Evening star., 1914-12-13
The Districts Supreme Issue.

Without investigation and without
deliberation the House of Representa-
ffves has adopted in committee of the
whole an amendment to the District
appropriation bill which abrogates the
half-and-half principle of the organic
act of 1878. 1t is still possible that
the House will reverse this vote when
the committee reports the bill and
substitute for this amendment one
creating 4 joint congressional commit
tee to give to vital change in the
Districts fundamental law the thought
ful. wise and Just consideration which
Is so conspicuously lacking in the
present procedure. Until there is a
record vote sustaining the snap-judg-
nent action in committee of the whole
it is impossible to believe that this
fragrant injustice will be actually COM
mitted.
The Johnson amendment was accept
ed in committee virtually without de-
bate. There was some discussion. a
few Of the Districts friends endeavor-
ing to set forth the facts of local needs
and the truth about local taxation. but
the subject was only scratched. There
was no time for q deep consideration
of the matter. such as its Importance
deserved. Thus as far as the commit
tee of the whole could go the work of
q joint commission Of Congress. lasting
many weeks and resulting in legisla-
tion the effect of which has been, to
transform Washington from an unkempt
ill-nourished, struggling town into one
OF the most attractive Of modern cap
itals. was undone in few minutes.
81 kr~yA
l'rief consideration of The johnson
amendment deliberation upon the
momentous issue of annulling the vital
principle Of the Districts organic act.
The most absurdly unbiased statements
respecting the Districts financial sit
uation were uttered and went unehal-
Ienged. No better Illustration of the
manner in which the truth was dis
regarded in the course of the brief
discussion preceding the rising vote
Of far less than a quorum of the
House could be given than these words
from the opening statement OF the op
position to the i1alf-and-half system.
made by Representative Prouty Thurs
day:
There is no dispute about the propo--
sition that property in the city of
at two-thirds is only assessed one
third" page ia, Congressional
Record. December 10. 1914.)
This amazing declaration was ac-
companied by not word of proof It
was put forth boldly as a fact without
qualification. Yet it is inaccurate both
IN the assertion of condition and in
the assumption Of uncontested verify.
II the proposition that Washington
property is assessed at only one-third
is undisputed it is merely because it
has never before been seriously stated.
The Star has. however. repeatedly
shown by incontroveytible statistics
that Washington's tax assessments are
at two-thirds of real value nearer to
actual real value than are the sup
posed1y 100 per cent assessments in
most cities where that standard in
theory prevail. Elsew here in this
issue appears an article specifically
refuting former statements by Repre-
sentative Prouty. repeated in the
House Thursday. and showing that the
preposterous proposition quoted above
could not by any conceivable process of
figure juggling be justified.
The District must fight for it's very
life to defeat this iniquitous amend
ment It's final adoption by the House
would carry it before the Senate.
where. judging from past PERFORM
ances. IT would be rejected promptly.
But even such check would not be
final. for then the decisive contest
would come in conference, with COM
promises possible to hasten decision in
time for the adjournment The certain
way to scotch this snake is to defeat
the amendment when the bill Is report
ed to the full House. perhaps during
the ensuing week To this end the
energies Of the District must be bent
to the utmost during the next few
days.