Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-12
Last Years. Suit.

In respect to the District of Columbia.
Congress is municipal and state legisla-
.ture. apportioning available revenues
10 meet wisely the expanding needs
of the municipality. Washington is a
developing city. II Is growing steadily
in population and business. Each year
there is an increase of the taxable prop
erty and a corresponding increase in the
tax revenues under the influence of
fixed rate and system of regular reas-
sessments to establish a taxation basis
in proportion TO the real value. Accom-
panying this increase in means is an In
crease in municipal needs. requirement
for more schools. more policemen. more
fremen. more sewers. more pavements.
larger and better paid administrative
force-in short. a wide range of necessi-
ties accompanying the increase of means.
II Is the function of the local leSisla-
ture to take into account the growing
revenues and the growing needs of the
community and TO apportion the taxes
as a whole. taking the increases into ac-
count. among the needs in way to ben
eft and develop the municipality most
effectively. 1t Is absurd to intimate that
every betterment suggested as necessary
TO meet the conditions Of the growing
municipality can be denied without a
cramping and injurious effect.
In its restrictive treatment by the
House from year TO year in the matter
of appropriations the District presents
the figure of growing youth denied
clothing adapted to his frame. Thus the
House would hand the capital munich
pality a suit this year of the same size
as last year. or even smaller. With
wrists protruding from the coat cuffs,
with knees exposed by upstretching
knickerbockers, with waistcoat failing to
make connection with the lower part of
the costume, with coat tightly stretched
across an expanding chest and straining
at buttons, the developing District pre-
sents sorry figure after il has been fit
ted out by the House appropriations COM
mittee according to the measurements
and style laid down by the latest bill to
come from that body. The tendency of
such a policy Is to subject the munich
pality to ridicule.
IL Congress intended to make no great
er provision in 1913 than in 1912 for the
Districts needs 1t would be required in
strict accordance with the law to collect
in taxation no more from the District
taxpayers in 1913 than in 1912. But there
is no disposition to reduce the taxes.
There Is no tendency downward in any
of the obligations put upon the citizens,
although. the bill now pending is
drawn. there is a distinct downward drift
, in the returns they are to get from their
tax money In the form of municipal bet
terments and maintenance. The District
assessor estimates that the tax revenues
for the fiscal year 1913 will be sos ls0
more than during the current year. This
prospective increase I'm revenue raises an
obligation in accordance with the organic
act and common sense to expend the ad-
,i;ional funds intelligently in way to
bring maximum Of benefit to the grow
ing community. yet the House appro-
'priations committee proposes a budget
81. 159. 0'SJO less than the current law.
The virtual renewal Of the 1912 appro-
priation, when not actually cut down, as
the appropriation for 1913 is a confess
sion OF impotence and proof of incapacity
TO legislate intelligently for the District
of Columbia and a perfunctory turning
over of the labor of such intelligent
municipal legislation to the Senate. This
m:ss;'s paralysis in meeting fairy and
literally the equitable municipal obliga-
tons is i'm sharp contrast with the eager
ness shown by the House to spend money
for pensions and public buildings and
ri-er improvements. for which there is
ccnressedly political need. In short.
tho pending District bill seems to be
framed i'm accordan',. with this discredit-
able motto: Millions for votes. but not a
cent for equitable municipal obligations.