Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-28
Not a Case of Running Into Debt.

Not a Case of Running Into Debt.
The argument against the national add
vance proposition has resolved itself into
the questions: why unnecessarily run into
debt? Why not economically pay as we go
instead of loading down ourselves and pos
terity with the heavy burden of extrava-
CANT obigations?"
The answer to these questions at once
suggests itself. This is not a case of run
ming into debt, unnecessarily or otherwise
The bulk of the debt which the advance Is
to meet is already contracted. The expen-
diture proposed is almost entirely absorbed
in obligations to which the District is al
ready committed. The filtration plant Is
authorized and under way. The compre-
hensive system of sewerage has been adopt
ed by Congress- and expenditures under this
head are merely the gradual and painfully
delayed working out of a plan perfected
years ago. The District has been commit
ted since 1901 to the disbursements in con-
nection with the railroad terminal improve
ments and the highway bridge across the
Potomac. Site and plans for the municipal
building have been secured. beginning
has been made in the reclamation of the
Anacostia flats. The District is already
committed to these and other wise, perma-
nent municipal Improvements. 1t Is al
ready, in effect, in debt for the expendi-
lures necessary to complete and perfect
them, and the real question is not whether
we shall run in debt but how shall we pay
our debt already contracted? Shall 1t be
paid exclusively by the taxpayers of the
next three or four years who will enjoy
none of the completed improvements for
which payment is to be made, or shall the
taxpayers of the next twenty years con-
tribute, thus causing those who will enjoy
the pure, filtered water, and the fine mu-
nicpal building, and the completed sewer
age system and the absence of grade cross
ings to participate in the expense Of secur-
ing these municipal necessities?
Shall the taxpayers of the next three
years bear all the burdens of these i'm
provements in order that the taxpayers of
subsequent years, who reap all the bene-
fits, may contribute nothing? Our local
taxes have just been heavily increased.
Shall this excess of taxation be expended
to meet ungent current needs SO that some
benefits from it may be enjoyed by those
from whom it Is exacted, or shall the ex-
tortion of more money from the present
taxpayers be accompanied by an absolute
cutting down of the provision for current
needs and the diversion of the excess rev.
enues to pay for extraordinary improve
ments to be enjoyed solely and without ex-
pense by succeeding taxpayers and pos
terity?
1t Is said that if the District secures this
advance by running into debt" extrav
agant expenditures will be rendered possible
and encourag ed. After the policy of fed
eral advance for extraordinary permanent
Improvements has been adopted no project
can be paid for from this fund which has
not previously run the gauntlet Of the con-
gressional appropriation committees and
survived. We all Indignantly protest
against the insinuation that the appropria-
ton committees of the House and Senate
will yield to the temptation to extrava-
gance. and will be swept from their posi-
ton as protectors of the treasury merely
by the legislative opportunity to provide
for certain extraordinary local public
works without injuriousy cutting into the
Districts current maintenance appropria-
lions. If there were by any possibility the
slightest danger of this weakness and de-
generacy on the part of some other appro-
priations committees than those which now
so zealously guard the Districts revenues
against all SPECTATORS except Uncle Sam
himself, the District would be saved by the
fact that the bulk of the expenditure to
be met by this advance has already been
approved by the people of the District and
authorized by Congress, and the most ex-
travagant appropriations committee could
ind very little opportunity to do the COM
munfty injury by wasting a fraction of the
remnant of the proposed fund. And If Con-
gress distrusts itself or its successors it
can obviate- all danger whatsoever by spec
lying the improvements to be paid for
from the advance fund, and the amount
to be expended on each Of the selected
public works.
1t Is not customary among municipalities
to offend common sense and the spirit of
fair play in the fashion proposed by the
cash payment plan. The habit is to aiiust
the tax burden approximately to the bene-
fits, and by bond issue or in some other
way to make future tax payers share the
expense OF public works which they are
most largely to enjoy.
The local taxpayers, with practical unan-
unity, petition for this method of disburs-
Ing their taxes and of meeting the cost of
municipal improvements Public opinion
should Prevail, even though in the national
capital 1t may be only indirectly indicated.
The wishes of those who put up the tax
money should have some weight in de-
the IntlHOu OF It's expenditure.
The immediate cash payment plan of
meeting the Districts debt for extraordi-
nary improvements is illogical and un-
wise, violating every principle of equity
and SOUND business policy. It Is repudi-
ated as offensive by local public opinion
and by the custom of intelligent munich
palities. 1t Is grossly unjust to the tax
payers of the present and immediate future.
depressing the men of today for the benefit
of posterlty. 1t is injurious to the munich
pality, checking its development and pros
porous growth and menacing it's welfare at
a vital point.
Prince Henry of Prussia may yet feel
compelled to make another visit to this
country to convey the personal assurance
that Germany is still friendly.
Fortunately the existence OF The Hague