Evening star., 1922-03-03
Leaders Strongly Oppose
Amendment to District Ap-
preparation Bill.
MADDEN AND DAVIS ARE
AMONG ITS OPPONENTS
Abandoning of Proportionate Con-
tribution Plan Branded as
"Wrong Working Basis"

The Jones amendment put on the Dis
trict appropriation bill in the Senate
which does away with the definite pro-
portionate contribution between the fed
eral and District governments for capi-
tai maintenance. hasn't the ghost OF a
chance of passing tie House, In the
opinion Of those who would lead In
handling this legislation.
While members Of the House appro-
priations committee do not feel that II
is proper for them to discuss the Jones
amendment in view Of the fact that
they may be called upon to act as con-
ferees on tine District appropriation bill.
they are practically unanimous in oppo-
sition to it.
Rider Has No Chance.
The members of the appropriations
committee and of the special sub
committee which framed the Dis
trict appropriation bill are practi-
cally unanimous in saying privately
they believe this amendment has no
chance of passing. 1t is known that
this is the opinion of Chairman Mad
den of the appropriations committee
and Of Chairman Davis of the sub
committee on District appropriations.
both of whom feel that it would be
inimical to the best interests not
only of the residents of the District
and the development of the National
Capital, but that it would be estab-
fishing a wrong working basis Tor
the federal government.
Representative Joe Walsh of Massa-
chusetts, acting Speaker. is another
member who has strong influence on
the floor who expresses the belief
that this legislation will not be &C
cepted by the House.
Focht Opposes idea.
Chairman Focht of the House Dis
trict committee has already an
nounced that he will lead a fight If
necessary in the House against the
Jones amendment. Every member OF
the House District committee who
has been interviewed on the subject.
both republicans and democrats, says
he will vote against the Jones amend
ment and believes that 1t would be
mistake to endeavor to put 1t through
the House
The opinion was generally express
ed among House leaders today that
this amendment will be killed in the
Senate, and that it will never reach
the House. However. several OF the
majority leaders are preparing to
speak in opposition II it comes up as
an issue in the House.
The District appropriations bill to-
day was still waiting until the Senate
had completed consideration OF the
proposed change in the rules giving
the Senate appropriations committee
control of all appropriation bills.
Lively Debate on Rules.
The proposed change in the rules
led to considerable debate today.
One of the provisions OF the reso-
luton proposing the change in the
rules is as follows:
'.'The committee on appropriations
shall not report an appropriation
bill containing new or general legis-
lation, and If an appropriation bill
is reported to the Senate containing
new or general legislation, a point
Of order may be made against the
bill, and if the point Is sustained
the bill shall be recommitted to the
committee on appropriations"
If the proposed change in the rules
should be adopted containing this
provision, before the District bill is
taken up, the so-called Jones rider,
which is new legislation. might make
the bill subject to a point OF order
under the language just quoted, 1t
was pointed out today.