Evening star., 1920-03-28
HOUSE APPROVES
MOVE TO INCREASE
TAXES IN DISTRICT
Also Reaffirms Stand to End
$3.50 Plan of Financing
National Capital.
AMENDMENT PROVIDES
. SURPLUS BE WIPED OUT
Representatives Mann and Moore
+, Deplore Hasty Action on
F "Makeshift" Measure.

T "Makeshift" Measure.
After a special rule was invoked
The House. in the committee OF the
whole. yesterday approved the pro-
s4Aioa in the 1921 District appropri-
tion bill increasing from IL TO 2A
per cent the tax rate on real estate
and tangible personal property in
the District. The House also reaf-
Armed its approval Of the proposal to
abolish the half-and-haf principle of
hnancing the National Capital, after
friends of the District had made re-
peated attempts to thwart this effort.
Representative Joseph Walsh of
Massachusetts, raised the point of
order against the proposed increase
Of salary from $4,000 to $4,000 for the
District Commissioners.
Conmend Subcommittee.
The time Of debate was taken up
principally with eommend1tion Of the
subcommittee that drafted the bill
for its liberality in increasing the
salaries Of school teachers and au-
thorizing the extensive school build
gress toward the District was en-
phasized as an example for the en-
tire country to give teachers living
wage and raise the profession to a
higher economic plane
The action on the two paragraphs to
disregard the haK-and half principle
In paying the District costs and to
increase the tax rate was without
record vote.
Representative James R. Mann OF H.
linois. former republican leader.
raised the point of order against both
provisions. When the point Of order
against the half-and-half- item was
sustained chsirmap Davis OF the sub
committee on District of Columbia
appropriations Immediately brought
in q substitute proposal. This has
the effect OF making 1t incumbent to
pay out the $4,000. 600 surplus to the.
credit. Of the District In the federal
Treasury before any levy shall be
made upon federal funds. 1t also
limits the draft on the federal funds
so that they shall in no event be az
much as one-half of said expenses"
Text Of Amendment.
Chairman Davis assured Repre-
sentative Mann that the House had
previously been ruled in order. The
amendment was adopted as follows:
That the following sums are ap
propriated out of the revenues Of the
District of Columbia to the extent
49, xLx,, -. .,,Aacia ont. fharafor ond
the remainder out of any money in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
but the amount to be paid from the
Treasury of the United States shall
In no event be as much as one-half
Of said expenses, in full for the fol-
loving expenses of the government OF
the District of Columbia for the fiscal
amounts to pay the interest and sink
ing fund on the funded debt of said
District, of which amounts one-half
is appropriated out of any money in
the Treasury not otherwise appropri-
ated and the other half out of the
revenues of the District of Columbia,
namely
committee brought in special rule
to make the tax increase Immediately
in order after the point Of order
against this provision by Representa-
tive Mann had been sustained. This
special rule also made in order other
new legislation in the District bill in.
cluding increases Of pay for school
teachers. funds for construction OF
new school buildings to be made i'm.
mediately available. increases ir
water rent and doubling the assess.
ment for laying water mains.
Representative Mann had a stancf
supporter in Representative r. Wal.
ton Moore. democrat of Virginia. II
his contention that the tax increase
was put into the bill without careful
consideration of the matter. ito which
q subject Of this importance is en-
titled" Both Representative Mann
and Representative Moore said i
works a grave injustice to the resi-
dents of the National Capital. The.
accused the committee of hurried ac
ton and with bringing the provision
In in "makeshift FORM"
Mr.. Mann Defends Course.
Chairman Davis accused Mr.. Mani
of attempting to assist rich men il
their endeavor to evade taxation. TIL
Illinois member replied as follows:
II make the point Of order on tn
nroposttion increasing the intangibl
property tax, although a distinguish
"a member of the committee said
d,d II in the interest OF wealth.
.r believe in intelligent Legislation
The committee on appropriations o
,ha sussommitteS does not. That
~. difference between us. I believ
.,,.t when you impose taxes on tn
,.on,e they ought to be imposed afte
int.llieent consideration.
.I admit that i do not know muc
.hout the tax rates. The only differ
-. hstween me and the subcommi,
-. an appropriations is that they
,t admit it. I admit it. 1 would b
-.r,ectly willing to let even the sui
so,,rittee on the District appropria
80. h,ll to take up the tax matte
80 five Intelligent and careful cor
.,d.ration to the matter. and abid
bv their Judgment
we have. however. a leEislati'
..r.r,ttse of the House which n.
1continued on 'ase T. c0iumh -