The Washington herald., 1915-01-12
DEATH DOOM OF
Smith MEASURE
Amendment Antagonistic to
Organic Act to Fail, Is
Forecast.
SENATOR WANTS REVIEW
Resurvey of Fiscal Relations Between
District and Federal Govern
ment His Aim.

By virtue OF a unanimous consent
agreement reached yesterday, debates
on the johnson rider to the District
bill will end at ? o'clock this afternoon,
and voting will commence on the HOke
Smith amendment restoring to the SEN
ate version of the bill the House rider
abrogating the half-and-half plan.
Probability is that the Smith amend
ment will be defeated by a safe margin
and the Senate Committee amendment
restoring the half-and-half provision
reinserted in the bill The margin in
favor of the District will be largely
due to the insertion of an amendment
which Senator GaIlinger will offer. call
ing for a resurvey OF fiscal relations
between the District and the United
States government. This action by the
Senate was fOrecasted by The Herald
Friday morning.
Senator Gallinger. who for years has
been the foremost defender of the Dis
trict i'm Congress, yesterday announced
that he would offer such an amendment.
Passage Is Expected.
AS this is believed to involve the only
controversial part Of the District bill the
expectation is that the measure will be
passed by the Senate before adjourn
ment this afternoon.
The Gallinger resolution provides for
select committee of the two houses to
study not only the question OF the proper
proportion of the expenses of the GOV
eminent Of the District as between the
Federal government and the District, but
the tax laws, classes and kinds of prop
eTty taNible thereInder. rates of taxation,
etc. and report its findings and recon-
mendations TO Congress at the beginning
of the next session. This resolution, it is
believed. will be the solution of the
problem accepted by the majority OF the
Senate
Senator Gore wishes to enlarge both the
commission and its duties. In addition
to the members of the Senate and House
he would have three to be appointed by
the President. In addition to its in
vestigatiOn Of system of scientific and
equitable taxation for the District of
Columbia. based upon principles of reci-
proCal justice as between the people Of
the District and the general government. |
Mr.. Gore also provides for an iuveStiga-
tOn of the public utilities of the District !
and report upon the cost and the ad- |
Visibility Of the public ownership of such |
utilities.
Senator James gave notice of an amend
ment becoming operative July !, 1916, .
under which the District would provide
Go per cent Of the revenue and the Fed
cral government - per cent.
Considers Anti-Iiquor Move.
Senator GaHinger's resolution provides
that a joint select committee shall be
appointed consisting Of three Senators.
to be named by the presiding officer OF
the Senate. and three members Of the
House to be named ny the Speaker of
the House. whose duty it shall be to
prepare and submit to Congress "A state
ment Of the proper proportion or the eX-
penses OF the government of thr District
OF Columbia or any branch thereof. in
Guiding interest ON the funded debt
which shall be borne by the District and
by the United States. respectively. to-
gcther with the reasons upon which their
may he based. and that said
be further authorized and
directed to investigate the tax laws
applicable To the District Of Column
bia together with all questions relating to
tho classes and kinds Of property taxable
hereunder. as well as all questions relat-
ing to the basis and rates OF taxation of
such property. with a view to any ueCes-
sary change in or revision OF said laws
and that said committee shall make re-
port OF its findings and recommendations
10 Congress at the beCinning Of the next
regular session. In the discharge Of the |
luty hereby imposed the said committee
: authorized to employ such assistance |
as it deems advisable. at an expense not
10 exceed 5000 and the said sum. or so ,
much thereof as may be necessary, be |
nd the same is hereby appropriated for
hat purpose.
Senator Morris Sheppard. Of Texas. Is '
considering offering a prohibit amend :
nent. He has not fully determined to do