Evening star., 1922-02-04
HOUSE REJECTS INCREASED
FUNDS FOR STREET REPAIRS
Discusses and Approves District Appropri-
ations When Only twenty-five Men,
bers Are in Their Seats. a..

state of Illinois in the Senate. Mr.
sherman. IL seems. therefore, that the
House in dealing With this bill. so
Tar as great variety Of matters are
which the gentleman from Maryland
(Mr. Zihlman) has asked attention, is
now expected to defer altogether and
man.
Even though he was chairman of
tne District committee he should not
be permitted to take complete charge
of our legislative functions and re-
spons!bilities. We should not put the
House of Representatives in the hands
of gentleman. however able and
reputa Bile he may be, because at one
time he happened to be the chairman
OF the Senate committee on the Dis
trict,"
Mr.. johnson Replies.
Representative Ben johnson OF
Kentucky, former chairman Of the
District, and whose questions at the
hearings brought out the testimony
which is a basis for Representative
Moore's charges. said he, as a member
Of the subcommittee on appropria-
tions, would rather have the opinion
OF good engineer on street i'm
proVements and their cost than that
Of Il good lawyer like former Senator
Sherman.
During the hearings arrived at
the conclusion that the budget recon-
mendations had been perfunctorily
made rather Nlan scientifically
made" said Representative johnson.
I'VE all recognize ex-senator sher-
man as a man OF very great ability;
but for one am unable to see why.
as an ex-member of the Senate. his
judgment should be conceded TO n
greater extent than when he was 4
member of the Senate. As a member
OF the Senate re had much to DO with
District or Columbia legislation. but
do not believe with his experience
In that direction. and from what !
know of his former life and general
character. that he is sufficiently
equipped to compete in judgment
mstted ability as TO the cost of con-
struction of sewers and streets,
Il can see very well how he can ex-
ercise good judgment as to whether
or not a street Is In good or bad con-
dition. but ] am unable to see how
ne can go so far as to reduce the
actual estimate made by the engineer
department as TO what street or
sewer is TO cost"
More Confidence in EnxineeYs.
Having more confidence in the ga
paclty OF the engineer department foI
that peculiar character of work thar
have in that OF an unframed man
for that sort OF work. throughput the
hearings l preferred to accept tn.
opinion, particularly as to scientttit
subjects. of the Engineer Commis-
sIoner and his assistants, rather thaa
that Of layman.
Throughout my service here
have never been guided by eitheI
friendship or enmity toward the Dis.
trict OF Columbia. Instead, I hav,
undertaken to hew to the line a..
Judgment and conscience told me J
should, regardless of whether il
pleased or dispIeased. ! am following
that policy today. Until this session
! have never been upon an appropriat
Ing committee. If. long ago. I hat
been upon an appropriating commit.
tee. / would have recognized the
opinions of men trained in d scienc.
rather than the opinions OF those. II,
matter what their ability in othel
directions may be. who are not so
trained. I would have great respecl
for the opinion OF Senator Shermaf
relative to any law of the District o.
Columbia. AS to his legal opinion. ]
would as soon refer to 1t as to that or
any other man ! know, but when
comes to the construction of street.
and sewers l must Insist that,I prefel
to have the opinion of competen.
engineers. And for that reason
have taken the position which l no.
take relative to these matters