Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-07
The Judson Bill.

According to the present program, Inc
so-called Judson bill for financing the
District of Columbias permanent I'M
movements and funding its Indebtedness
will he considered tomorrow by the House
District committee. After full CONSUL
GRAFTON of this measure. the citlzehS ol
the District are convinced that 1t Is wise.
They have expressed their approval Ill
strong terms through various organiza-
tjons and at tomorrows hearing 'he
voice of the District will dountiess ne
heard in an emphatic request that TINS
propostion be enacted into law III of"ei
that the anomalous condition no" al
fecting the National Capital municipality
may be terminated.
The Judson bill has certain merlts winch
were clearly stated at the meeting Oh Tue
Board of Trade in March at which 1t was
unanimously approved. These merits were
recited as follows in the special report Oh
the committee on municipal finance, pre-
scented by Col. George Truesdeh:
First. its simplicity.
Second that II avoids further advances
BY the United States or further increase
of the District debt
Third, that it provides certain and
easy way for gradually extinguishins the
entire debt within thirty years -
Fourth, that it provides amply Tor All
needs current and eXtraordinar!; anu '1i
lars in the appropriations Tor all pur-
poses.
Fifth that with the knowledge for
several years in advance OF approximately
the amount that will be available each
year. the Commissioners and the commit
ices Of Congress- can work out more eco
uomicai aud better digested plans for all
important works.
satisfactory settlement of a most unsat-
isfactory and disturbing financial situa-
ton and place the financial AFFAIRS OF the
District upon a safe, certain ana perMa-
neut basis.
In its fundamental principle the Judson
plan Is in accordance with the sound doc
trine of municipal economics that cur
rent revenues should not be applied. save
OIL a Iong-term basis. for the payment OF
the cost of large permanent improve
ments. 1t separates the two classes OF
expenditures, those for the regular up
keep of the municipal organization and
those for the execution of large works
which will be chiefly beneficial to the citi-
zens Of the future. The chief objection
of the District taxpayer to the plan which
has been pursued for several years by
Congress Is that too large percentage
of each local tax dollar is applied on the
account of permanent works. and that
consequently the current maintenance
funds are reduced below the point of
actual necessities.
The Judson plan recognizes the utility
Of municipal debt and at the same time
provides for its extinguishment. Its chief
advantage Is that 1t postpones the re-
payment for the floating Indebtedness in
CURED through the granting of federal
advances to the District for several years
past. shifting to the taxpayers of future
years an equitable share of the burden of
these large expenditures. 1t will pro-
vide. though with the disadvantage Of
setting aside a fixed amount annually
for that purpose. for yearly additions on
the. permanent Improvement account, in
pursuance of a stated program of local
betterments.
a favorable report on this measure by
the District committee to the House should
follow tomorrows exposition of the bill,
so that, If not at this session, Congress
may next year enact this measure into
Law.