Evening star., 1911-08-08
A Camel's Nose of Legislation.

A few davs ago Senator Curtis introduced
q bill 10 authorize the Commissioners Of
the District to collect an annual rental
for vault privileges granted in public
space. This bill was drawn and submit
ted 10 the acting chairman of the Senate
District committee by the Commissioners
themselves. and represents therefore, an
official project. the responsibility for
which rests entirely upon the local au-
tnorities. They advance two reasons for
the enactment of this legisa ton. which
Is OF nature TO be vigorously opposed
nv every business interest in Wash
ington. and. indeed. every citizen who
thonghtfully considers the question Of
District finances. One reason is that
the Commissioners have difficulty in re
covering from the owners of property
abutting which vaults have been con-
structed under the sidewalks. in cases
where damages have been obtained by
suit from the District for personal in
juries caused by these private projec-
tions and constructions The other rea-
son. more seriously to be considered. is
that the Commissioners feel that this is
an appropriate method OF raising addi-
tional revenue from the District OF Co
lunlbia.
come from those who are supposedly rep
resenting the District people, but who, in
this instance. appear to be animated
chiefly by a desire to impose an un-
necessary burden upon them. The excuse
about difficulties over damage recoveres
is trifing. The Commissioners can easily
secure a better adjustment of response
blity than the imposition of a burden
are in the nature of development enter
prises making for the general betterment
Of business. and consequently the ad-
vancement of the community welfare
The real reason for this proposed legisla-
ton Is that for some inscrutable purpose
the Commissioners are endeavoring to
increase the local taxation The Dis
trict at the present time needs no addi-
ional tax revenues. If its expenditures
for large permanent improvements were
placed on an equitable basis of long term
refunding the money that is now raised
by taxes would amply suffice for all
legitimate purposes.
II is amazing to find the Commission
ers proposing to mulct the property own
ers who have built vaults under the side
walks on terms of an equal division of
the general government. Why should
such plan emanate from the District
building? The District citizens are rem
dered uneasy by such an exhibition of
initiative in that quarter. Is cam
paign to be started Of new taxes for the
purpose of tightening the load now borne
by the federal government under the act
OF 1878? Is the proposed sidewalk vaults
tax only one of series OF new modes of
getting money from the already heavily
taxed Washingtonian? The Commission
ers' letter accompanying the bill to the
Senate would seem to indicate that 1t is
They say that they are not prepared at
this time 10 recommend the taxing OF
other projections than vaults which
means that they contemplate a future
recommendation OF taxes upon bay win
dows, front porches and steps. If the
prospect opened is realized through con-
gressional acquiescence in this distinctly
anti-District policy of taxation which OBJ
tains in the Offices OF the Commission
ers. the average District property owner
will be soon one OF the most heavily
burdened In the United States, and pos
sibly TO the end of an ultimate with
drawal by the United States from its
present participation in the expenses of
National Capital maintenance. The time
is now at hand for a strong and de-
ternined fight against this unwarranted
scheme OF unnecessary taxation.