Evening star., 1925-11-29
LUMP SUM PLAN
CAUSING TROUBLE
Fiscal Relations of District
Il and u. S. Discussed by
Citizens Council.

Troubles in the fiscal relations be.
tween the District of Columbia and
the Federal Government are brewing
under the lump-sum plan, it was
pointed out to the Citizens Advisory
Council at its meeting in the District
building last night. Maj. Daniel J.
Donovan, District auditor. told The
council that the question had come
up In connection with certain engi
neering projects specifically provided
for by Congress. in which the stipu.
lation was made that the expense was
TO he borne by the District and Fed.
eral Governments in the same pro.
portion as other expenses are paid.
1t was Maj. Donovan's opinion that
such acts must carry the provision
that the money is to be paid In ac.
Cordance with the act providing for
the sixty-forty plan of apportiOn-
ment
The council, after listening to Mai
Donovan. resumed its consideration
OF the bill providing for increased pow
ers for the Commissioners, adopted
several of the paragraphs, rejected
some. and left others for future con
sideration. II rejected as inopportune
recommendation that the council he
sven al blllCLdl status, ana II also re-
lected provision TO place on the tax.
payers of the District Of Columbia
the burden of policing the Federal
parks and reservations, the effect of
which would he to place the park
police system under the metropolitan n
police, according to members.
Grade Crossing Discussed.
Mat. Donovan read correspondence
hn- =,
clerk of the Engineer Department of
the District, relating 10 III grade cross
ing elimination at Lamond d. C.
The measure provided that one half
Of the expense was TO be borne by
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and
authorized an appropriation of S7l. 500.
payable in proportion by the District
and Federal Governments as other
expenses were paid Maj Donovan
ruled that the s9.000.o00 lump sum
represented the maximum liability of
the United States in any one fiscal
year. unless Congress makes express
provision for a deficiency and pro-
Nides that an additional sum shall be
paid by the United States. He ex-
pressed the opinion that In bills or
special bills carrying appropriations
specific provision should be made for
the exact amount to be paid in each
or d SIlpuldIlOh InaI IL was 10 ne PAID
in accordance with the act making
he 60-40 plan.
Unless such provision is made he
told the council. il will be impossible
TO figure out what proportion Of the
expenses of such projects should be
paid by the Federal and District of
Columbia Governments.
The provision in the commissioners
hill giving them increased powers.
which gave them police authority over
all reservations and areas in the city.
except those Of the Federal Govern
ment Immediately occupied by build
ings, was rejected. 1t was the con
tention OF William S. Torbert, chair
man Of the committee making the re-
port. that the effect would be to sad.
die the taxpayers Of the District with
the expense. of. POLICING the Federal
reservations: - > 80 I'D.
Given Sale Power.
A part Of the section giving the
Commissioners power TO sell or lease
property not needed for public use
was adopted, with q provision that
lands Of value Of more than 81 900
shall be advertised before sale.
The section giving the Commits
sioners power to make regulations
for installation Of fire escapes and
fire proofng Of buildings, with power
TO make fees for the inspections. was
approved, as also was the section
giving them authority to make regu-
lations governing electric wiring in
homes, licensing of electricians and
the power to direct public service cor
porations to cease service to any place
where defective wiring was found.
After considerable discussion the
council also approved the section Civ
lllthOrltT
in their judgment, 1t would subserve
the public interest. and also to cancel
taxes when the same have been err
roneOusly levied. This section, it
was pointed out, would obviate a
multiplicity Of suits. as such cases
now have to go TO court
1t approved the provision giving the
Commissioners authority TO build pub
lie works with day labor when the
cost was not in excess OF $1,000. The
section giving the Commissioners au-
thority to close streets and highways
! not in conformity with the highway
plan upon approval of all of the abut-
. ting property owners was passed over.
Street Changes Denied.
II likewise passed over the DIVISION
giving the Commissioners authority
to change the names of streets, other
named since the passage Of the act OF
1873
The provision was. passed giving
the city heads authority TO make
regulations for the LAYING Of pipes
and wires in the public area for pri-
vate use and to compel the removal
of poles in public spaces when un-
slightly and unsafe. 1t also passed
the provision giving them authority
70 fix rates for assessment for the
laying of streets and sidewalks
There was -considera bic contention
over the authority sought by the
Commissioners in the proposed meas.
ure 10 appoint civil employees of the
District as special policemen for the
protection of property and the "en-
forcement of municipal regulations
in general.
II passed the section giving the
commissioners authority to make all
reasonable regulations for the pro-
tection of life, limb. health. comfort
and quiet. make provision for a fine,
and to put them in effect upon one
weeks notice by publication How
ever. a redraft was ordered
II also passed over for fling
the provision saving that the fact that
Congress had acted on any particular
matter of regulation should not limit
the city heads from making further
regulations on the same subject
The council adjourned to meet at
80 o'clock tomorrow night at the
District Building. Mr.. Suter said he
hoped 10 have ready a report on the
public utilities bill. When this is con-
sidered he said he would seek to
have present TO advise the council
William Nick. Clayton. 1t is possible
also that the fiscal relations bill may
come up, but there is an agreement
that [, IS measure will not be consid.