Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-05-25
HOUSE is ADVERSE
TO HALF-AND-HALF.
Votes Down Attempt to Re-
store Principle to the
District Bill.
MANN LEADS MINORITY
IN DEFENSE OF CAPITAL
Effort Is Made to Have Barley Pro.
hibition Bill Attached
as a Rider.

The House of Representatives
today refused to change the first
section of the District bill which
contains the wording designed
to do away with the half-and-half
principle of appropriation. Rep
resesentative Tinkham of Massa-
chusetts offered an amendment to
strike this entire section from the
bill, and had this carried it would
have been followed by a motion
to insert in the bill a section ap-
propriating for the needs of the
District on the half-and-half plan.
After seventy minutes of debate
the House, sitting in committee
of the whole, rejected the Tink-
ham motion by a viva voce vote.
Republicans Champion D. c.
The debate, however, brought forth
from republican leaders an expression
Of policy toward the District of Column
bia of the most generous nature. Rep
resentative Mann in particular gave ut
terance to the expression that the ap-
propriations for the District OF Column
bia be such as to provide an extensive
park system and great extension of
public works
Representative Webb of North Caro-
lima introduced today resolution ask
ing the rules committee to bring in a
rule allowing the House to tack the
Barley prohibition bill on the Dis
trict appropriation bill. The Barley
bill is now before the District of Co
lumbia committee. and provides for
drastic prohibition in the District of
Columbia.
The debate on the half-and-half fea-
ture of the bill was taken up as soon as
the House reached the District bill to-
day. an agreement having been reached
on last Tuesday to revert to that sec
ton today.
Mann for Half-and-Half.
Congress has the right and power at
any time to change the fiscal relations
the District Of Columbia" said Minor
ity Leader Mann. but am opposed to
the repeal of the 2half-and-haif prin-
ciple.
Il believe it Is wiser for US to say
that because this is the capital of the
country, and because the government
owns many buildings and large areas
of land here, and in order that this
country may continue to be proud of its
capital. we will pay one-half of its
expenses out Of the general fund of the
Treasury"
Representative Mann quoted state
ments made DUNG the debate that
many cities. being about 81 per $1,000
on actual value. and 81 In some other
localities.
II that is the case" continued Mr..
they are as an example to other cities
of what may be accomplished be-
lieve we have here q city that in as
well taken care OF as any: that has
streets as good as may be found any
where; that has as good q government
as can be found anywhere. and We
should continue to let this city be n
example to others.
More and Better Parks.
Il would take the extra money not
now appropriated and buy new parka
l would develop the parking system
that we already have and would afford
facilities where the people may come
and enjoy themselves. In Chicago.
where I live. we would be ashamed II
we did not afford more park places
than you have here.
We should continue the improve
ment along the Anacostia river; we
should build a great park east OF the
railroad tracks here; we should make
additions to Rock Creek Park and to
Geological Park. There arc many, many
things for which we can expend money
for years to come. The half-and- half
Definite Basis Lacking.
Representative Small Of North Caro-
lima. a colleague of Representative
Page. who is in charge Of the District
bill, came to the front in defense of the
half-and-half plan and opposed the
method of eradication proposed in the
present bill
Il am opposed to imposing an in
definite form of taxation on this city;
l would not mako any such pro-
pOSdi IOF my own eIdte, SAID MI.
Small. This paragraph does not
amend the rate of taxation or change
the machinery of taxation, but, COM
ing to the point which constitutes the
viciousness of the plan, it is indefi-
| mite in that II submits to each sue
| ceeding Congress tho question of the
rate of taxation and the machinery by
which taxes shall be collected. 1t does
not settle the question on any DEFINITE
| basis.
II do not think Congress gives that de-
| liberation and consideration to District
| legislation that 1t gives to other matters
| concerning the country as a whole. I'm
der an indefinite proposal OF this char
acter the single taxer and others viii be
| free to experiment in later years on thu
District OF Columbia.
! This is great municipality and n
should be treated as a great city. We
encourage business and Investment here
We should not submit these people who
have made investments to the danger OF
tax changes at every Congress-
| Representative Gard asked him yhs
he believed would be a fair and dednits
proportion Of contribution by the
| United States.
| The gentleman was on the fiscal in
vestigation committee" replied Repre-
sentative Small. and II the COMMITTEES