Evening star., 1902-01-31
Local Taxation.


due in part to the fact that heavy pay
ments have been unwisely made from the
current revenues upon permanent inn
proyements. benefiting future generations
more than the taxpayers of the present;
and In part to the fact that in violation
of the organic act large expenditures from
the current revenues have been made on
street extensions solely at the local ex-
pense-
The logical remedy for the first cause
of distress is to remove all except a just
share of the expense of permanent i'm
proyements from the current revenues and
to provide for such works by an advance
from the national treasury, to be repaid
under a sinking fund arrangement. The
logical remedy for the disastrous conse-
quences Of violation of the organic act is
to make amends for the injustices of the
past. and to act equitably in the decisions
OF the present as pledge of fair play
for the future.
What is the remedy, which is in fact
proposed and pushed? Not relief of cur
rent revenues from the drain Of permanent
improvements or from unjust exactions in
violation of the organic act, but increase
of those current revenues by additional
taxation and increased assessments. In
stead Of stopping the leaks, the barrel is
rehlled. Instead of removing blood-suck-
ers from the body of their victim, more
blood is to be injected into the latter's
veins.
There is no opening and improvement of
streets In connection with so-called street
extension. The land should be secured
now. because 1t can be had more cheaply
and with a larger percentage of donations
than at any time in the future. But the
benefits of street extension will not be en-
5oyed until that time in the future when
the streets are opened, improved and ready
for public use. The local taxpayers of the
present should not pay even their half of
the cost Of such extensions from the cur
rent revenues. The future beneficiaries
Should participate in this burden. And, of
course, the United States should under the
organic act bear its share of the expense.
There is not the slightest indication of
intent even to consider the question of
wiser and juster apportionment of street
extension expenditures. On the contrary, in
the case of 10th street the local taxpayers
are to pay 50 per cent instead of half of
the total cost, and no one in the Districts
legislature proposes national participation
In bearing this burden. There is not even
legislation proposed providing a national
advance to meet street extension require
ments. The current revenues are to pay,
and are to pay all, and additional taxation
Is to grind out of local property owners the
means to make these payments.
The District complains that its current
revenues are diverted to pay exclusively
and illegally an Indebtedness In which the
United States should share. Instead of a
correction of this outrage, the capital is
notified in effect by the chairman of the
House appropriations committee that in
the future the District will be expected to
contribute toward works heretofore paid
for exclusively at national expense, such
as the public buildings national memorials
and architectural embellishments of the
public reservations proposed by the park
Commission And more local taxes to swell
the current revenues will doubtless be
necessary for this purpose.
In the light of these acts, omissions and
declarations 1t is perfectly evident that the
District is not now considering the scien-
tifc adjustment of its tax burden as be-
tween real and personal property and as
between individuals. corporations and Ii
censed occupations but is being pushed
into an enlargement OF its tax burden to
meet exactions which the local taxpayers
ought not to be called upon to bear.
We are told that 1t is impolitfc to men,
ton these disaSreeable matters in a COM
planning or reproachful vein to Congress;
that our legislators will be irritated If we
cry out. We must guess at what Congress
Will insist upon doing and then, whether It
Is right or wrong. We must scrupulously re-
train from suggesting anything else. The
Districts financial troubles are due to Just
such timid trucking in the past The cap-
ital has never secured any consideration
whatsoever which was not frankly and
eouraseously and persistently asked. There
has never been a Congress of such small
ca1bre as to punish the District for the
boldness of its advocacy of its own inter
tests Congress needs to be irritated to the
point Of looking into and learning local
conditions and needs. Being once interest
ed and informed. It will not, The Star is
convinced, perpetuate injustice.
Mr. Carnegie's remarks in connection
With his donation for an educational insti-
tuition We're brief and to the point MIR.