Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-20
FISCAL PROBE PLAN
PENDS IN SENATE.
Senate Debates Deadlock
Over District Appropria-
ton Measure.
Continued From First Page.)

Continued From First Page.)
values, to be appointed by the Presi.
| dent of the United States, at least one
OF whom shall not reside In. or owr
| property in, the District Of Columbia
1t shall be the duty of the commission
| under such rules and regulations as tC
1t may seem fair and just, to make ar
annual valuation as of the 1st day o1
July of the land and improvements
thereon in the District of Columbus
owned by the United States, exclusive
OF streets and alleys, and all privately
owned land and Improvements thereon
in the District of Columbia, exclusive
OF land and Improvements thereon, ex-
preSsly exempt from taxation. The
commission shall report the result OF
its valuation to Congress on the first
Monday in December. 1881, and an
nuallly thereafter. The assessor of the
District of Columbia shall serve with
out additional compensation. The other
two members shall serve for a term of
are appointed and qualified, and shall
receive an annual compensation of
$4,000 each, the payment Of which is
hereby authorized. Such sum as may
be submitted annually by the Bureau
Of the Budget for personal services and
other necessary expenses in connection
with the work Of the commission is
hereby authorized to be appropriated. !"
Would Report Annually.
The Jones resolution would create
commission OF three members, one of
whom would be the District assessor
and two persons familiar with real es-
tate values who would report to Con-
gress annually, beginning in December,
1891, the exact value of Federal and
private real estate in Washington.
Senator Jones emphasized that he
did not regard the relative value of
Federal and private property as the sole
basis upon which to decide the division
OF expenses. but recognized there were
other important factors to be taken
into account in fixing the Federal con-
tribution. He expressed the belief, how
ever, that the value Of the land was
one OF the prime factors, and that
II this could be accurately determined
each year, 1t would be helpful to Con-
gress, along with the other considera-
lions In reaching decision.
In the course Of the debate Senator
Swanson, Democrat, of Virginia, de-
plored the fact that the 60-40 law has
been ignored for a number of years in
writing the District appropriation bill
with lump-sum contribution.
I'VE have an annual controversy
over the District of Columbia BILL" Sem
ator Jones began. This has occurred
for several years and it is very deSir-
Gus to devise some means of avoiding
1t in future. 1t is injurious to the CITY
and vexatious to Congress.
1T has been proposed in some
quarters that a commission be created
to recommend the proportion that
should be followed by Congress between
the Federal and District Governments.
Judging by the past, that, it seems to
me, would be useless step. We had
such commission some years ago, that
carefully studied the problem and made
recommendation, and year or so
later that was abandoned"
Values Held Prime Factor.
Senator Jones declared that the value
OF the Federal and private property
in the District is q prime factor in
arriving at the ratio Of expense.
"Of course" Senator Jones explained,
there are many other questions be-
sides that, but they are of such q ma
ture that they could be settled on prin-
cipleS rather than on facts"
Senator Glass got into the debate at
this point to emphasize that this is
the Nations Capital and that 1t Is not
possible to determine that element of
the question on a business laSis. He
pointed out that all improvements here
have to be made on o monumental
basis.
Il agree entirely with the Senator
from Virginia" Senator Jones replied,
and what am proposing is not in
tended as a sole solution, but as one
Of the prime factors to be considered"
4.
considerable feeling his views on the
status of the pending controversy be-
tween the House and Senate, Senator
Jones again asserted that he had no
thought of proposing his resolution as
affecting the present situation.
Senator Swanson declared that the
60-40 ratio was the law, fixed by the
will of Congress, and that this law Is
being abrogated by the lump sum in
the appropriation bill.
Calls for Quorum.
Senator johnson, Republican, Of CAL
ifornia, in charge Of the river and har-
bors bill, called for the regular order,
and Senator FeSS, Republican, of Ohio,
suggested the absence of q quorum.
Senator Harrison, Democrat. of Mis-
siSsippi, wanted to know What need
there was for a quorum call when 1t
was apparent that there was a large
attendance of the Senate present. Sem
ator Fess said some members of the
Senate expected a quorum call, and he
pressed the request for such a call.
After the roll had been called for
absent members Senator Jones con-
cluded his explanation of the resolution.
II did not intend to open up the con-
troversy now pending" he said. What
had in mind was something looking to
the future. am quite hopeful the pres
ent controversy will be satisfactorily ad-
justed before Congress adjourns."
Would Provide Facts.
He said that obviously the commits
sion which he proposed could not make
an assessment in time for Congress next
December, but that after next year, his
resolution would give Congress definite
facts on this one phase Of the fiscal re-
lations.
Senator Barley, Democrat. of Ken
lucky, made the observation that II the
Federal property were not here the
private property would be worth little.
Senator Bingham, Republican, of
Connecticut, in charge of the pending
appropriation bill, took no part in the
discussion on the floor today, but he
stated of the floor that no word had
been received by the Senate confereeS
as yet from any sourc, indicating that
the House members were disposed to
consider a compromise between $9,000,-
900 and $12,000,000.
The papers relating to the bill are
on the clerks desk in the Senate In a
position where the Senate could ask
for a NV conference with the House,
but Senator Bingham has indicated that
he feels there should be some indica-
ton Of possible compromise If there
is TO be a new conference.
Statement Is Issued.
After the meeting the following state
ment was issued:
earto,,e eif vs,I,{oIa mould