Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-04-13
MRS. NORT0NH|TS
HOUSE PROPOSAL
FOR D. c. INQUIRY
Sees mo Good Reason" for
Spending $4,000,
She Says.
NEW TAX BILLS STUDY
is POSTPONED AGAIN
Collins Pushes Restoration of Sum
for Survey When Bill
Reaches Senate.

Chairman Norton of the House Dis
trlct Committee moved today to pre-
vent an impending controversy over
plans for spending $4,000 or $4,000
for an investigation of the municipal
government-plans which have threat
ened to delay study of the Collins
tax bills
Mrs. Norton said she saw no good
reason" for saddling such an expense
on the District to hire another expert
to make a report that probably would
be strapped
Meanwhile, Chairman Kennedy of
the House District Subcommittee, ap-
pointed to study the Collins bills and
the proposed reorganization of the
DISTRICT government, again postponed
until tomorrow at pm. an organiza-
ton meeting Of his group.
Mrs. Norton'S opposition developed
as Chairman Collins of the House
Subcommittee on District Appropria-
tons made arrangements to have re-
stored in the 1888 supply bill an item
of $4,000 for use of the Commits
sloners in making the proposed survey.
This item was eliminated by the House
on a point of order but Collins hopes
TO have it replaced by the Senate
Subcommittee on District Appropria-
tons.
Kennedy Seeks Expert.
Kennedy is seeking $4,000 to ap-
n01nf aYnert n oScicf hi cub
mlttee. He had planned to give this
job to William A. Roberts, former
peoples counsel.
Collins, however, has expressed the
opinion that the expert should be an
outsider" who has never had any
connection with the District govern
ment. George Lord, Detroit tax ex-
pert, who assisted the special Mapes
Committee of the House with its fiscal
relations study some years ago, is I'M
derstood to be Collins choice. Lord
recently aided the Appropriations
Subcommittee with its study of the
Jacobs fiscal relations plan and as
sisted Collins with the preparation of
his tax bill.
Il see no good reason to saddle
a $4,000 or $4,000 expense on the
District" Mrs. Norton declared, when
the Jacobs report, costing $4,000,
was thrown out of the window. I am
not criticizing the Appropria tions
Subcommittee for its action, but mere
ly stating fact.
That survey was made by people
outside the District. It would seem
like common sense not to employ an
other person outside the District at a
cost to the taxpayers of $4,000 or
$4,000 in order to throw another re-
port out of the window I cannot
understand why we need $4,000 to
get the necessary help. I should say
$4,000 would be ample for extra clerk
hire.
Believes Data Sufficient.
Il feel members of Mr.. Kennedy's
subcommittee have sufficient material
in the Jacobs report and also in the
report of the MapeS committee to as
sist them in their task. I have tull
confidence that the subcommittee will
do good job without spending ar
other $4,000 or $4,000. We have
the Commissioners, the Corporation
Counsel, the Director of the Budget,
the Board of Public Welfare. the
Health Officer, the Board OF Educa-
ton and many other heads of de-
partments who are paid by the Dis
trict and are deeply interested in the
welfare Of the District who could be
of assistance. Surely their know
ledge would be more helpful to the
subcommittee than the academic
opinions of many outsiders.
"As see the matter the important
thing before the subcommittee now Is
to provide the 100000 necessary to
make up the deficit in the 1898 ap-
preparation bill. The other matters
are not pressing and careful study
should be made between now and the
next session of Congress to determine
just what reorganization is necessary
to improve the District Government. "
Before the Kennedy subcommittee
begins the study of the tax bills
Collins said he would introduce the
ninth bill in his series for raising addi-
tional revenue. Eight Of the bills al
ready are before the subcommittee.
The final measure, it was said, will be
designed to make uniform and revise
upward the tax on public utility
corporations.