Evening star., 1930-06-17

BILE question" Mr.. Griffin said that he
had gone carefully into the financial
complexities Of the situation between
the Federal and District governments,
and that the one point to be accentuat-
ed is that there is a law on the statute
books that the contribution by the Fed
eral Government shall be 40 per cent of
the cost OF District government and
that that law has been evaded.
Representative Collins, Democrat. of
Mississippi, challenged Mr.. Griffin with
the statement that the $4,000, 600 pro-
vision under the Holman rule is Just as
much law as the 40 per cent provision
Representative Griffin charged that
the House is multiplying an act of Con-
gress. He declared that no one has
ever fixed by careful study what the
proportion to be paid by the Federal
Government should be, and that this
should be placed on a definite scientific
ratio. He supported the Moore reSolu-
tion for fact-finding study and said
that matter Of such importance should
not be dominated by few men in the
House. All / am appealing for,,' said
Mr.. Griffin, lis fair play"
Chairman Smell of the rules COM
mittee declared that he desired to dis
abuse the opinions created by news
papers that this is a personal fight by
Mr.. Simmons, and declared that Mr..
Simmons truly and fairly represents the
majority of the House and the average
American citizen.
Smell Wants Fine City.
He said his personal intention and
desire is to spend all that is necessary
to make Washington the finest city
In the world, and that, he would ad-
vocate assessing the people reasonable
taxes and then for the Federal Gov
ernment to pay whatever else might be
needed. He insisted that the people
here are paying the lowest tax rate and
enjoying greater advantages than else
where.
While it is claimed that Washington
Is not q business center, that the big
geSt and best business in the world is
located here, with steady and inereas-
ing pay roll. I'VE are doing all that
Is fair and we are not going to do
any more at the present time" he in
sisted
Representative Crisp, Democrat of
Georgia expressed admiration and SYM
pathy for Mr.. Simmons, who, he said,
is fearlessly performing his public
duty" Mr.. Crisp reminded his COL
leagues that he originally introduced
the bill to repeal the act of 1878 pro-
relations.
He reviewed the extension and de-
Velopment of the city in recent years
and said that he is inclined to believe
that a $4,000 900 contribution now is
too much. Representative Moore imme-
diately suggested that since there was
disagreement as to whether $4,000 900
Is too little or too much it would
be only fair to have a fact-finding study
tn At ina yuYlnA R- Aa~
Federal participation.
Representative Cramton, Republican,
of Michigan, who was acting chairman
OF the House subcommittee on District
appropriations when the SO, 600 900 lump
sum was adopted told his colleagues
that the House has not been proceeding
In an unfriendly manner towards the
District, but that recently $500, 900
for improvement in the National Capital
have been authorized. He declared that
his lump sum plan has worked so we'll
that important public works and i'm
provements have been carried out with
out increasing the tax rate.
Representative Grimm asked Mr..
Cramton to tell the House just how "the
magic figure Of $4,000 900" was arrived
at.
Representative Frear, Republican, of
wisconsin also took a crack at Wash
mgCon newspapers by charging them
with "browbeating" members of Con-
gress He appealed for an income tax.
an inheritance tax and a tax on intan-
gible property TO be levied and collected
IN the District Of COLUMBIA.
Wood Praises Simmons.
Chairman Wood of the House appro-
priations committee declared that Rep
resentative Simmons is entitled to the
commendation OF every fair-minded per-
son. He described Mr.. Simmons atti-
tude in the conference with the Senate
on the fiscal relations provision as one
OF readiness to compromise IL they
would give him one reason why the
change should be made. Mr.. Wood
said, We are contributing from the
Federal Treasury to the District of CO.
lumbla more than is fair, and proof of
that Is shown in the tax rate, which is
the lowest in any municipality in the
Union, and that TO increase the Fed
eral contribution would be to Justify A
reduction In the tax rate" He also paid
his respects To the Chamber OF Com |
merce and to all the newspapers for
advocating that more Federal money be |
given to the District without regard to |
the taxpayers OF the country