Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-12
PLAN OF APPROPRIATIONS
Half-and- d-Half System Made Subject
of Inquiry.
TESTIMONY OF R. w. .BEALL
Witness Believes Southern Building
Is One of the Most Valuable
in City.

What effect a change from the half
and-haf system of appropriat ton
would have on the general busi-
ness and taxation of the Dis
trict of. Columbia was discussed in the
insurance hearing testimony in the House
District committee room yesterday after
The Stars report had closed for the day.
The discussion occurred during the tes-
timony of r. w. Beal vice president of
the firm of Moore & Hill. who testified
that he believes the. Southern building
corner to be one of the most valuable in
the city. He followed James H. TAYLOR,
who also placed the property on a high
plane.
The half-and-half appropriation plan
nrst came into prominence during the
talk when Mr.. Beall said:
We have the finest government in the
world and have the finest city in the
world and the lowest taxes in the world
and we have the most efficient govern
ment in the world. We are looked after
by Congress and no other capital city in
the world is looked after by its govern
ment."
Fine Police Protection, Also.
Representative johnson inquired: "And
Yes. sir.
That is to say" said Representative
Prouty, you are looked after by Con-
gress by their contributing one-falf to
the payment Of your expenses, and they
do not do that for any other city in the
United States. Do you know of any
other municipality in the world where
the general government supports the
municipality like it does here?"
Mr.. Beall answered.:
Il read an article some time ago with
reference to Buenos Aires Argentine
Republic-a city having about 7.OOO.OOo
people-and there was some scale of
payment there; l would not like to
swear to these amounts, but it occurs
to me the amounts ran from $2,0OO,0O0'
or $2.5OO.0O0 a year up to larger
it was-that the general government
turns over to the city of Buenos Aires
as a gift, as 1T were. each year, to run
for a certain length of time"
Representative Johnson. Il will say
that am conducting an investigation Of
that kind, and 1 have been unable yet
to find country anywhere in the civil
ICED world that is subsidizing its
capital city as the United States is sub
the city of Washington"
Pursues the Subject.
Representative Prouty asked:
do you not think that has a great
deal to do with these marvelously high
priced values in the city Of Washington
the fact that they escape the burdens
that real estate ordinarily has to carry
in other cities Of similar size?''
IT don't think So
Representative Prouty continued:
CHI tl,xlr
that it makes every year
for the support Of the government of
the District Of Columbia, and this bur-
den would have to fall upon the taxable
property in the District of Columbia,
would it not have tendency to reduce
IT do not think it would very mate
rally
You think it would be just the same?'
1T might have some bearing on the
case
Representative Prouty then asked:
rs 1t your opinion that if Congress
1t has given to the District it would
increase the rate of taxation?'
"Yes. 1t would just double it," replied
Mr.. Beall.
But Little Effect on Value.
DO you think 1t would have any ef-
feet on it's value them"
II think the amount would fall so
small on each individual that it would
not cause much trouble. l do not think
the home-buyers would go out into
Virginia or Maryland to buy their
homes to escape the taxation. When it
would come down to question of bust
ness property. that inight cause them
to raise the rents.
Representative Johnson asked the wit
ness:
Have you gone into the question of
ascertaining whether or not the tax which
is now levied upon property in the Dis
trict of Columbia would support the
municipal government economically ad-
ministered?"
mo, sir, / have not
Knows of Nc Discrimination.
Have you any opinion as to whether
or not the subsidy that is annually ap-
proprated for the District of Columbia
does not go more to enhancing the prop
erty which is desired to be sold to the
government for parks than it does any
other property
II do not believe SO. / do not know
of all the instances, nor one-hftieth OF
them. / suppose. but In the purchases
made by the United States government
or the District government of property
here. in these cases / have heard any