Evening star., 1914-04-09

which Will De DaSed upon the needs OF
the city as the National Capital and as
an integral whole. not separable into
national and local features. and which
will assure continued progress under a
definite and permanent arrangement
To Be Given Consideration.
Mr.. Macfarland added:
Il have carefully read Commissioner
Newmans interesting contribution to the
subject. The respectful consideration
due to its character and to the man and
to his office, will be given it. No doubt
the other members OF the executive com
mittee will personally give It like conside
GRAFTON. But it does not affect the duty
placed upon the executive committee by
the committee of one hundred That
duty the executive committee will con-
tinue to perform. 1t will continue to be
done without personalities. without per-
sonal criticism, without acrimony and on
the highest plane possible.
Our duty is to lay the facts of the
nations relation to it's capital before Con
gress and before the country. in order to
avert threatened legislation hostile to the
progress of the capital. The committee
of one hundred was brought into being
by the actual danger that such legislation
now been halted. The committee of one
hundred, through its members and
through other District residents. has
brought the facts to the attention of
senators and representatives who had not
studied them before. We have exercised
our right of petition when we could do
nothing less in view of the peril
Through national organizations and
personal letters the committee is bring
ing the facts to the attention of our
fe1low-countrymen whose interest in
the capital is as great as our own and
who do not begrudge their financial
contribution to it.
1T is apparent that the proposed leg
islation already introduced in Congress
was the work of d few men and that
the majority of the senators and repre-
sentatives are not in sympathy with It,
The four measures that were sent by
the House to the Senate. which if enact
ed would upset the 'half-and-half' ar
rangement were passed in the House
when less than seventy-five out of the
435 members were present in any in
stance.
Thinks Half None Too Much.
The United States government should.
in my opinion. contribute literally to the
expenses of the city of Washington
said DR.. Harvey W Wiley, chairman of
the committee Of one hundred, in discuss
ing the Commissioners speech this morn
ing. Ito the extent of not less than one
half thereof. Any better plan than the
present one of securing that collabora-
ton / would approve. The present
method is definite and understa nda BILE.
The proposal of Mr.. Newman is indefinite
and difficult of application. I therefore
prefer the present method
George w. Truesdell, chairman of the
municipal finance committee of the Board
of Trade, said:
las a remedy for the evils pointed out
byr{ 'fyS,y i.Sir Nauy l,is,
put in operation, would prove futile. 1t
is to be regretted. moreover. that in this
serious crisis in District affairs. when
the people with great unanimity are rail-
lying in defense OF the half-and-half plan
| and are asking the cooperation of the
whole country. the president of the
board of Commissioners should lend his
influence in aid of those who are trying
to destroy it.
THE single tax as a substitute for the
halfand-half plan would be a disastrous
exchange for the District. To abandon
a naturally strong position. fortified by
thirty-six years of highly satisfactory ex-
perience for the weak and indefensible
one suggested by Mr.. Newman. would be.
in my opinion, an act of supreme folly
Best Plan Yet Proposed.
Il can only say that I think the half
and-half rplan should be stanchly ad-
hered to. 1t is the best solution of the
problem we have had up to the present
time said James +. Oyster. former pres
| ident of the Chamber of Commerce LAS
perhaps 1 have made it plain in the past,
| strongly favor the representation of
, the District in Congress, not only by a
delegate. but ultimately by proper
quota of senators and representatives..
| That to me. would be the best solution
| of the problem. but aside from that and
| things being as they are. | certainly
! would not be in favor of any interference
| with the halfand-ha principle under
| which we now do business.
"Half is little enough for the federal
government to pay. During the discus
sion that preceded the adoption of the
organic act higher and. to my mind,
more equitable proportions We're pro
posed, such as so and even IS per cent
and bearing one-half of the expenses
| of the District was decided upon AS the
verx least that Congress could do for
the National Capital. do not think
MIR Newman realizes thoroughly that
| in the beginning every other square OF
| Continued ON Second Page.)