Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-11
An Embarrassing Affair.


Simmons Of Nebraska addressed the
House for one hour On the subject Of
fiscal relations, and his remarks fol-
Low, In part:
On January II, 1929, I presented to
the House the report Of the Bureau Of
Emciency. :. This report was made
Madden, chairman Of the Committee on
Appropriations. The Bureau Of En-
cheney had but one instruction-to re-
port the facts to the Congress. Mr..
Madden believed that the Congress
knew the facts, believed that the Con-
gress was dealing not only justly, but
literally, with the District OF Colum-
hia. Various studies have here
tofore been made BY the members Of
this House. none of which were accept
able to those citiSens Of Washington
who In session and out constantly de.
rnarld more and more from the Federal
Treasury. The report from the bureau
was asked for In the hope that, IS an
Independent study. 1t might bring this
constant complaint against the Con-
gress TO an end. The report mas been
made. The report accepts as its basis
the premises heretofore outlined by Dis.
trict citizens Is the proper ones on
which 70 reach q decision-and from
that basis the report In its determine
don Of facts fully supports the position
heretofore taken and maintained BY the
House Of Representatives.
Mr.. Simmons then proceeded to an
analysis Of the bureaus methods, ex-
planning that these observations have
been made, not 20 much with the
thought of finding fault with the
bureau, as they have been with the idea
Of demonstrating that the report, to
say the least, IL not unfriendly to the
District and most certainly IL not biased
In favor Of the United States" He con-
Guided bis discussion Of the report in
these words:
Clearly, the report establishes that
plan Of contribution. y the proper one,
and clearly the report establishes the
fact that the present contribution 10
simple and generous 10 the District.
The report, while favorable to the Dis
tFtct In every basis Of calculation
clearly supports the position taken and
maintained BY the House Of Repre-
sentatives
Mr.. Simmons did not attack the fair
ness Of the report. although he exer-
cised the uncuesticned privilege Of dis
senting In part from some Of the meth
DDS used In ths eport-naethods, BY
the way, that have never been advo-
Gated by the District Of Columbia. His
conclusion, however, was that the bu-
reau report amply JUSTIFIED the House
point of view regarding the amount Of
Federal appropriations for thu District
since that report was made the House
has ordered and 4 now pursuing an
other inquiry. The inquiry was ordered
in the closing hours Of Congress last
July and mentioned specifically the Bu-
reau Of Eficiency a. one Of the agencies
that might assist.
Now the Bureau Of Endciency's 1879
report was based on estimated figures
81 population. which for the most part
were much higher than actual popu-
lAtion figures determined IN the 1880
census. It's estimated Assessment" Of
Government holdings for 1919 has been
materially increased since then by
actual purchases Of much property.
During the long, dry Summer, therefore,
the Bureau Of Efaciency proceeded to
bring It's findings up-to-date. It went
further, and instead Of merely sua-
costing certain additional computations,
worked them out 10 show the House
committee how thsy would look on
paper. 1t then waited With its revised
report until Chairman Mapes Of the
House committee invited It's present&-
ton. It's presentation was accompanied
by lengthy examination by the COM
nittee Of Mr.. Murphy, assistant chief
Of the bureau, who explained the
methods Of computing the financial re-
spon&ibility Of the Federal Government
and the comparison Of tax rates.
In the House on Friday last the Fiscal
Inquiry Committee sought and obtained
$4,000 from the contingent fund Of
the House with which to engage the
services Of tax experts Of its own choos-
ing and the following references were
made TO the bureaus latest report:
Mr.. FTear-- We have had many
expert tax man before Us representing
enc side Of this question. We have also
run up against what u known Is the
Bureau Of Efficiency.
MI 04AAAoNt4--SO CAAlCQ.
Mr.. Frear-They have made q report,
or substantial report, on District af-
fairs to this effect: Through their ex-
perts-and they have many Of them who
serve them and whose work was pre-
seK1ted before this commtttee-they have
proposed as an onset on the part of the
District against the United States to the
extent Of $500, 900 900 In property be-
longing to the Federal Government, be-
cause OF the Capitol Building and all Of
the other public buildings which be-
long 70 the Federal Government, except
ing only, believe, the Washington
Monument, and q bridge across the Po-
tofnac River. That is all they have
excepted.
mn. Byrns-The gentleman stated in
reply TO the gentleman from Mississippi
CMr. Collins that his select committee
did not request the Bureau Of Efficiency
y make an investigation. Has not the
gentleman some idea IS to who did re-
ptcture7 That u q Government agency
and I would Ike to know how they came
into the picture.
Mr.. Frear-I do not know, except ]
am iSatisfled the committee was IN nc
way responsible for IL. They were called
before US because they had made THU
report, and on the request Of some In
oixdual or agency, assume.
Mr.. Byrns-How did the Bureau Of
Efaciency get into the pictlre7
Mr.. Frear-They were called before
Mr.. Frsar-An can say to my col.
league Is that the report 81 the Bureau
Of Emcieney was not asked for by oul
committee, but It has embarrassed u
very much because It contains conclu-
eiofs not supported by recognized ta1
anthoetties. either In ts assumption q