The Washington times., 1922-12-20
~. i-.ft n ~ tffs - 400. va 2
CONGRESS
GAG ON ]
Gil Y
Refusal Of School Hearing
Shows Need Of Voice in Ses-
sions, Leaders Declare.

opOspos 1VooVso O0SosVs
"Need Of direct contact between
the people Of Washington and Con-
gress by suffrage for the District
Of Columbia has never been more
strongly emphasized than during
the current hearings on local ap-
propriations," Henry H. Classic,
chairman Of the citizens committee
Of five, on schools, declared today.
Within the Law.
Mr.. Classics committee was re-
fused a hearing by the subcommit-
tee Of the House Appropriations
Committee yesterday, when the
school estimates for 1924 were dis.
cussed.
Congressman Cramton, chairman
of the subcommittee. showed that II
was illegal to hear an unofficial
group on an increase in the esti-
mates as submitted by the Bureau
Of the Budget. & ,,s. =
when the subcommittee 10 con-
tions," said Mr.. Glassie today, ut
| In not funcfioning strictly as a ma
tional legislature. but more az a city
Taxpayers' voice Silent.
The subcommittee 10 making
ready to spend District taxpayers
money, and taxpayers feel that they
should have o voice. however small.
In the disposition Of this money.
The subcommittee has failed TO
make this important distinction be-
tween Its duties n q national and Al
. local body. and only emphasizes
the need for suffrage in Washing-
Mr.. Classic declined to comment
on the refusal of the subcommittee
to hear the citizens body, which
represents the entire taxpaying pub
lic Of the District.
'AIistsks," His Opinion.
my personal opinion II. that the
action was injudicious-that it was
Q mistake" said Mr.. Classic. But
the subcommittee was abiding by
enacted law and did not see fit to
relax their Interpretation Of the law
In order to give the District Il
voice"
Mr.. Classic stated that the COM
mittee would be allowed by Con.
gressman Cramton to submit q
| written statement on the city's edu.
cational needs, and this statement
VIII be prepared at q meeting to-
morrow. The citizens will be al
lowed to sit at the executive hear.
ings.
The committee was headed by
Henry H. Classic, prominent Wash
ington attorney. They were to carry
into the hearings the wishes and
recommendations Of the citizenry Of
the National Capital. Congressman
Cramton stated that they were ad-
mitted to the hearings only as q mat
ter OF courtesy and that II they wish
cd to make any statements It must
be done through q brief.
The fact that the items contained
In the estimates Of the bureau Of the
budget are being passed over in rec.
ord time and that outside opinions
are not being welcomed by the men,
bers Of the subcommittee, has cast
shadow Of doubt as to the result
OF the hearings ana the final find.
ings OF the subcommittee. II IL now
thought that fight to retain the
items as submitted by the bureau
OF the budget is the best step for
the officials Of the District rather
than an attempt to get increases.
School officials who appeared
before the committee yesterday
made plea for the many needed
increases In the appropriations and
pointed out in support OF their con-
eention that the building situation
becoming alarming. Many build.
ings' are In need OF repairs, and
there 10 general lack Of suitable
structures In the District.
The fact that expansion was
stopped for a period OF four years
or more during the world war. and
that this must be made up a. well
- the natural progression ~ . 70.
suit OF increased population. wa
clearly brought out.
The subcommittee, however. Il
- understood, n Of the opinion that
the Sl,2oo.O00 recommended By the
budget for the coming year - sum