Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-31
A. S. Trundle Asks to Be Heard.

tax on land.
A. S. Trundle. who had informed the
committee that he desired to be hearo'
was called to the stand. He explained
to the committee he unfortunately dld
not have his reference books and notes
with him; that he had sent home Tor
them, but they had been taken to the
House office building by mistake, anu
then been taken back to his home. He
asked that he be given an opportunity
to be heard when the committee meets
on Wednesday.
What phase Of the question 90 you
wish to discuss" asked Senator W orks.
There has been a great deal SAID
here about raising taxes, SAID MT.
in which the taxes should be spent
who should spend them
James Kent Discusses Taxes.
James Kent, who described himself
as former school teacher and at
present an architect and builder, next
took the witness stand. He said ne
had lived in Washington thirty-one
years.
Il believe that the people Of the Dis
trict have as much intelligence as the
people of any other section OF the
country" said Mr.. Kent Il believe
they should have the franchise. but
would be opposed to making the vote
compulsory, as suggested by one of
the former speakers here.
II would like to votes not only Tor
the District Commissioners. If we are TO
continue to have Commissioners. but also
WELL" said Representative Cooper,
that at least is one matter with which
this committee has nothing to do
Senator Works said that a sugges-
ton had been made that the postmas-
ter of one of the cities in his state;
been suggested also that the necessary
qualification for voting in the election
was that the voter be democrat
Mr.. Kent got around to the referendum
of the western states, saying that IL
had proved a great benefit.
Il suppose you are qualified to speak
for the west" asked Senator Works;
have you ever been west!
.'Oh, no. answered Mr.. Kent. but 1
have read some of the western news
papers.
suppose" suggested Representative
Gard.
"Oh, yes" was the reply, Il have
often been that far west"
Senator Works Bans Politics.
Mr.. Kent mentioned politics, and Sen
ator Works cut in with an expressed
hope that the committee was not going
to take up the subject of politics in its
hearing 1t was evident that the com
mitteemen felt they have given a free
rein to the discussion, but that in the
future they intended to try to have it
limited to the questions relating to the
District of Columbia before it for con-
sderation.
Il hope you gentlemen will give us
the ballot continued Mr.. Kent. LAS
to how the District government should
be separated from the national gov
eminent, ! will leave that to you," he
said with wave of his hand.
Perhaps there should be an educa-
tional qualification" said Mr.. Kent. II
think ] have heard d number of promi-
nent statesmen advocate such a quail
fication-though / don't believe l ever
heard any of you gentlemen"
There was loud laughter in the com
mittee room and Representative
Cooper said:
Il think that last statement ought to
be considered contempt of court"
When Mr.. Kent concluded his re-
marks, Senator salisbury, the acting
chairman, asked if there were other
witnesses present to be heard. There
was none and the committee adjourn
ed until Wednesday at 10 o'clock.