The Washington times., 1915-11-15
:MAcE:ARLAND ARGUES
!. FOR HALF-AND[.HALF
Former Commissioner Tells
Committee Present Fiscal
Plan Should Be Retained.
Continued from First Page.)

Continued from First Page.)
number of improvements are needed In
Washington Congressman Cooper asked
II Il were not true that the erection Of
skyscrapers In New York had made
necessary larger sewers at n heavy ex-
pense. and whether the erection Of high
bAiildings In Washington might not
have the same result.
II have no doubt of It," replied Mr..
Mcfarland. "and I feel sure that the
District Commissioners will recommend
to Congress the enlargement Of some
sewers already needed here on account
OF large office buildings"
-. Attacks Committee.
James Hugh Keeley assailed the citi-
zens'. committee as not being represen-
tative Of the feeling In Washington re-
gardine the half -and-half plan.
Il think the citizens committee as
sumes too much when II claims to
speak for the citizens of this city. and
calls itself the friend of the District.
he said.
''The citizens committee represents a
large end influential portion of resi-
represent one-half the entire population
Mr.. .rleeley, then turned to persons
who said they represented citizens as
HDClaIlOnS ana SH1u even IL tudt WStO
true their contentious should not count
for much. because the aggregate MEM
bership Of these associations was only
a few thousand out OF the $4,000 OF the
District.
"He pointed to a recent action OF the
Connecticut Avenue Citizens Associa-
titon in instructing its delegate to the
Federation OF Citizens Associations not
to vote on the question OF prohibition
for the District because the Connecticut
hNdS, had pnlv about 1g5 mRO1-
bers In a territory where there were
thousands Of inhabitants.
sd Senator Works Objects.
Senator Works took exception to the
statement by MIR. Macfarland that
large majority Of the citizens Of the Dis
trict favored the retention Of the half
and-haR plan. Senator Works said the
hearing had been one-sided In that a
majority Of the witnesses had favored
tho half-and-ha plan. but he was con-
WINGED that many of the citizens op-
posed II.
IL large number OF District resi-
dents hold such views. in view Of the
great generosity the committee has
evidenced during the hearing. why did
they not appear and state their opposi-
tion to the ha.t-and-half plan? Mr..
Mcfarland asked. THE people OF the
express their views.'
"a know that some OF the business
men Of the District have not had the
cousrge to oppose their views to those
resent" replied Senator Works. The
committee requested a number Of citi-
zenE Of the District, but many of those
we invited did not come"
II. am quite sure that none Of the
gentlemen included In the list invited By
this committee to appear failed to do
80 because Of lack Of courage to ex-
press their honest convictions. replied
Mr.: Mcfarland.
way didn't them come then'" asked
Il do not know" said Mr.. Macfarland.
but do know that OF those who came
here q considerable majority did speak
in behalf Of the half-and-half plan."
Bfames George Report.
Mr.. Macfarland said that the George
report was directly responsible for the
agitation In Congress against the half
and-half plan. and>he said the citizens
committee believed 1t had shown that
the entire George report was based up
on erroneous material.
After Mr.. Macfarland had attempted
to show that the half-and half plan was
not, . Legislative fiction" Senator
Works said:
well. Mr.. Macfarland. It must be
conceded that there has been a vari-
ance from that plan"
But We have tried to show" replied
Mr.. Mcfarland. that Congress has al
ways had the plan In mind. and that
even the departures prove the plan was
adhered to In the main."
well. I don't regard the argument
that the plan has been a legislative fic-
ton a. having much force" said sena-
tor Works. II suppose we are all will
ing to admit that In this ton,
we must regard 1t as the present
statutory fiscal plan of the District.
1t would be strange thing for Com
Hress to treat Its own legislation as fic-
ton 49, '''
You contend that appropriations are
made for specific purposes interrupted
Mcfarland. "In State constitutions
there Is provision that such appro.
priations must be used for the purpose
appropriated and for no other purpose,
put is there anything corresponding to
tnaI IN the District fiscal Adjustment"
Yes.' said Mr.. Macfarland. 'aThe
COMPTROLLER must hold the money SUBJ
tion." "Pp''pfis
Then the administrative officer can
S'.. uoo tne money Tor the purpose n
proprtated." replied Congressman Coon
er. but Congress can use II for anv
PURPOSE -'' any
Admits Contention.
Mr. Mcfarland said this was so.
You don't claim any power of con-
nnuance for the haif-and- half plan. do
you! asked Senator Chiffon. I'VE
could recommend that the ,half-and-balf
plan be sustained but the next Con-
sress which came along could set 1t
aside"
Mr.. Macfarland read some decisions of
tho United States Supreme Court show
ing that the court regarded the plan as
. constitution of Washington. termed II
the organic act. and considered it per.
manent.
THE fact that this plan has been car
ried out for some years may prove ID
to have been successful In the past
said Senator Works. but that fact
points to no obligation upon Congress
for its continuance
Mr.. Macfarland said that he knew
the act could have been end may be
repealed at any time. but that the citi.
zens of Washington have been taught
to regard II permanent form of gov
ernment and had moved here and
bought property here under the assump-