Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-05
The Report on the Advance Bill.

cording to tenor or purpose.
The Report on the Advance Bill.
1t has been difficult for the progressive
citizens Of the District to understand on
what substantial ground the Commission
ers' bill to advance 100000 Of federal
money to the capital for twenty years Is
opposed. So well fortified IS it behind the
breastworks Of necessity and reason that
the local curiosity has been piqued rather
more sharply than usual. The only tangi-
bic explanation thus far vouchsafed has
been the plea Of the measures opponents
that they desire to keep the District "out
of debt" The fallacy Of that position has
been repeatedly shown by the demonstra-
ton that 1t is impossible to prevent the Dis
trict's mourning debts Of a far more serious
character than the mere owing of money to
the government, If the capital is forced to
pay for great permanent works out of cur
rent revenues. To this some Of those who
stand against the loan bill aver that the
Districts current needs will all be suff1
ciently cared for In the budget, even while
the cash payments for permanent works
are continuing. In the House the appro-
priation bill was defended by its trainers
on the ground that 1t met every real need
of the capital.
Today Chairman Babcock of the House
District committee fled his report on the
advance bill, Its substance appearing in
another part Of The Star. That document
Is direct refutation of the claim that the
current needs Of the District are or can be
met by the appropriation bill without re-
sorting to the long-term payment principle.
1t demonstrates that in virtually every
municipal department the capital needs ma
terial expansion today, and that this need
will grow more and more insistent as it Is
annually neglected. 1t holds to the propo-
sition that the Commissioners estimates
represented actual conditions and require
ments, and not an ideal Of municipal lavish
ness. For example, 1t is pointed out that in
the matter Of sidewalks for the suburbs
much larger funds should be provided at
once to enable the rapidly expanding city
to develop properly. Likewise the building
boom which Is giving Washington an en-
tirely new aspect calls for a much larger
force of inspectors than has been provided.
1t Is not desirable that the capital shall be
city Of mere shacks, unsafe for habita-
ton and certain to deteriorate in a few
years. Yet to prevent this result the Dis
trict has now only the means suitable for
q city of one-fourth the size and one-tenth
the Importance
These. however. are but sample details of
the showing made by the report as to the
pra ctical necessities. The document must
be read at length for a comprehensive idea
OF the solidity OF the argument which it
affords as to the Districts absolute re-
uuirements in the premises. The loan
project is Endorsed as business-like and
practical. as well as necessary. On this
point the report says:
Your committee believes that this is SIM
ply business proposition providing, as 1t
improvements, which have either been par
tally authorized by Congress or recognized
as being necessary In the near future, and
by placing the finances of the District on
permanent and equitable basis. thus reliev-
Ing the present unsatisfactory situation In
other municipalities Of the country when
improvements are authorized
1t Is customary to issue bonds to provide
the necessary funds, and to spread their
payment over term OF years..
The utter injustice Of the attempt to re-
quire the District to pay as 1t goes for its
heavy permanent works Is shown by the
fact, cited in the report, that the per capita
tax now levied on the local property owner
is s2.13 higher than the average levied in
eighteen cities having 100000 population
and over. Yet, despite this weight Of taxa
ton. the BILL as passed by the House. in
volved deficit of $342. 917.73 II the actual
needs Of the District are met. as those
needs are conservatively stated on the basis
Of the Commissioners most urgent recon-
mendauons. This deficit which, according
to report. Will be caused or even added to
by the Increases which the Senate Is pre-
t. H. a. l-&z
ests Of better municipal housekeeping. must
be met by federal advances. 1t will be due
solely to the policy Of forcing the District
to pay spot cash for it's great permanent
works, the cost Of which should be shared
by posterity. Any federal advance made on
a short-term basis merely to cover the an
nual deficiency is a makeshift device, bad
in business and inequitable to the citizens
OF the District.
Already taxed above the average of Amer
lean cities Of its own size and greater,
Washington can stand no more additions to
the tax burden. Yet 1t must be maintained
on the high plane Of municipal efficiency
required by great national capital. and 1t
must be developed as rapidly as possible
by the construction Of permanent works of
public utility. 1t cannot pay the cost of
both the current maintenance and these
heavy projects out of Its current revenues
Of the next few years. and 1t does not be-
lieve that it should in equity be forced to
do that which no other city is asked to do.
There is no escape from the recommended
ton. of this report that the pending great
works be financed by means of long-term
loan.
Mr.. Bowen is very ably endeavoring to
remove the European impression that this
country lacks diplomatic talent
Aguinaldo might get certificate and help
teach school If this idleness is becoming
irksome.