The Washington times., 1933-02-14
Folly and Prejudice
Parents of District Funds Bill

In reporting pending appropriation bill for 1884
the District subcommittee of the House Appropriations Com
ittee has erected dahe folly and prejudice
Legislative onstrose emerged from committees be-
fore and probably will again. but it is doubtful any other
committee had will have the idea of curtang
operating improvement appropriations and increasing taxes
while pile of millions of dollars accumuates in tie Treasury
House. defense its and reputation should
promptly repudate this thoroughly stupid BILL either rewriting
it completely on the floor or sending back the committee
with instructions which will not be stencil
in the nostrils of right thinking
The bill reported abounds in inconsistencies and eglsa
tive faacies difficult to anayze them calmly
On the matter of hungry and destitute citizens
District bill berays the caouness and hearessness
of the subcommittee members.
Everyone connected with familiar with the conditions of
the needy knows $625 minimum upon which the
relief bureau function during the first six months Of the
coming fiscal year.
But the committee entirely dsregards all evidence this
matter cody fixes the relief item at ndetermnate and In
adequate sum- proceeds unnecessarily
in order to provide that
While other sections of the bill send flow unobgated
gold the Treasury the committee that special tax
necessary before any money can be spent on relief
shows woeu lack appreciation of the needs here when
It reports that conditions in Washington bad in
cities That entirely aside from the point which is:
that the committee had granted the full request of relief
workers. families of four members would still be trying to sub
siSt $3.50 week.
The relief item the principal foies in the bill as
reported
The prejudice displayed arranty in the handling Of
the fiscal relations item and the general financial aspects OF the
measure.
The committee that the Federal share of the cost
Of the District government be limited to $6,5O00OO
It advances no legitimate for this figure.
T only explanation that lis in harmony with the policy
adopted by the House in adopting the Mapes bills
committee entirely overlooks the fact that subsequent to
the Mpes bills the House. the House approved
conference report the current District appropriation Dill
which fixed the Federal of the burden $77500
If the committee states the action the Mape bills eab
hed the policy Of the House, its later action on the conference
report certainly altered that policy.
Despite this curtament of the Federal Governments Just
share expenses the National Capital the committee has
drawn bill which by the end of the fiscal year would give
the District surplus slightly than $5oooooo
The savings which bill would effect would be at the ex
pens functions and at the cost OF dis
missing many employees of the local administration throwing
them into the lines of those needing the relief which the com
" mittee refuses to give
those savings reflected in tax reductions there might
be of the bills philosophy
they will be reflected in nothing but useless Treasury
surplus surplus which ultimately will be used to give the
District another white elephant such the barren site for
the proposed $220o0O00 municipal center.
Probably fitting eptaph could be written for the en-
tire bill than the of the fact that Representative
Robert G. Simmons, in disgust dscamed responsibility
for it.