Evening star., 1921-04-29
BOARD Of TRADE
FOR SAWYER PLAN
Gum Toting Bill and "Half-
and-HaIf" Measure Also
Approved.

the extension of government hoSpltai
facilities in Washington; approval OF
the Ball bill introduced in Congress
restraining the sale of deadly weap-
ons in the District, and the support
of the Senate bill for the continued
use of the half half plan Tor
District expenditures featured the
meeting last night of the Washington
Board Of Trade. held at the willard
Hotel.
Strict economy, in both public and
private business, and courage to face
a serious situation are needed in the
business recuperation of the Cnited
States from the effects of the world
war according to Senator Frank Will !
lis and Representative Theodore Bur
ton, both of Ohio. who addressed the
meeting on the business outlook OF
the nation.
Both speakers emphasized the need
of economy. pointing out that the
tendency on the part of large ma
jcrity of people of this country was
to increase the government burdens
and expenditures.
"A great portion of the mail of
member OF Congress-, said Senator
Willis. "ccnsis.s OF appeals 10 increase
the functions of the government. III
this tendency is rot checked we are
coming toward the end of the repub-
lie.
We talk economy, and vet even
business men will allow themselves to
be used by some propagandists to
send letters to congressman. Some
people expect the government to look
after every one This idea kills indi-
vidual initiative and is in itself the
very gist of socialism"
Business Recovery Slow.
Representative Burton pointed out the
enormous debt of all nations that the
war had piled up-265 billions of dollars
and said that the business recupera-
tion from such a debt would necessarily
be slow. Three reasons for the slow re-
covery Of business were advanced by
Mr.. Burton: That this country was not
yet on a peace basis; that the business
outlook of this country depends largely
on the diplomatic and political situa-
ton. and business depends largely on
confidence.
I'VE will not get back to normal until
we practice economy in both public and
private expenditures" said Represent
ative Burton. "and we must face the
situation with the stoutest heart and
confidence in the future
The speaker commented on the high
transportation charges in this country.
and said that in order to bring them
down wages would have to be lowered
also. He asserted that this was one of
the problems which should require the
immediate attention of the country.
Indorsing the Sawyer plan for the ex-
tension of government hospitals in the
District, the report Of the public health
committee of the board, DR.. D. Percy
Hickling. chairman was adopted unani-
mouSly.
The committee. in its report said tha
a careful survey had been made Of all
bathing places in the District. and that
while there was some illness due to in
fection, the percentage was not large
enough to constitute public menace.
Anti-Gun Law Difficult.
Odell S. Smith, chairman of the pub
lie order committee, told of the diff
culties of his committee in framing
an effective anti-gun-toting law.
He appealed to members Of the board
to support the Ball bill, which, he
asserted, came more nearly to the
ideas of the committee on the subject
than any other form of legislation
proposed. Mr. Smith pointed out that
the Ball bill dealt only with the pur-
chase Of deadly weapons and that 1t
did not prevent the householder from
keeping gun in his home. and also
allowed a man to carry a revolver in
his automobile as at present. He
urged the members to make the Slight
sacrifice required in the bill in order
to help the community as a whole.
Inc report was adopted.
Believing that per cent per month
is sufficient percentage for pawn
brokers to transact business on, the
committee on law. Alexander Wolfe,
chairman, urged the Endorsement of
the board for Senate bill No. Z, as
against Senate bill No. 9S4, the latter
bill providing for a per cent per
has been introduced by Senator Ball.
The report was adopted.
Calling on all civic organizations to
support the Jones bill, Senate No. 2O3,
H. B. F. Macfarland. chairman Of the
municipal finance committee. said
ened the very foundation Of munici
pal life Of the National Capital. and
was at the present time one Of the
most important local measures pend
ing in Congress.
"Hnlf-and-Half' Plan.
The Jones bill provides that all fu-
ture appropriations shall be under
the "half-and- half" plan; that ad-
vanceS from the Treasury shall be
made when the District revenues are
not sufficient to meet the Districts
portion Of appropriations and that
when the District revenue is larger
than its share of appropriations, the
excess shall be kept as a fund to be
used in future years together with
the unexpended tax revenues in the
Treasury under the "half-and-half'
plan; and that the taxes shall only
be sufficient with other District tax
revenues and unexpended tax Surplus
OF previous years to raise the amount
needed to meet the portion Of the
District expenses under the "half-and-
half" plan.
We heartily commend" said the re-
port, the Commissioners Of the Dis
trict of Columbia for their public
stand in support Of the fiscal rela-
ton between the United States and
the District Of Columbia provided in
the organic act Of June II, 1873. upon
which the progress of the National
Capital depends in the future as in the
past, and especially their determine.
ton to see that none of the so-called
surplus made up on unexpended Dis
trict tax money shall be expended ex-
cept Tor District purposes and under
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