Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-13
|UP To THE SENATE
TOPRO1ECT DISTRICT
Supply Bill as Passed by House
Violates Half
and Half"
Contains Few Items Of Betterment
Program Advocated by the
Commissioners.

Consideration Of the most important
attack upon the organic principles Of
the finances of the District of Columbia
will now rest with the Senate, as the
House quickly passed the District ap-
preparation bill yesterday afternoon, in
Guiding the new and startling paragraph
providing that the difference between
District revenues and the expenditures
Of the appropriation act be turned over
to the Treasury as a miscellaneous re-
ceipt."
The House also failed to maintain the
paragraph providing for $4,000 for the
pay Of militiamen at the annual encamp-
ment. to be used in the case of men in
private life who lose money from their
regular employment when engaged in
the service of the United States. This
latter item, similar to the state pay
granted by practically every state in the
Union. was stricken out after Repre-
sentative johnson of Kentucky had OBJ
jected to it on the ground that 1t Is not
authorized by law.
Under the rules of the House there
was no alternative except to admit that
Representative Johnson was technically
correct. Comment by responsible Ma
tional Guard officers is to the effect that
unless the Senate places the small but
important item back in the bill the Wan
Department will note great falling on
in the attendance of the National Guard
of the District Of Columbia at future en-
campments.
Carries Over Eleven Millions.
The bill goes to the Senate carrying
about $11, 45O, 600. The bill as reported to
che House carried $11, 473, 900, which was
larger than previous bills. but over a mil
lion dollars less than the requirements
of the District, as explained by the Com
missioners. No great changes have been
made in the bill. although attempts were
made, principally by Representative Mon
dell of Wyoming, to Place in the measure
every one of the big constructive works
recommended by the Commissioners, in
Guiding the proposed fish wharves, mu-
nicipal hospital etc.
That the House should have adopted
without one word of comment the section
which places the Districts surplus reve-
nues in the United States Treasury was
surprising to many observers OF the bill
course through the House and the ap-
preparations committee. The surplus as
fiscal year will amount to s1,4OO,OOo. 1t
means that the District not only Is de-
MED the privilege of spending Its money
on its needs as it sees fit, but that 1t
must actually lose money raised by its
own taxes.
The clerk read the paragraph. which
is a short one, in routine voice and
.n.,.~.- There was expectation of a
lively fight on the item. but not one of
the thirty-odd members present when
voice.
Stricken From the Bill.
MI. 1919, oh;oo+;o, roado fo ANYTHING
in the latter part of the bill was Repre-
sentative Johnson's point Of order against
the regular last paragraph. which reads:
THAT all laws and parts of laws to the
extent that they are inconsistent with
this act are repealed"
This sentence has a time-honored posi-
ton on practically all big acts. Repre-
sentative johnson made point Of order
against it because it Is legislation. 1t is
supposed the act will be signed with this
regulation finishing sentence, however.
Following Representative Roberts at
tempt yesterday to provide an appro-
priation of at least 81 600 for the educa-
ton Of blind children in public schools,
Chairman Cordell Hull Of the committee
on the whole ruled the Roberts amend
ment out of order on the ground that 1t
would be a change in existing law, and
therefore has no place in an appropria-
ton bill.
Representative Hinebaugh of Illinois
endeavored to change the bill so as to
provide Cor three Police Court judges at
So, 600 instead Of two at So. 600. saying that
the crowded dockets in that court require
the change, but his amendment was ruled
out of order, after Representative Page
had objected to it.
Hospital Item Killed.
Representative Mondell offered an
amendment which, If enacted, would start
work on the proposed 100000 municipal
hospital at 14th and Upshur streets. but
it was ruled out quickly. The item was
one of those suggested by the Commits
sioners in their estimates and turned
down by the subcommittee in charge Of
the bill. Representative Mondell also
made an attempt to get the proposed hos
pital TOR inebriates In the bill. and failed
because of a point of order, and the pro-
posed y-thousand-dollar municipal
lodging house met the same experience on
the floor Of the House.
During the discussion over water de-
partment appropriations Representa-
tive Madden of Illinois suggested that
IL there should be considerable sur
pluses In the water receipts at any
time the city might declare dividends
in the shape of reduced water rates to
consumers. Representative sisson re-
piled by saying that Commissioners
Harding had informed the subcommit-
tee that for $3.50 a year the average
family gets $500 gallons OF water,
and that the amount would scarcely
| be used by the ordinary family.