Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-09
S|SSON DEFENDS
ATTACK ON $3.50
Chairman in House Debate
Tells Why HaIf-and-HaIf
Principle Was Rejected.
OTHERS DISCUSS ACTION

Attempt to justify his action in re-
porting new legislation to abrogate
the half-and-half system of financing
the District. attached to the Districts
appropriation bill, was made on the
floor Of the House today by Repre-
sentative Sisson of Mississippi, chair
man of the subcommittee on District
appropriations.
At the opening of the session to-
day Representative Sisson called up
for immediate action the District ap-
preparation bill which he reported Sat
Nrday. General debateswas limited to
five hours. with Representative Gar
ner of Texas in the chair.
Defeated in Last Session.
The first item in the bill proposes to
change the fiscal relations between
Thc government and the Capital city.
The wording of this new legislation
is Identical with the Gard resolution
which was defeated in the last session
OF Congress.
Representative Sisson said this
proposition was prepared long ago by
The gentleman who is now chairman
a. the committee on appropriations.
J:r urging this as an appropriate time
i'll his opinion for changing the fiscal
relations, he said the District officials
are now asking for a reduction in the
rate of taxation because more money
is being received from taxes than is
needed for the expenses of the Dis
trict under the half-and-ha1f system.
He reviewed the establishment of
the organic act and pointed out that
the action of Congress "as a gratuity
has aided In reducing the 100000 900
Indebtedness of the city so that by
1922 all the bonds will have been
paid."
The conditions of the streets in
Washington were described by Repre-
sentative Towner of Iowa as a dis
grace to any city. He said they were
both dirty and unsafe. Due to reck-
less and excessive speed by automo-
bilists. Representative Towner said, it
was unsafe for women and children
TO be on the street during certain
hours.
Refers to Labor Shortage.
Mr.. sisson explained that this con-
dition was due largely to the fact
that there was a labor shortage, and
that 1t was Impossible to get labor
to keep the streets in proper condi-
tion. He said the appropriations for
posed by the war. and that all the
appropriations asked for had been
granted and that most of the unex-
pended appropriations In the last
fiscal year had been continued.
In endeavoring to emphasize what
he believed is an enviable tax rate
in the District, much easier than in
other parts of the country. Chairman
Sisson made an unfortunate selection
by picking out Representative Lin
- ar1yyo ra moi n
to him additional county and state
taxes, which he said the people of
Baltimore are forced to pay. Repre-
sentative Linthicum corrected Mr..
Sisson by explaining that Baltimore
and st. Louis are the two cities which
are distinct corporations. and that
the system of taxation explained by
Representative Sisson did not apply
TO Baltimore.
Representative Little of Kansas
was explaining the necessity for in
creasing the salaries of the District
commissioners. Representative Little
compared salaries and necessary ex-
J.eTses of a member of Congress with
those of District Commissioners.
Washington's Advantage.
Chairman Sisson pointed out as the
one big advantage Washington has as
the capital city. the federal pay roll
here, which he said is unaffected by
crop conditions and is paid regularly
every fifteen days.
Representative Sisson said there
never was a time in the history of
the city when there was as much diff
iiculty In getting proper material for
policemen.
Representative Linthicum of Mary
land suggested that the District
ought to pay its school teachers bet
ter salaries.
II agree" said Mr.. Sisson, that
teachers salaries throughout the
United States are altogether too
SMALL
fhe change proposed in the appoint
Inent of the school board was ex-
planned by Representative Sisson. He
s.tid that the District Supreme Court,
which appoints the board. must now
G"pend to a large extent upon the
Commissioners for Information as to
thc appointments. and it was thought
better to transfer the appointing
mower to the CommissionerS