The Washington herald., 1914-12-16
CITIZENS BODY
OPPOSES Rider
.Petworth Men Are to Work
Against Measure When 1t
Reaches Senate.
MAY DELAY SUFFRAGE
Chart at District Building Shows Local
Tax Rates Higher Than in Many
American Cities.
MAY DELAY SUFFRAGE

Take all possible steps to defeat the
Ben johnson rider to the District appro-
priation bill when 1t reaches the Sem
4 ate"
This was the instruction given last
night by Petworth Citizens Association
to its committee on laws and legisla-
ton. The association approved the ac-
ton of its executive committee in ap-
pointing Charles ]. James and Z. NJ.
Oyster delegates to the public meeting
tonight Of the citizens committe OF forty
at the Public Library in behalf Of the
District self-government movement
Mr.. James is president Of the associa-
ton and Mr.. Oyster Is chairman of the
committee on laws and legislation. They
have the backing OF practically the en-
| tire body in opposing the johnson rider
and fighting for representation in Con-
| gress.
| r. E. Odin, representing the Firemen's s
Association, made an address and then
the association indOrsed the effort being
made to have Congress appropriate a
sufficient fund to pay for pensions to
hremen and policemen.
May Delay Suffrage.
! Whether the action OF the House OF
/ Representatives in passing the Dis
son amendment will delay the presenta-
ton to Congress OF a resolution call
! ing for suffrage for the District by the
Chamber of Commerce will be deter
mined at a meeting of the Chambers
suffrage committee the latter part OF
this week.
H. Albert Schulteis. chairman: "It is a
committee. said yesterday: Tt is a
question If this is an opportune time
TO present our joint resolution, because
of the inimical attitude of the House
in adopting the Johnson rider. We are
certain of the Senate's friendship for
the District, but, OF course, the resolu-
tIon would have to go through the
House should it be passed by the upper
body"
The committee also will select a per-
son to champion their resolution in
the two Houses. Previous investiga-
tions have shown there will be. no
dearth of Congressman to act in this
capacity.
Chart shows Taxation.
tive Prouty, made on the floor OF the
House. that property in the District Is
assessed lower than in general in other
cities. a chart has been prepared at the
District building showing that Washing
ton pays its proper share of taxation.
It gives financial statistics OF cities
having a population of $1,000, and shows
that the only cities that approach New
York, where the law provides full value
assessments, are Washington, Pittsburgh,
Los Angeles, Houston ami New Rochelle,
N. Y, where special efforts have been
made to bring the assessments up to the
proper amounts. Many Of the other
cities, out of a list of thirty-two, are
far below, according to the chart. in
cluding Baltimore, New Orleans, Jersey
City and Des Moines, Iowa.
Want SeIf-gOyernment.
What we claim as vital to the inter-
ests of the District is the right OF local
self lf-government-the right to manage
our municipal affairs-and we are I'M
willing to wait, and are even suspicious
of the proposal that We must wait for
constitutional amendment giving the
District representation in the national
Congress"
The above statement was issued yes
terday by the citizens committee of
forty, which will hold a public meet
ing at the Public Library tonight in
behalf of District selfgovernment Ad-
dresses will be made by Senator Owen,
Representative Crosser and DR.. Wiley.
Invited guests will include members of
the Senate and House District commit
tees, the District Commissioners, former
Governor Folk, of Missouri, Miss Mar
garet Wilson. daughter Of the Presi-
dent, and judges OF the District Su-
preme Court.