Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-04
A Scathing Indictment.

A Scathing Indictment.
As witness before the special House
committee inquiring into matters con-
corning the fiscal relationship between
the Federal and the District govern
ments, Representative Simmons of Ne
braska casts grave aspersions upon the
Congress of the United States and in
cidentally upon the President with his
veto power and as represented by his
appointees, the Commissioners and the
Budget Bureau, that should be made
the subject of immediate investiga-
ton. Mr.. Simmons stated that there
has been no effort in Washington
to curtan expenses and develop proper
sources of revenue. 1.-THE efforts in
Washington" he is quoted as saying
"have at no time been to curtail ex-
penses or develop other sources of
revenue. The efforts have been to
get more money from the Federal
Treasury"
This matter should, it is repeated
be looked into by Congress. Congress
has sole legislative power in the District
of Columbia. Congress, and Congress
alone. is responsible for the amount of
money raised by taxation without rep
resentation from politically impotent
citizens of the District and for ex-
penditure of that money. Unlike the
citizens of other cities in the United
States, who may increase or curtail ex-
pendttures at will. Ak and develop
sources of revenue, the citizens of Wash
tngton are wholly dependent upon the
National Legislature for action in such
matters. If Congress has failed in its
responsibility to the citizens of WASH
ington and has not curtailed expenses
or developed proper sources of revenue,
let Congress be brought to book! Mr..
Simmons deserves the thanks of every
one for his fearless exposure.
Should the House take the initiative
and begin the investigation, the first
witness called should be the chairman
of the House Appropriations Commit
tee. He would presumably plead igno-
rance, as the details Of curtailing ex-
penses, ETC., in the District Of Columbia
are of necessity left to the Subcommit-
tee on District of Columbia Appropri-
atoms. The chairman Of this subcom-
mittee, charged with the failures al
legged by Mr.. Simmons, should be placed
on, the stand and Mr. Simmons should
be given the privilege Of developing his
charges through proper cross-examina-
ton. The taxpayers here take no part
In the Government which governs them,
have nothing to say regarding its choice,
have no rights Of other Americans be-
yond those OF petition and protest. But
as interested spectators on the side
lines, whose money is paying the mai
cost Of Capital maintenance and de-
velopment, they demand that Mr.. Sim
mons culprit be brought to justice.
In addition to Mr.. Simmons implica-
tons Of misfeasance on somebody's
part. his appearance as a witness and
the testimony of Representative Cram
ton of Michigan were valuable. in that
they indicate possible misconception
in the public mind regarding the ma
ture Of the inquiry now under way.
The investigation by this special
House Committee grew out Of the diff
ferences between House and Senate over
the amount Of the lump sum that would
represent fair and adequate contribu-
ton by the Federal Government toward
the American Capital, the House hold
ing out for $4,000 900 and the Senate
for $l2,oo0000. AS the end Of the ses-
sion precluded further debate, and as
the funds Of the dependent District
were already tied in a complex knot. a
compromise was reached on the lump
sum, and the House voted the inquiry
that now is taking place, which pre-
sumably. is intended TO discover pri-
marily what the amount of the lump
sum should be-
The general tenor of testimony yes
terday. however, indicates that the citi-
Gems Of the District of Columbia are to
60 on trial. the accusations. as outlined
in the opening statement of the prose-
cution, being tax-dodging, extravaganza,
opposing increasing taxes, maintaining
the most expensive school system in the
country, owning private property that
'does not add one dollar for utilitarian
purposes TO the Federal Government, .
attempting to raid the Treasury of the
United States and otherwise en3snger-
ing tho foundations Of government To
such an extent that Mr.. Simmons
warns the committee that the citizens
OF the United States '--who are repre-
sented in Congress by 435 Representa-
tives and 96 Senators-need protection
and somebody should be in the commit
tee room during the hearings to see
that they receive fair play when the de-
PENDANT takes the stand
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