Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-15
4GUESSWORK" HELD
Dc. FISCAL BASIS
Begg Declares Apportionment
of District Cost Has Been
on Haphazard Plan.

for the half million disfranchised resi-
dents of the District and of permanent
settlement of the troublesome fiscal
relations questions was championed last
night by Representative Begg of Ohio.
In a remarkably frank, outspoken
address before the annual election meet
ing of the Washington Chamber OF
Commerce at the Willard Hotel, at
which incumbent officers were re-
elected, Mr.. Begg asserted, as member
of Congress for the past 10 years. that
''guesswork" had played a prominent
role in decisions in apportionment OF
the costs of the National Capital.
He contended that concern for citi-
zens of the District of necessity is Sec
ondary in the minds of members of the
House and Senate, who have the
interests of their own constituents at
heart, and charged that but few in
Congress know why various decisions
concerning local fiscal relations were
made.
He proposed as possible solution of
this question a neutral appraisal Of
Federal property holdings here and a
pro-rating of Federal contributions on
the basis of taxation as municipal
taxpayer.
Lacks Spokesman.
He contended that while Congress
never has refused to do what 1t was
convinced was right for the District, it
nevertheless was handicapped by the
lack of official spokesman in its midst
for the District to present positive facts
concerning the District for guidance of
other members of Congress.
Definitely supporting the now Nation
wide movement for granting repre-
sentation in Congress to the District Of
Columbia, Mr.. Begg declared:
II feel that citizens of the City Of
Washington are entitled to national
representation. And feel that you can
obtain representatives in Congress If
you go about it in the right way and
are not easily discouraged" He pointed
out that changes in government are
achieved only by persistent effort and
bespoke continued work in presenting
the case of Washington to members
of Congress
Describing how Washington and
Congress alike now suffer from lack of
official, recognized spokesman in the
National Legislature representing the
District, Mr. Begg declared that Oft
times members are asked to take
assignments on District committees and
do so reluctantly. He said that when
he first came to Washington he under
stood little of Washington, its needs
and problems, and declared many other
members of Congress were in like
situation.
Responsible to Constituents.
wheD members of Congress with
responsibilities back home" are con-
fronted with responsibilities to the
District, he said, with a significant
gesture, "you know which they will
live up to-
washington" he added, should
have representation in the House on
the same basis of population as the
various States. Then you would have
the District. both on the floor and in
committees"
Discussing briefly the fiscal relations
problem, Mr.. Begg, who had explained
that he would speak frankly, since he |
would retire from Congress with the |
close of the present session, declared:
II voted for the $3.50 plan for ap- |
Forthcoming the costs of the National |
Capital voted for the 60-40 plan
and, later, voted for the lump-sum |
arrangement.
"one is as good as another. All are |
founded on some ones guess"
Indicating the need for permanent |
settlement of the fiscal problem on a |
scientific basis, Mr.. Begg offered a
challenge to any one to prove by logi-
cal argument and fact that one ar
rangement was more equitable than
another.
Left to Committee.
ST don't know why the sum of So
600, 900 was determined upon toe be the
share the Federal Government should
pay toward the costs of the National
Capital, and I dare say not nine men,
bers of Congress do know. Such mat
tiers are left to committees to work out,
and the membership of Congress fol-
lows their recommendations.
But if these committees had before
them scientific facts concerning your
problems, the committees would listen.
If the District had its own representa-
tives, they would stay persistently with
these problems, get the facts and be in
a position to convince the committees
and Congress"
Mr.. Begg, himself a trade organiza-
ton members of years of experience,
lauded the Washington chamber for
its interest in civic matters and its
every active citizen should be enrolled
In such work
Support by the speaker of the move
ment for representation for Washing
ton In Congress met with quick re-
spouse by the chamber, and the men, |
bership gave rising vote of thanks |
for his declaration.
The chamber also adopted a resolu- |
ton presented by Charles w. Darr, vice |
president, voicing appreciation for the |
editorial support for the national rep
resentation movement carried recently
In the Saturday Evening Post.
Officers Reelected.
Ivan c. Weld was reelected president
OF the chamber for his second term,
and Mr.. Darr and Rudolph Jose also
were unanimously reelected first and
second vice presidents, respectively.
Ten new members of the board of d.
rectors were elected, as follows: Leo B.
Abernethy, H. A. Brooks, William j.
Brown, Charles T. Clagett, Joseph D.
4 ~