The Washington times., 1915-02-28
"0pen. Minded Members Of
Congress Will Be Named
Vice President and Speaker
JOHNSON RIDER DROPS DEAD
Underwood Amendment Calls for
Impartial Investigation Dur.
ing Next Year of Ha|t.and.
sHaIf Pain.

After years Of agitation concerning
the half .and- half principle as it re.
hates to the fiscal relations of the
Federal ard District governments,
there is to he an Impartial investisa-
ton Of these relations to determine
how much money should come from
the. Treasur! Of the United States in
support of the National Capital.
When the House yesterday adopted,
as told exclusively in the $50 edition
of The Times, the Underwood amend
mcnt to the District bill as it came
from conference. the enemies or the
half-and. plan met = temporary
defeat ard the way was made for an
investigation Of the entire contro-
versy by a Joint committee of the
Senate and House.
With the adoption Of the Underwood
amendment. in lieu Of the Johrso OH
rider aorosatinx the existing arrange
n1ent (Which rider the Senate had re-
iectedl. the last obstacle was removed
In the passage Of the District budget.
Congressman Page in charge of the
bill in the House, said the Senate
would promptly agree 10 the substi-
tute proposal, and II would be un-
necessary for the House AGAIN ty
consider the District BIZ.
Awaits Presidents Signature.
Following the concurrence of the
me signing OF the bill by the PrcSi-
dent, the Investigation will be launch =
ID with the appointment by the Vice
President Of three Senators and the
appointment b. the Speaker of three
consTeseDen - constitute the joint
inquiry committee.
This committee probably will con
SCct exhaustive hearings in Washing
ton during the summer. as the Under
wood amendment requires report to
C2nSress BY January, l. 1915.
mined upon the membership, OF the in
vesttsattns cocnmittee.~ During the de
bate in the House yesterday, Congress-
man Fitzgerald suggested that Con-
sressman Proutty of Iowa ought to be
on the inquiry board. Mr.. Prouty goes
out OF Congress, however. on March 1
.nd VIII not thereafter be "a member
OF tne I1ohse as stipulated IN the IN
derwood proposal.
It probably will be the desire Of Vice
President Marsnnll and Speaker Clark
to appoint members who arc not de-
rided opponents "r proponents Of the
halt a nd-half prlrciple. In other words.
It is presumed trat members With AN
1p.n mind will be en- th3 lnve stisatIrg
hoard and other members Who have de-
7.ded views may assist hv press ntns :
tneir ccnterticre 70 tie 'nrecti-a tors.
ronEreE sn,an I'uter"ood, who sJcn re
tires a majority Leader Of the House
to go to the senate, fret went on rec
ord III favor Of such an Investigating
ro1rTl tee "a. /. now pro- l1ed more
tran = "ear ago.
Proposed Inquiry.
IT. A Christmas Day interview gwen
to The Times IN 1915. the majority lead
Ger first expressed the view that there
shol!d b i thorough and impartial ir-
qUirT .nto the .lSC4l relations Of toe
District E1l Icrleru. Governments.
He 4s:terred a that time to the ap-
rarcntiy n"v"r-cndinE controversy on
this susje.. ana admitted his own in
atilitr to det lrTlilc from off hand in
fornsa II ou whether the existing arrange
neat Is equitable to all concerned.
When tie Senate and House con-
ference became deadlocked over the
johnson r.der-Wni'h provided that no
nnul al District revenues we're eH-
hsusteI-Mr Unoer"ood found his op-
porGnitv 20 pGt tnrol4z N III. inNe$tisa-
ton ,dea which had rested III his in,rd
for more -han = year ano there Will Al
last he an inquiry ,nro the Justice ot
sage OF rhe existing organic act i'll 1873.