The Washington times., 1916-01-07

half principle. although the fact that
the findings Of the Investigators are
signed by all OF them may infiuehce the
senate Quickly to accept the report
half-and-half I'm the House that the
Chiffon committees report merely pre-
gents 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 1919
ana 1915 and contained In sections and
l5, respectively as the District butAgetH
left the House.
Section 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-nnd- half, adopted the sug-
eestion with whoop, but tho SEN
ate robelled.
An attcmpt was made last year TO
bring about the same thlnsI when the
House committee included a provision
for turning District revenues into tne
Treasury and providing that the con-
trtbution OF the Federal Government
should never exceed the District taxes
collected. Under such an arrange
ment the District would have con-
tributed about $4,000, ,OOo annually to
tte upkeep AMI the Federal Govern
lnent probably would have 'chlpped
in about S5,00n.0nO to S6,000,0 900.
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
tlons OF the committee. / regard their
v.lu - a.
the report. TIE 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
be reported and passed at once. II 10
probable that the necessary legislation
can be made in order on the District Of
Columbia APPROPRIATION bill IL 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
The principal difference Is that the
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
Federal appropriation larger than the
District contribution. Our rider on 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
q part of the bill being framed by the
House Committee on Appropriations. A
rule may be obtained making such a
rider In order. and such a program
would insure action within the next few
weeks on the 1bolishment OF the half
and-half principle.
Congressman Charles Crisp. who in
troduced the first bill for the abolish
ment OF the half-and-half principle.
said today that he felt his position