The Washington times., 1916-01-07

half principle, although the fact that
the findings of the investigators are
signed by all OF them may influence the
Senate quickly to accept the report.
II is claimed by opponents of the
half-and-half I'm the House that the
Chiffon committees report merely pre-
sents In different dressing the plan
twice adopted by the House in its con-
sideration of the District of Columbia
appropriation bill. Congressman Rob-
ert Page of North Carolina, chairman
Of the subcommittee In charge OF the
District budget. said the Chiffon COM
mittee had come around to the old plan
suggested by his subcommittee in 1914
10, respectively. as the District butGets
left the House.
Section s proposed that all excess
District revenues should be turned
into the Treasury funds as Federal
Government receipts. The House,
with a membership antae onistic to
the half-and half, adopted the sug-
eestion with whoop, but tho SEN
ate rcbelled.
An attcmpt was made last wear to
bring about the same thing when the
House committee included a provision
for turning District revenues into tne
Treasury and providing that the con-
tribution OF the Federal Government
should never exceed the District taxes
collected. Under such an arrange
ment the District would have con-
tributed about $S.oo0,0"o annually to
itE upknep AMI the Federal Govern
ment proba blv would have "chipped
in" about s., ,OO", 600 to S6,Op0,000
Satisfied With Report.
Discussing the joint committees action
today. Congressman Page said:
I'VE hope to frame the District budget
in accordance with the recommended
tions Of the committee. I regard their
lo ac nd m an iafi
the report. The next step Is to have a
bill introduced repeating the organic
act and putting into effect the new sys-
tenn of appropriations. II the bill cannot
probable that the necessary legislation
can be made in order on the District of
Columbia appropriation bill. II the
measure is handled separately II must
come from the District of Columbis
Committee.
The change suggested by the joint
committee is virtually the plan favored
by the House In passing the last two
District bills.
joint committee does not propose to
limit the amount which the Government
of the United States shall contribute
in other words the way Is left open for
A Federal appropriate ton larger than the
last District budget took care of this
by prohibiting an excess contribution
bv the United States.
However, Congress must approve
before the Federal contribution out
strips that of the District. and we still
have hold on the purse strings"
Will Canvass Situation.
Mr.. Page said he would canvass the
situation to ascertain whether the com.
mittee recommendations can be enacted
into law by specific bill reported from
the House District Committee. II there
is danger that such a measure might
be tied up on the calendar or in COM
mittee Mr.. Page IS ready to tack a
legislative rider On the District budget
and put the committee plan through as
a part of the bill Icing framed bv the
House Committee on Appropriations. A
rule may be obtained making such a
rider In order. and such program
would insure action within the next few
weeks on the adjustment of the half.
and-half principle.
Congressman Charles Crisp. who in
troduced the first bill for the abolish =
mont Of the half-and-haf principle
said today that he felt his position