Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-17
The Growing District Revenues.

If the DISTRICTS finances were On al
equitable basis there would be reason tor
qualification in the estimate of the as
SCISSOR that the local tax revenues during
the fiscal year 1912 will be over $7,OOO,OOO,
nearly $500 600 more than was received
during the fiscal year 1910. just closed.
Such an increase. under a system of To-
cal appropriations based upon principles
of equity and good business management,
would insure to the local administration
an allotment Of current maintenance
funds commensurate with the needs OF
the various departments. Matched dollar
for dollar with federal money this would
mean 100000 more to spend in the up
keep of the District But unfortunately
there is reason to apprehend that Con-
gress, unless it changes its policy in this
respect, will regard the addition to the
local revenues as an opportunity TO re-
funo the floating debt more rapidly. In
other words. il the present policy of ap-
proprialions is maintained the District
citizens of today are not likely to obtain
the benefit of their increased tax pay
ments in the form Of a more efficient mu-
nicipal system.
The District is now paying off its float
ing debt more rapidly than any other city.
nat uCpt, tHCt AiolSb Ia hoS
representative Of an emergency. of money
borrowed to meet an exceptional condi-
ton. but stands for a permanent invest
ment in large public works. The objects
for which the money was spent are
financed in other cities by long-term
loans. In the refunding of which the tax
payers OF many years cooperate. The
District is unique in that its people are
cd 70 hot &c Ioc,
a cash basis for their permanent improve
ments that. are designed to benefit pos
terity as we'll as the present generation.
Under the present system Of short-term
refunding, with no amount fixed as the
Districts annual Repayment on federal
money advanced for large works, tue
District suffers In respect to both it's cur
rent maintenance and the Inauguration of
new large projects of Improvement. Con-
sress is indispAsed to appropriate liber-
ally for the upkeep Of the District, for
the support OF the schools. the police and
fire departments, the maintenance of an
efficient sanitary protective service, ETC.,
owing to Its desire to save as much as
possible from the local tax revenues for
the refunding of the federal advances. At
the same time it is equally indisposed to
as the installation Of high pressure nre
service, the Improvement of the water
front. additions to the public school build
ing equipment and the reclamation of
alley courts, inasmueh as it regards all
these works, according to its present
view, as proper charges upon the current
funds.
The District hopes from year to year
Tor the adoption of scheme OF finance
Tor 1t that is based upon the long-term
repayment principle. such a plan, for in
stance, as that devised by Commissioner
Judson and already laid before Congress
IN the form of carefully considered BILL
1t is Obvious that unless such action is
taken soon the District will have accu-
mulated heavy arrears of permanent inn
provement items which are urgently
needed at this time. When the present
series of repayments has been competed
similar problem will present itself, and
the District thus faces the prospect of
continuing for an indefinite period on
short rauons in Its current maintenance
while Its tax revenues are increasing
rapidly. The hope remains that Congress
VIII next winter see the justice of the
Districts plea for an equitable adjust
ment without further delay.