District appro-
priation bill. the Borland amendment and
George taxation bill. He declared that
the situation is still serious, and that
- much work must be done.
Settled Arrangement Needed.
Mr.. Macfarland said that a settled
financial arrangement between the fed
eral government and the District is
needed so that the tax rate and other
questions will not be left to the whim
of each successive Congress A fuc-
,uating arrangement of taxes is not
advisable from any standpoint. he said,
and an increase in taxation must inevi-
tably fall heaviest on the large num-
Der of people who are the poorest and
the least able to bear it.
Former Senator Butler declared that
he believed the people of the United
70 xx-an IN In hot is ,-is f<r ,,
National Capital. He said the great
trouble is lack of information and mis-
information concerning the District
The great number of members of Con-
gress do not know the facts, he de-
clared.
unfortunately" he continued, "at
times all the men in Congress who beaI
an Ill will against the District seem
10 get on the District of Columbia COM
inittees. What YOU need is to get full
information to the full Congress. You
should present the question in broad
way. and get as much publicity as pos
sible, using the press.
Must Keep Pace With Country"
Congress owes it to itself to make
capital in the world. The country is
growing at a marvelously rapid rate
and the capital must keep pace with it, :
Senator MARITIME caused laugh by say.
ing that he was in love, first with his
wife. and next with the city of Washing.
ton. He said he was ready and willing
and anxious to do all in reason and JUS.
tice to make Washington the creates,
and most beautiful capital in the world
1--WE expect from YOU people here the
broadcast streets. the most beautiful
parks and other great improvements
which are not absolutely necessary 70,
the city of Washington. but which are
necessary for the capital of the nation.
he continued.
The nation pays one-half of the bills
here now Why should ii not continue.
] believe / voice the sentiments Of every
fair man in the Senate when I speal
against any unjust and unfair treatmen,
for the District Of Columbia
Board Of Trade Active.
Following the meeting it was pointed
out by members Of the Board of Trad.
that that organization has published sew.
eral pieces of literature bearing on ths
financial relations between the Distric,
and the general government and has sen
them to members Of both Houses of Con
gress to convey Information.
- The fact that the federal govern.