Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-01
DISTRICT IN CONGRESS.

The abolition Of the ha1f-and-half
system of appropriation. recommended
to both houses of Congress early in
January by the joint select committee
of Congress. was followed a few days
later by the introduction of a District
appropriation bill without the half
and-half provision. The joint COM
mittee's report recommended the adop-
ton of a plan whereby the District
would pay a fair and fixed tax to be
used for District purposes alone. and
that the federal government should pay
District expenses in excess OF the
amount raised by the District The In
terest on the funded debt. however.
was to be paid on the half-and-half
plan. Senator Works of California, a
member of the committee. filed a mi
nority report advocating that the Dis
trict of Columbia be q bureau of the
federal government to be run directly
by the United States without the in
PREVENTION of any municipal govern
ment
In the light of the committee report
the District bill was introduced in the
House in May without a half-and-half
provision. and carrying only $11.S94.-
1874. The United States was to pay
any excess of the expenses for the
year. which could not be met by the
District Of Columbia. and as the bill
was then framed. the Districts share
was S9.3 per cent Representative Tink-
ham of Massachusetts endeavered to
restore the half-and-hah plan. but the
House voted him down in committee of
the whole.
The Senate committee rewrote the
bill with the half-and-half in it. It
also increased the bill to 1000, 600
approximately. but the Senate reduced
this figure to $13.634.502. nearly $1,000
900 more than the House bill. BY a
half-and-half plan. and at the same
time adopted the Sterling amendment
for an intangible property tax in the
District. 1t also tackled a cheaper gas
amendment to the bill.
Meantime. the District was supported
by continuing resolutions. After sew
era1 sessions Of conferees between the
two houses. the House Of Representa-
tives receded from its position on the
half-and-half, accepted tho Senate bill.
gas provision. and the President signed
the bill September 1.
Only few weeks passed after the en-
actment Of one bill and the estimates
for the Districts needs for the next
fiscal year. The Commissioners have
asked for $16.961.0 92. and the House
has responded with a bill. incorporating
the half-and-half provision. carrying
$13.455.s29. The bill. already passed
the House. was not made the subject
Of any attack by the opponents Of the
half-and-half. An attempt was made
to amend the bill by legislation provid-
ing horizontal raise for the District
employees, amounting to 10 per cent on
salaries to 81 200 and per cent on
salaries between $1,000 and $500. but
was defeated.
The Tinkham bill. providing that as
easements for benefits on street OPEN
fngs shall be delayed until the work
Is under way, is before both houses OF
Congress in favorable position for en-
actment- Congress enacted much
needed legislation abolishing the
nuisance Of fake auctions" It also
provided an inquiry by the Department
of Labor into the cost of living In the
District of Columbia. The Community
forum" bill has not been passed, and
In addition. there are numerous bills in
both committees Of Congress which
will have to be pushed II they are to
be enacted at the present short session.