The Washington herald., 1914-03-25
INQUIRY ASKED
FOR DISTRICT
Pomerene Wants Commission
to Probe All Questions Of
Federal Aid.
EARLY ACTION SOUGHT
Senator Also Would Have Appointees
Pass on Advisability of Local
Self-government.
EARLY ACTION SOUGHT

Calling for a commission OF twelv,
members, not only to pass on the ad-
disability OF local self-sovernment for
the District, but also TO make an ex
aaustive investigation of all questions
Involved in the present controversy over
Federal aid to the District government.
a joint resolution was introduced yester-
Say by Senator Pomerene, Democrat Of
the District Committee.
The proposed commission is to comprise
three members each from :he House and
Senate. three bona fide residents of the
District, conversaHt with local anairs,
20 be appointed by the President, and the
District Commissioners.
Senator Pomerene said yesterday that
as would press for early consideration OF
bis resolution ny mis- committee. The
proposal combines The central features of
the Prouty resolution, which directs a
ioint Congressional commission to pass
1puH ths adyisabIlity of local seif-govern-
l1ent. a1G he Cooper and George resolu-
sscus wsirn cal! for an Investigation d.
-set-i sFIsreiy at the equitability OF the
Prescott fiscal relations. The Pomerene
.as1lstian.i is as follows:
Powers of Commission.
That there Is hereby created a COM
mission 20 be known as the District of
Columbia commission, to be composed
1f twelve members, three members of
the Senate. to be appointed by the Vice
President. three members of the House
of Representatives, to be appointed by
the Speaker, three actual bona fide resi-
dents Ct the District of Columbia. who
are conversant with the affairs of the
District of Columbia, TO be appointed by
.he President, and the three Commission
FRS of the District: that said commission
is hereby empowered and directed to
make a thorough examination Of the
relations at present existing between the
Federal government and the District of
Columbia; that the commission is di-
-ected to ascertain and report to Con-
gres whether local self-government
might not now be granted to said Dis
.rict Of Columbia, and that if said COM
mission shall ascertain that said local
self-government could now be granted to
he District of Columbia, said commission
prepare and report to Congress bill
,reatinE said local selr-government.
The CON .s-,ns ='7n make a care
asT i1r-e5t.Est!oD TO a-~- -tain what Fed
sgal aid Shoasd nc zen to the District
y 9 Eiumbia ~ Nay 0f contribution from
rag T-fTrs' Treasury Eo- the support of
De local sTsiFs af ths said District of
.'H.ElFsLa E7r s.T ais ion shall have
.he power AMI .---------- to employ a
secretary. clerical help. and such ac-
sOuntants and experts on municipal af-
iairs as it shall deem proper and neces- |
sRry for a thorough, comprehensive re-
port. The commission shall fix the COM
pensation to be paid to these persons. |
and if the said commission shall sit dur |
ing recess of Congress the members OF
the commission shall be entitled to |
mileage and hotel expenses made neces- |
sary by attendance on these meetings, |
the same to be paid out on a voucher |
signed by the chairman of the commits |
sion. |
Provides Public Hearings.
The commission shall give public hear |
inss in the District Of Columbia, or at |
such other places as a majority of said |
may determine. The COM |
mission is especially to ascertain and |
report to Congress the fair average rate |
nj taxes collected in other cities of like |
size TO that of Washington upon the ac-
tual cash value Of its property and re-
port TO this House what would be a fair |
and reasonable rate to be assessed |
against the property of the District of !
at its actual cash value. |
The commission shall ascertain and |
report what kinds and classes Of prop |
erty are assessed in other cities and |
what kinds and classes of property |
should be assessed in the District of
Columbia. and at what rate. in ,rder |
that the property in the District of CO. |
lumbia might bear a fair burden of |
taxation as compared with property sit |
uated elsewhere; that said commission |
shall make full and complete report of
its findings of fact and its conclusions |
and recommendations for legislative ac- |
tion to Congress not later than the first |
Monday in December. 1914: that said |
is hereby empowered to sum-
mon and examine witnesses, administer |
oaths. compel testimony. and require the |
production of books and papers for the |
purpose of making said investigation and
THE life of me commission shall termi- |
nate on the filing of the report. unless |
Congress shall otherwise direct. For the !
purpose OF defraying the expenses of |
said commission n the making of said /
and preparing said report.
there is hereby appropriated. out of the /
funds not otherwise appropriated the sum
Of $1,000"