Evening star., 1937-01-10
HOUSE D. c. BODY
TO BEGIN ACTION
'0N FISCAL REPORT
First battle-ground Chosen.
"a Proposed Statute
Changes Involved.
GLASS AND THOMAS
CRITICIZE FINDINGS
Believe Roosevelt Committee Ex.
ceeded Inquiry's Intent by
Wide Margin.

The House District Committee was
selected yesterday as the first con-
gressional battle-ground for the VOL
luminous report of President Roose-
velt's special Federal-District Fiscal
Relations Investigating Committee.
House leaders gave the District
Committee the job of considering the
merits Of the report because it contains
"a proposals involving changes in ex-
iSting laws-changes that would abol-
ih the statutory 6o-40 basis of fiscal
relations between the Federal and
District governments and constitute a
new three-point formula for deter
mining the division of expenses.
The committee chairman, Repre-
sentative Norton, Democrat of New
Jersey, received the report reluctantly.
From a cursory examination of the
proposed new fiscal policy, she be-
lieves. she said, it would be decidedly
unfair to the District.
Report Is Criticized.
Meanwhile, on the other side Of the
Capitol, Senator Thomas of Oklahoma,
head of the subcommittee on District
appropriations, joined with Chairman
Glass Of the Appropriations Commits
tee in voicing the belief the report
went beyond the intent of the inquiry
by covering subjects other than the
question of the amount of the Federal
payment toward the annual expenses
Of the city.
This group" said Senator Thomas,
was not appointed to tell the people
Of the District how they should be
governed, and they were appointed for
one purpose, namely, to determine
whether the Federal contribution was
fair and If not, in what respects it
was unfair"
Earlier yesterday, Senator Glass,
commenting on the report, had said
they seem to have exceeded the
proper function designed by the act
Of Congress. We simply asked for a
report as to what was, in their judg.
naent, after thorough investigation. a
fair proportion Of the District expenses
that should be assumed by the Federal
Government"
Comment of Glass.
Senator Glass added that I'VE did
not ask them to go into the question
of suffrage, either local or general, or
any kindred subject"
Also discussing the report, Senator
Nye, Republican. of North Dakota,
who has served on the District Appro-
priations Subcommittee for a number
of years, said: II am amazed at their
evident findings, and intend to study
the report thoroughly"
Both Thomas and Glass are re-
framing from any comment at this
time on the detailed proposals in the
report to abolish the Federal lump-
sum payment, and substitute a formula
for measuring the value Of services
which either the Federal or District
government renders to the other.
In place of the s5,000,000 Federal
lump sum for the current year, the
amount estimated as reimbursement
to the District next year under the
new formula is only S2.533, BAT, which
included increased assessments on local
property owners and from proposed
new fees on non-reSidents using
schools and libraries.
Suggests Analysis.
Senator Thomas has suggested that
District officials and local organiza-
tions analyze the report thoroughly
and present their conclusions to his
subcommittee when the time comes to
consider the District supply bill later
in the session.
Because of the reports vital effect
on the District, Chairman Norton has
given it preferred status on the
House District Committees program
for the present session of Congress.
She said it would be the first matter
taken up by the committee after its
organization.
Indications are the committee or
ganization will be completed in the
next few days. All Mrs. Norton is
waiting on is for the House to I'LL
existing vacancies on her committee
and select substitutes for those menu
bers who have asked for assignments
on other committees. If that is done
before Wednesday, the committee
(See FISCAL. PAGE A-5l