Evening star., 1922-03-02
ZONES TAX RIDER
WOULD Be ERROR,
SENATORS BELIEVE
Think. Elimination of Fixed
Ratio Improper on Ap-
preparation Bill.
MIGHT BE STRICKEN OUT
ON A POINT OF ORDER
Some Hold It Is General Legisla
ton on Measure to Provide
Funds.

Belief that the Senate appropria-
tions committee made mistake
when it inserted rider in the DIS
trict appropriation bill doing away
with any fixed ratio Of proportiopate
contribution on the part OF the red
eral government for the national cap
ital is growing among senators, 1t
was revealed today.
Furthermore, some of the senators
believe that this rider is subject to a
point of order in the Senate. on the
ground that it is general Legislation
in an appropriation bill. 1t Is true
that the Senate earlier in the session
passed a bill which is identical with
the rider. This fact. it has been said'
makes in order the placing OF the mat
ter in an appropriation bill.
Contention Not Borne Out.
A strict Interpretation of the rules
of the Senate, however. does not bear
out the contention that the rider is
in order, according to some of the
senators.
The rules of the Senate relating to
amendments to an appropriation bill
are very explicit. They say:
mo amendment shall be received to
any general appropriation Dill tine
District bill is one of them) the ef-
feet of which will be to increase an
appropriation already contained in
the bill, or to add a new item of ap-
preparation. unless it be made to
carry out the provisions of some ex-
listing law, or treaty stipulation, or
act. or resolution previously passed
by the Senate during that session, or
unless the same be moved by direc-
ton of a select or standing committee
of the Senate, or proposed in pursu-
ance to an estimate of the head OF
one of the departments"
Hangs ON This Rule.
1t is under this rule that supporters
Of the rider on the District bill con-
tend that the rider is in order.
But the rider is not an increase in
an appropriation, nor is it a new item
of appropriation. 1t is general legis-
lation. And the rules of the Senate
with regard to general legislation
say further along:
mo amendmenk-rssxfiotr
general legislation shall be received
There is no exception made in the
rules with regard to general legis-
: lation, no qualification to the effect
that II such legislation has been Ia
vorably acted upon previously by the
Senate. or has been reported by a
order.
Would Fail ON Point Of Order.
Therefore. if any senator opposing
the rider should make point of or
der against it, a strict Interpretation
of Senate rules, it is said, would cause
the rider to fail.
The Senate recently put through a
bill authorizing the purchase of the.
Klingle road, Piney Branch and Pat
terson tracts of land for park purposes.
The Senate appropriations committee
has placed these items in the bill.
But in this case the point of order
would not lie against the park pur-
chase amendment, since it is clearly
an item of appropriation and covered
by the .first section of the rules al
ready quoted.
Has Fought for $3.50.
The Senate in the past has stood
firm against proposals from the
House that an indeterminate arrange
ment with regard to the governments
share of the expenditures for the Ma
tional Capital be adopted instead OF
a regular fixed ratio. It has fought
for the $3.50 ratio, and finally only
agreed to the 60-40 ratio after long
controversy with the House, which
originally advanced the indeterminate
proposal. The 60-40 plan was a COM
promise. But it is compromise
which seems to have suited the
House, and it was placed in the Dis
trict appropriation bill, now pending,
by the House.
The sudden reversal of the stand
of the Senate in regard to this matter
has caused considerable surprise to
some of the senators. who did not
give the matter much consideration
at the time the Jones bill, with the
Caraway amendment was put
through earlier in the session.
Fear Extra Burden on City.
The rider to the bill inserted by
the Senate committee proposes that
the tax rate for the District shall be
reasonable" and that for the pres
emit it shall be $1.75. After the money
raised by taxation in the District
has been used up. the federal gov
.ernment then is to make up any ad-
ditional sum necessary to meet the
appropriations made by Congress.
In some quarters the belief Is ex-
pressed that tina time will come, II
this plan is adopted. when the cfti-
zens Of the District will be compelled
to hear the entire burden of carry
ing on the upkeep of the capital city,
notwithstanding the great holdings
of the government in the city.