Evening star., 1916-05-07
OPPOSES CHANGE
IND. c. FISCAL PLAN
Representative Tinkham Be-
Iieves HaIf-and.Half the
Soundest System.
ADDRESSES Federation
CITIZENS ASSOCIATIONS
Believes Congress Will Adopt Only
the Most Liberal Policy
Toward Capital.

Representative George H. Tinkham
of Boston last night practically served
notice in a speech before the Fedora
ton of Citizens Associations that he
will oppose any effort to change the
present fiscal relations between the
District and federal governments.
He declared that while he has not in
vestiGated the subject as carefully as
he intends to, his present disposition
is to regard the half-and-half act as
the soundest and best law and the one
that most effectively will obtain the
results that Congress. the District ana
the country at large desire.
Because of the interest he has shown
in District matters since becoming
member of Congress and of the House
District committee, Mr.. Tinkham was in
vited to address the federation on the
needs of Washington.
His utterances relative to the organic
act were received with applause. as was
later a statement to the effect that to-
morrow he will introduce a bill designed
to correct the injustices that obtain in
the collecting of assessments for street or
alley Improvements.
His Assessment Plan.
This bill. which has received the ap-
proval of the District Commissioners,
he said, will provide that assessments
shall not become due and payable until
the street or alley improved has been
actually opened for use. The several as
sessments. in accordance with the ver-
dict of the condemnation jury. shall
operate as a lien until the Commission
ers serve notice that the street or alley
has been opened and payments are due.
Payments may be made in three INSTALL
ments-one-third within sixty days
after the serving of notice by the Com
missoners: one-third within one year
and the remainder within two years.
with interest at the rate of per cent
a fter the expiration of sixty days from
| the serving of notice.
Capitals Development.
! At the outset Mr. Tinkham outlined a
policy relative to Washington's devel-
! opment, which he predicted would
| guide Congress in it's legislative de-
| liberations. He said:
washington is the center of this
wonderful and splendid American
| civilization. Here center more COM
|
| ilization. the thought of the American
| people. their aspirations. than any
| where else in the world. AS Wash
| ng.on is the most representative. most
| national city, so more splendidly. more
! impressively should it represent all in
our civilization which is sound. intel
ligent and beautiful than any other city
| in these United States.
Its laws should be patterned after
the latest and most intelligent Ameri-
can thought: its aspect should dazzle
| the magination and the eye as no
other American city. and it's admin
| istration should be without rival
Sure of Liberal Policy.
The Sixty-fourth Congress of the
United States desires to do all that
it can to accomplish these purposes
and make these ideals existing facts.
All that prevents this accomplishment
in full measure is the pressure of most
| unusual and imperative legisla tion de-
manded by the extraordinary time in
which we are this moment living. Con-
gress has now before it legislation
concerning the financial treatment of
Washington. There is proposed
change from the so-called half-and-
half plan. whichever system will treat
Washington most generously. which
ever system will be most liberal to
Washington. feel sure will be adopt
ed. Already the House has. passed the
Juvenile court bill, which represents
the most humane and latest and most
scientific thought on the care, protec-
ton and development OF cni.dren VINO
state. You know it's provisions and
have approved it..
Discusses other Bills.
The Boston member discussed in de-
tail the provisions of the Juvenile
Court bill and also the bill to establish
here an institution for the care Of the
Districts feeble-minded population.
The latter legislation. he stated. would
put the District on an equal footing
with thirty-four states which have
made adequate provision for this class
of dependents. In the District there
are nearly 900 feeble minded persons,
he pointed out.
Mr.. Tinkam also explained the need
of placing District government en-
yided for in a bill which he has intro
duced and of legislation that would
insure an immediate trial In the mu-
nicipal court of cases In which the
amount involved 1s sou or less. Such
a bill is now before Congress. and the
nrediction was made by the speaker !
that it would receive favorable action |
at this session.
There was a big representation or
deIeeates at the meeting. which was
held at the Chamber of Commerce. and
Mr. Tinkham was given rising vote |
of thanks for his address. Prior to his |
arrival the federation had passed the
Tinkham civil service BILL with minor !
amendments.
Johnson Bill Debated.
ITpon the conclusion of his speech the
fadaration began consideration of the