The Washington herald., 1914-03-20
PRESIDENTWA
TAXATION PROBE.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

Investigation should take, those close to
him believe that he fayors a commission
appointed either by himself or the Dis
trict Commissioners. He feels this way.
it is generally understood. because OF the
fact that the House District Committee
has repeatedly passed upon the very
, questions such an Investigation would be
expected to answer, and the House and
Senate both have placed themselves on
record in the last three years with re-
gard to one or more phases of the con-
troversy.
President Feels Responsibility
While the President has not felt that
developments Nso faf have demanded that
he take an active part in the shaping OF
District legislation, he is known to feel
keenly the responsibility which ultimately
Will rest upon himself, as the President
of the United States and the leader of
his party, for the welfare of the nations
Capital Because of this he is anxious
to obtain pertinent information from a
source which cannot be called into ques-
ton, in order that he may premise his
conclusions upon an absolutely safe
foundation.
The action Of the House District Com
mittee yesterday was precipitated by
Representative Winslow, Of Massachu-
sets. Mr.. Winslow is business man
success,
viewing affairs through the practical
eyes of a business man. He has ex-
pressed several times his disapproyal OF
the haphazard methods Of the District
Committee in settling piecemeal ana
without sufficient information questions
of grave moment to the District Fol-
lowing a two hours discussion In thel
committee yesterday, in which the ques-
ton of an investigation by a commits
lSio daho tad of WtnSlOw
suggested that a vote be taken to deter
mine whether the committee really IA
vored an investigation. The question as
to the form the investigation should
take was left open.
Vote Is Asked For.
ITO bring the matter to a head" sug-
gested Mr.. Winslow, after a fruitless
discussion had left the committee winded
and tangled, Il ask for a vote to test
the sentiment of the committee as toI
whether there shall be any investigation
at all"
A member of the committee desired to
know the nature of the Investigation on
which the vote was to be taken.
Il mean an investigation by a commits
sion that will include all local problems.
Let them report on suffrage, taxation,
the half f-and-half arrangement, self-gov-
eminent, and a reorganization, If neces-
sary, of the District government"
A viva voce vote was taken on the
proposition and carried, Chairman john
SON Withholding his vote and Represent
ative Coady. of Maryland, voting no
because of the broad powers outlined by
Mr.. Winslow.
The committee thereupon adjourned
without discussing the form which the
investigation should take.
There are before the committee three
~ u. - . = Il
investigation. Representative Henry A.
Cooper. of Wisconsin, has a joint resolu-
ton authorizing the President to appoint
five members Of a commission Of nine,
to investigate the fiscal relations be-
tween the District and the Federal gov
ernment and to report to Congress its
findings. conclusions, and recommended
remaining four members are to be ap-l
pointed from the House and Senate by
the Speaker and the Vice President.
Calls for Three Members.
Representative George has bill calling |
for the appointment of a commission OF |
three members BY the President to in
vestigate taxation conditions and the |
fiscal relationship and to report to the !
President. Representative Prouty has a |
resolution calling for the creation of a |
joint Congressional commission to investi- |
gate and report as to the advisability of |
restoring a form of self-gorernment to |
the District and. in the event that the I
commission considers such a step advis- !
able, to recommend the form Of a char
ter granting necessary powers.
The question almost certainly will |
come up Monday with discussion of the |
emasculated George bill Both George |
and Prouty will offer their resolutions |
as amendments to the bill. AS the bill, |
if it passes in the amended form. even
in the House, is doomed to certain de-
feat in the Senate, and is not certain of |
passage in the Senate even IL passed by
the House in its original form, the action
of the House may be taken largely as
a straw in the wind.