Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-27

bill very similar in principle to that
offered yesterday by Senator Works.
said Mr.. Worthington. referring to the
Morrill, committee report. 1T provided
taxed, the taxes paid into the federal
treasury, and then the government
should pay all the expenses of the
District"
After discussion of that bill Mr..
Worthington read from the brief of
the joint citizens committee in support
of the fact that, for the protection
from improper charges on both sides
of the partnership. fixed rate of con-
tribution to the Districts support is
better than a nameless plan of hap
hazard appropriation. He said there are
recorded instances in the congressional
debates where legislators of both
houses had Endorsed this view. He
read from debates where it had been
said that unless fixed rate Of con-
tribution was established, appropria-
ton committees would be induced to
make improper allowances.
Referring again to the matter Of 3.65
bonds. Mr.. Worthington said that the
States government knew 1t was assum-
ing the obligation incurred by that
debt. reading from the history Of the
case and citing instances Of appropria-
ton bills where amounts were speci-
fed for the payment of the interest.
Referred to in Senate Speeches.
That the bond matter was fully I'M
derstood in that way in the early sew
enties was apparent from the copious
extracts from Senate speeches read to
the joint select committee by Mr..
Worthington. who quoted Senator'S
Sherman. Thurman. Allison. Bayard
and others. who spoke directly to the
plants that the United States was
bound to pay these bonds. Senator
Sargent of California was one of those
quoted as having spoken of the matter
In debate in January. 1876. and at
that time he made a reference to the
expenses of the District being paid on
the half-and- half plan in prophetic
manner:
Where did he get the idea Of half
and-half contribution two years before
the organic act was passed." asked
Representative Cooper.
Mr. Worthington said the senator was
undoubtedly referring to the report of
a congressional committee which had
recommended such division even at
that early date. He then went on to
say that in March. 1876. just after the
debates quoted. Congress passed reso-
luton requiring the Commissioners OF
the District to pay interest on the $50
bonds, which was one of the only two
cent House report demanding that the
District should pay back the money ad-
vanced by the United States earlier
than that date.
mittee of Congress under the lead of
Hunton of Virginia,
which recommended 40 per cent con-
tribution from the United States for
District expenses.
Mention had been made" said Mr..
Gin the House last win
ter that local lobby was formed at
that time to keep that report back: that
the people here were dissatisfied and
wanted a larger proportion to be paid
by the United States. We cannot find
any authority for that statement" He
went on to say that the suggestion for
a half-and-haif contribution came from
of Congress.
Finally Settled in 1878.
The act of 1873. called the organic
act Of the District. he said, finally set
tied the question as to what proportion
the federal government should pay Of
the expenses Of the District and Of the
funded debt.
I'm the early 90's." said Mr.. Worth
ington. there was criticism in Congress
that the half-and-half plan provided
in the organic act was unjust to the
federal government. The matter was
referred to the House District commit
tee, of which Mr.. Babcock was chair
man. That committee Investigated and
reported to the House that the half
and -half plan was just and should be
retained"
Mr. worthington told the committee
that from that time until a few years
that in the last few sessions Of Con-
gress the discussion had become SO ac-
rimonious the appointment of the
present joint select committee had re-
suited. to investigate and decide the
questions involved.
He told how a subcommittee of the
House District committee. headed by
Representative johnson. had investi-
gated the matter of the payment of
the interest on the 1858 bonds and had
reported to the House that the District
was indebted to the federal government
to the extent of $1.003. 900 because of
payments made by the federal govern
ment to meet interest charges on these
bonds on the half-and-half plan. He
read from the report of the committee
giving the reasons OF the committee for
its conclusions. and said that the COM
mittee had failed absolutely to mention
the acts of Congress to which he had
referred. showing that 1t was the in
tention of Congress from the creation
Of this 3.65 bond issue that the govern
ment should pay it's proportionate share
of the principal and interest of these
bonds.