The Washington times., 1915-11-06

Disagreeing with his colleagues on
the Board of Commissioners-who rec
ommend the abolishment OF the half
and-hau principle-Msjor Charles w.
Kutz, Engineer Commissioner. contend
ed before the fiscal inquiry committee
today that the Federal Government
should continue to contribute a hxed
proportion Of District OF Columbia ex-
penscs.
Major lSutz said nc was convinced.
however. that the Federal Government
Is bearing an undue proportion OF the
burden because community interests
here are growing more rapidly than
Federal interests. The proportion OF
contribution, he said. should be In ac-
cordance to the interests ol both parties
to the fiscal contract.
a comprehensive survey and appraisal
OF existing conditions, Major Kutz
said. must be had to determine the
exact proportion the Federal Govern
ment shall continue to contribute. but
he recommended iixed.contribution
principe as preferable to that suggest.
ed ey Commissioner Brownlow ana
Newman who. would turn all District
revenues into the Federal Treasury and
have the Government assume full IL
nancial responsibility.
Commissioner kutzs statement be-
fore the committee was as follows:
Two Matters Connected.
The question as to the proper pro-
portion Of the expenses Of the District
Of Columbia to be borne by the Dis
trict and the United States. rcspec-
lively. 10 intimately connected with the
relation which these two governmental
agencies bear to each other. II the
government of the District OF Columbia
is to be turned over to the residents
Of the District. as has been advocated
before this committee. the United
States should not bear as large part
OF the expense as II the other extreme
plan were Adopted and the District
made bureau OF the Federal Govern
ment In other words. representation.
whether 1t be full representation or only
partial. has money value which.
though not capable OF precise ascertain
ment. should he considered in proper
tiuning the expenses. .
In the form OF government now au-
thorized. the residents have no repre-
sentation In the legislative branch. but
II Is prescribed by law that two or the
members OF the BOARD OF Commissioned =
shall be selected from among the actual
residents OF the District. while the third
shall be Federal officer detailed for
membership on the board. This Affords
the residents partial representation. and
entities the existing system 10 be de-
srribed ~ a compromise between the
plan involving local self-Sovernment
and the plan to federaiize the District.
Primarily the Capital.
Washington Is primarily the capital
city Of the nation and the responsibility
for its physical growth and develop
ment should unauestionably rest with
Congress. rather than with the people
OF the District. II Is the mecca for
visitors from every State In the Union.
and these visitors take a personal pride
In having the streets well paved. well
shaded and well lighted In finding an
abundant supply OF pure water. a model
sewerage system and beautiful parks.
They take very little interest. however.
In plans or projects for the moral. so
ciai or educational development of the
community. These questions are local
questions and in legislation upon such
matters the wishes OF the residents OF
the District should largely govern. and