Evening star., 1924-05-04
CRAMTON D.C.CHANGE
MAY BE UP TO SENATE
Record Vote Unlikely in House on
Amendment Governing Fiscal
Relations With City.
TALK OF OTHER REVENUES
Failure of $S,OOO,OOO to Meet Re-
uuirements Discussed.

1t now seems probable that a
record vote in the House on the
Cramton amendment, which entirely
changes the fiscal relations between
the federal and District governments,
by substituting a lump-sum appro-
priation of $4,000, 900 as the federal
governments share in supporting the
National Capital for the time -honored
proportionate contribution, will not
be demanded.
When the Champion amendment
was adopted in the committee of the
whole by the Insignificant vote of
IS to 5, it was generally expected
that this would be reversed when a
demand was made for separate vote
on this amendment when the bill was
reported TO the House by the COM
mIttee of the whole.
WouId Leave 1T to Senate.
Represen ntative Moore of Virginia,
who made the point of order against
the amendment, stated last night
that he had not determined to ask
for vote in the House, and is in
rlined to believe that the matter may
be just as well left as it is. so far
as the House is concerned, for con-
Sideration by the Senate.
Representative Moore does not
bslieve that the Senate will approve
the action of the committee of the
whole in substituting an annual con-
tribution of SS,000,00o for the prese Mt
proportionate contribution without
deliberate consideration. He said
that aside from the wisdom of hastily
changing the fiscal basis. it is very
significant that the author of the
amendment himself recognized that
the amount which it specifies should
be increased, by conceding to the
District the exclusive use of certain
miscellaneous revenues in which the
government now shares, but was de-
feated in his effort to have the bill
modified in that particular.
To show that such miscellaneous
revenues are important. the chair
man of the committee of the whole
said:
For 1923, the figures for which are
not final. the receipts from these
sources will amount to about S1,Q2S.-
207.07. What it will be for 1925. no.
body knows. No statement is made.
million; it might be two million; it
might be three million"
Representative Moore said: 1T
would be one thing to change the
basis as result of a careful in
auiry, but quite another thing to
pressed by a small number of indi-
vidual members. Only thirty-three
members voted on the Cramton
amendment, the division being
sum contribution is to be put into
effect at all, it should be included
in general legislation which will
stabilize conditions for the future
and avoid the uncertainty and con-
stantly recurring controversy which
now obtain.
CommkssiOners' Powers.
I'm the event Sucb leeisIation 10 an
acted it should definitely fix a fair
amount to be paid out of the federal
Treasury and more clearly define the
authority of the Commissioners with
reference to expenditures for District
purposes. including any power they
should have to issue bonds to care for
necessary work.
1T should take into account that
no reason would remain for the con-
tinued application of the budget law
to the District, while it might be de-
sirable to provide for an official
charged with the duties that are COM
monty assigned to controller in a
municipal government. Comprehen
sive legislation would be made pos
sible by the appointment of a small
joint committee, such as is contem
plated by the resolution which l of
fered the other day and which was
referred to the committee on rules for
action.
"Otherwise, it is obvious that the
situation is apt to be dealt with in
pretty casual and unsatisfactory
manner. The resolution is simply in
line with views that have been re-
Gently expressed in the House by Mr.
Burton of Ohio and others who recog-
now prevails should be found, and
hope that it may eventuate in some
thing of real value being accom-
plished."