Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-15
MAYCOPYW ASHINGTON
OTTAWA STUDYING QUESTION OF
CIVIC IMPROVEMENT.

OTTAWA. Canada, November 15.-Com-
missioner Mcfarland last evening ad-
dressed q meeting at the Russell House.
under the auspices Of the Canadian Club
OF Ottawa, upon the history and govern
ment of Washington. The discussion in
Ottawa of a proposition to convert that city
into a federal district similar to- that OF the
District of Columbia led to an invitation
by the Canadian Club to Commissions
mcfarland to describe the District sys-
tenn. The interest caused a large attend
snce at the meeting. In the course OF the
address Mr.. mcfarland said:
Washington is not only a political capital
but it is an intellectual capital. with more
men In scientific work than any other city
and with about 5000 students In Its uni
sersities colleges and private schools, drawn
by its peculiar educational advantages from
all over the country. 1t Is not only most
attractive residence city. but II has a con-
siderable commerce. its banks having nearly
trebled their resources in the decade from
1895 to 1906
The taxpayers pay a reasonable but not
q high rate of taxation, about the average
per capita in American cities. Upon real
estate. assessed at two-thirds of It's value,
they pay S1.50 the hundred dollars.
Upon tangible personal property they pay
one and a half per centum OF the assessed
value. with a thousand dollar household ex-
emption and also an exemption of libraries,
heirlooms, wearing apparel and ornaments.
Corporations pay special taxes and busf-
ness license taxes. The rates are fixed by
Congress, the assessments made by assess
ors with right of appeal for the citizens be-
fore board of review.
District Revenues.
The total revenues for the fiscal year
ended June 30, 1906. from taxes on private
property and privileges, including an unex-
pended balance of S219 1881 from the fiscal
year ended June 80. 1905, were S5,313. 800 %.
Adding to this amount the proportion con-
tributed by the United States on its share
of the expenses of the government of the
District of Columbia. $5,621 ,6T5.Sl, besides
S6i6,42 ~ advanced by the United States
to the District at per cent interest, in ac-
corda1ce with law, to provide for the pay
ment OF the Districts share of the cost of
extraordinary improvements, makes the
total expense fund $11, 5S2,OSt4 The net
expenditures, for extraordinary improve
ment and current needs, for that year were
$11 i3I, G53.37, leaving an excess of St44,-
9S1.41 OF receipts, including loan, over ac-
tual expenditures.
During the present period of impo: tant
municipal and public improvements, begun
six years ago. including a railway term-
nal filtration plant, new sewage system
and District government building, 1t has
been necessary for Congress to aid the
District government by making temporary
advances from the national treasury, which
are being repaid with interest in order to
meet the Districts half of the cost of these
extraordinary improvements. All District
revenues are deposited in the United States
treasury and disbursed only on congress
sional appropriations. and all District ac-
counts audited by the national Treas
ury Department, as well as by the District
auditor
There are large plans for the physical i'm
provement of Washington, its extension and
establishment, for the betterment of it's
municipal services and for the improve
ment of its laws and customs, The Senti-
ment of the American people strongly
fayors these plans. 1t supports Congress in
everything ii does looking to the develop
ment of the capital. The time may come
when Congress will do what many outside
as we'll as within, the District of Columbia
desire, by providing whatever may be
needed in the way of money for the up
building and Identification of Washington,
without regard to the amount contributed
by the taxpayers except to see that it is
reasonable